• Corinth Canal - The Full Day Sparta tour begins with a 45-mile journey along the National highway, leading to the renowned Corinth Canal, also known as the Isthmus Canal, which links the Saronic Sea with the Corinthian Sea. This canal, completed in the late 19th century, was a dream over 2000 years in the making. Prior to its construction, ships in the Aegean Sea aiming to reach the Adriatic or dock in Corinth, a prosperous shipping hub, had to navigate around the Peloponnese, adding an extra 185 nautical miles to their voyage. It is believed that Periander, the tyrant of Corinth (602 BC), first envisioned the Corinth Canal. Due to the complexity of the project and the limited technology of the era, Periander built the diolkós, a stone road that allowed ships to be transported on wheeled platforms. In 67 AD, Emperor Nero attempted to construct the canal with 6,000 slaves, but his assassination halted the plans. The canal was finally completed in the last decade of the 19th century.

• Archaeological Museum of Sparta - After a 2-hour drive through the central Peloponnese mountains, the tour arrives at Sparta, a significant city-state in Ancient Greece, located on the banks of the Eurotas River in Laconia, southeastern Peloponnese. Discoveries at this archaeological site were first uncovered by the British School of Archaeology’s pioneering excavations starting in 1910. Excavations resumed in the early 1990s, focusing on the ancient theatre and merchant stalls.

The most notable monuments at this archaeological site include:

The Temple of Athena Chalkioikos, identified by a few surviving relics at the northwest end of the Acropolis. The ancient theater of Sparta, on the south side of the Acropolis, dates back to the early Imperial Period. The orchestra, the retaining wall with inscriptions of Spartan rulers from Roman times, and the concave section of the large theater have been preserved. The so-called Circular Building of Unknown Destination is a circular structure made of hewn blocks and smaller stones. The preserved section, possibly due to Roman repairs, appears to have been an important building in ancient Spartan life (the Skias).

The remains of merchant stalls next to the ancient theater, discovered in recent excavations by the British School, seem to be from the Roman Imperial period. The relics of a grand Basilica from the mid Byzantine Era have been linked to the Basilica of Saint Nikon (10th century AD).

Concluding the visit to the archaeological site of Sparta, travelers will proceed to the archaeological museum of Sparta. The museum houses thousands of artifacts from the province of Lacedaemon, as well as from other areas of the Laconian prefecture not included in the archaeological collections of Gytheion and Neapolis Vion. The exhibits span from the Neolithic to the Later Roman eras, with significant findings from Sparta’s great sanctuaries taking center stage. Visitors can admire materials from the major prehistoric sites of Laconia, sculptures from the Archaic to Roman eras found throughout the prefecture, and artifacts from rescue excavations, including notable Roman mosaic floors from Sparta. Additionally, the museum features a few but highly valuable epigraphs, offering rare insights into the area’s history.

• Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil - The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta (Peloponnese) immerses visitors in the culture, history, and technology of olive and olive oil production in Greece, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. The museum provides an opportunity to explore the earliest evidence of the olive tree’s presence and olive oil production in Greece. For each historical period, visitors will learn about the olive and olive oil’s contributions to the economy and daily life, including nutrition, body care, and now obsolete uses like lighting.

• Mystras - Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea,’ developed down the hillside from the fortress built in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William II of Villehardouin, atop a 620 m high hill overlooking Sparta. The Franks surrendered the castle to the Byzantines in 1262, making it the center of Byzantine power in southern Greece, initially as the military governor’s base and from 1348 as the seat of the Despotate of Morea. Captured by the Turks in 1460, it was subsequently occupied by them and the Venetians. After 1834, Mystras’ inhabitants gradually relocated to modern Sparta, leaving behind breathtaking medieval ruins in a stunning landscape. Many monasteries were established there, including the Brontochion and the monastery of Christos Zoodotes (Christ the Giver of Life). Under the Despots, Mystras flourished with the construction of churches, exemplary of Late Byzantine church architecture, such as Hagioi Theodoroi (1290-1295), the Hodegetria (c. 1310), the Hagia Sophia (1350-1365), the Peribleptos (3rd quarter of the 14th century), the Evangelistria (late 14th – early 15th century), and the Pantanassa (c. 1430). The city played a significant role on the political stage of the time and was developed and beautified to reflect its status as a center of power and culture. Mystras’ complex history is evident in its fortifications, palaces, churches, convents, houses, streets, and public squares. Mystras is an exceptional example of late Byzantine culture that influenced the Mediterranean world and beyond.

• On-board WiFi
• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Professional Drivers (Not licensed to accompany you into the sites)
• Private transportation

• Lunch
• Local licensed tour guide (Optional / 240 Euros payable in cash). Subject to availability.
• Airport pickup/drop-off on request (additional fee varies by vehicle type)
• Gratuities
• Entrance fees

Discover the rich history of Sparta, featuring the Mystras fortress, known as the ‘wonder of the Morea,’ and the famed “300” warriors led by King Leonidas, on an all-day excursion departing from Athens.

Why Choose Hellenic Private Tours?

• Customizable Tours and Services: Designed to meet your specific preferences.
• Expert Drivers: Professional and certified, with fluency in English.
• Top-Quality Vehicles: Modern Mercedes sedans, minivans, and minibuses, all well-maintained and officially licensed for tourism.
• Outstanding Client Reviews: Praised by travelers worldwide.
• Responsive Customer Support: A dedicated team ready to assist you promptly.
• Experienced Tour Guides: Access to a wide network of licensed and seasoned guides, available upon request.
• Your English- speaking driver will explain about the ancient monuments that you are about to visit, the ancient history of Greece and interesting facts about historical and modern-day Greece but is not allowed by law to accompany you in the sites. If you wish to have a licensed tour guide to accompany you into the sites, we will help you arrange a licensed tour guide to be with you at an extra cost
• Your tour is totally private. No unknown passengers will participate in your group.
• Infant car seats are available upon request

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.