Archaeology vacations in Greece
Apart from philosophy, science and democracy; what have the ancient Greeks ever done for us?
Ok, ok, you can throw moussaka and Yanis Varoufakis in there too; but apart from that...?![]()
Ok, ok, you can throw moussaka and Yanis Varoufakis in there too; but apart from that...?
Sure there are one or two archaeological sites that might be worth a visit, if you're on the mainland: Athens, Delphi and Olympia, for instance. The Peloponnese is obviously significant for Sparta; and the Asklepieion of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC, is considered the 'cradle of medicinal arts', apparently; but other than that...?
Yeah, yeah...the temples of Zeus, Apollo and Hera are regarded as some of the most important archaeological sites on the planet, and proposals for the Corinth Canal – one of mankind's greatest feats of engineering – originated around the 1st century AD; but...?
All right, I'm interested – what else have the ancient Greeks done for us?
An archaeology vacation in Greece may just be the perfect way to find out.
Our Greece Vacations
Archaeology vacation in Greece
A small-group archaeology tour of Greece
From
€1380
8 days
ex flights
Greece biking vacation, archaeology tour
Discover Greek history and the Greek seaside beauty by bike!
From
€435 to €750
8 days
ex flights
Greece archaeology and activity vacation
Discover Greek history in an active way
From
€1380
8 days
ex flights
Archaeological tour of The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese Through Ancient Sites with Expert Guide
From
£1500
8 days
ex flights
Ancient Greece & beach vacation, small group
10-Day tour of Greece including the Island of Santorini
From
£1529 to £2051
10 days
ex flights
Peloponnese vacation, cultural tour in Greece
Varied historical sight seeing of the northern Peloponnese
From
US $2410 to US $2540
13 days
ex flights
WHERE DO I START?
Tripoli, in the central Peloponnese, and Athens, on the mainland, as well as the smaller port town of Nafplio, on the northeast Peloponnese coast, offer easy access to a succession of sites. In fact, the whole of the Peloponnese is like an extensive archaeological museum and an archaeology vacation allows you to uncover the ancient world, one temple or amphitheatre at a time.
You can join a small group of likeminded amateur archaeologists and share your thoughts and ruminations in between wine tasting and free afternoons for socialising, shopping or lazing by the beach. You'll visit locations that are off the typical tourist trail, where a stout pair of walking shoes are as essential as a Greek phrase book. You'll stay in small, family run hotels and guesthouses where home cooked meals tempt you back to base after a day spent exploring amongst ancient tombs.
You can join a small group of likeminded amateur archaeologists and share your thoughts and ruminations in between wine tasting and free afternoons for socialising, shopping or lazing by the beach. You'll visit locations that are off the typical tourist trail, where a stout pair of walking shoes are as essential as a Greek phrase book. You'll stay in small, family run hotels and guesthouses where home cooked meals tempt you back to base after a day spent exploring amongst ancient tombs.
Local guides are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about archaeology, and their zest and vigour catapults the characters and events of ancient Greece into life. Traveling to parts of the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland, out of reach of busy beaches, also allows local people to benefit from your stay. Hoteliers, restaurateurs, shopkeepers, drivers will all welcome travelers with open arms, especially if you’re willing to bid a warm kalimera or kalispera at the start or close of each day. So, in some respects, an archaeology vacation in Greece is not only about discovering what the ancient Greeks have done for us but it's also about what we can do for them and for ourselves.
Our top Greece Vacation
Archaeology vacation in Greece
A small-group archaeology tour of Greece
From
€1380
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 29 Oct
2022: 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 29 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Greece or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Archaeological sites in Greece
Olympia
The site of the ancient Olympic Games is in the western Peloponnese. This stadia was designed in roughly the 4th century BCE to hold up to 40,000 spectators who'd flock to see feats of strength and athleticism, including chariot racing in the purpose-built hippodrome. Key sites include the Temple of Zeus (built later in 5th century BC), the Temple of Hera, the Olympic flame altar and the antiquities held within the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, including statues of Nike, Hermes and Zeus.Delphi
Considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the world, Delphi was originally built in the 4th century BCE to perch on the slopes of Mount Parnassus on the south-central Greek mainland. Delphi was the sanctuary for Pythia, the high priestess and prophet, and tours of this site include the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi theatre, the Athenian Treasury, athletic stadia and gymnasiums, and the legendary site of the Castalian Spring.The Acropolis
This is one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites. No trip to Athens is complete without picking your way through Plaka's narrow alleyways en route to the ruined citadel of the Acropolis overlooking the capital. The Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea Gateway, the Erechtheion and the Parthenon were all built under the instruction of Greek General Pericles in the 5th century BCE. They now provide a portal to the past, especially in conjunction with a visit to the Acropolis Museum.Mycenae
Situated in the northeast Peloponnese, Mycenae was built towards the end of the Bronze Age, and formed one of ancient Greece’s mightiest military bastions boasting a powerful position both physically and strategically. Tours of Mycenae let you walk through the monumental Lion Gate before entering the ruined realm of King Agamemnon. Nearby Nafplio offers easy access to Mycenae as well as its very own Venetian fortress, Palamidi, viable if you fancy climbing the 999 steps to the top. Fortune, and great views, favour the brave.Sparta
Set at the foot of the highest point of the Peloponnese, Mount Taygetus, scant remnants from the ancient settlement/state of Sparta (431 to 404 BC) sit alongside the much more intact, fortified citadel and 13th century monasteries of Mystras – the most important Byzantine archaeological site in existence. Prepare for plenty of steps as you make your way to the statue of Leonidas and one of the largest ancient amphitheatres on earth, standing tall on top of the Sparta Acropolis.Tegea
The Arcadian settlement of Tegea, situated just outside Tripoli in the center of the Peloponnese, dates back some 2,500 years, and was one of the ancient Greeks’ most important centers for worship. It features the ruined temple to the goddess Athena Alea, the second largest on the Peloponnese. Nearby Tripoli makes for a great base if you’re visiting Tegea and also features Arcadia’s ancient antiquities within the city’s archaeology museum.WHEN TO GO ON AN ARCHAEOLOGY HOLIDAY IN GREECE
Summers in Greece can be baking hot and there's little or no shade in and around many of the archaeological sites. Best advice is to go on an archaeology vacation in Greece any time outside of midsummer; March and April or September and October are ideal. However, if you don't mind packing waterproofs and long sleeves, November, December and January allow explorations of ancient sites without another soul in sight.
More about Greece
When is the best time to visit Greece? Summer (July to September) is idyllic, and we'll help you escape the crowds.
Our Greece travel guide is as smooth as olive oil, as appealing as a deserted Cycadean island in May, and, dare we say it, as interesting as a tour around the classical sites of the Peloponnese.
Learn where to go and make the most of your time as you pore over our Greece map & itineraries which will take you from Thessaloniki & Mt Olympus in the north to the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and Crete, further south.
Find out what Responsible Travel recommend for traveling in Greece with kids, including Minotaurs, the Med and magic mountains that should never be far from any family-friendly itinerary.
Discover our recommended things to do in Greece ranging from sublime sailing sites and Byzantine island churches to walking in the sandal steps of Ulysses, or paddling the pristine coastlines of Mediterranean island idylls.
Greece walking vacations take you along mountain trails and coastal paths with plenty of ancient sites and natural wonders to keep an eye out for along the way.
Greece self drive vacations put you in full control of how your vacation unfolds, whether you want to hike mountains or visit little out-of-the-way beaches for an authentic take on Greek life.
Discover the benefits of a Greece sailing vacation as you contemplate life in the Cyclades, and beyond, from an on board perspective that’s bound to be as relaxing as it will be exhilarating.
Small ship cruising in Greece is about experiencing island life at a relaxed pace, not about being bombarded by entertainment on a floating hotel.
Take yourself off for a week in Greece as you discover the delights of yoga vacations where the sun always shines and the food is just as fresh as the breeze skimming off the Aegean.
With between 1,200 and 6,000 islands, from tiny uninhabited specks to large rocky land masses, Greece is without parallel when it comes to island variety.
Rightfully popular and wildly beautiful, the Cyclades archipelago holds over 200 islands, which are largely mountainous and mostly uninhabited.
At just an hour and a half from Athens, the charms of the Peloponnese are well known to locals, but for international travelers, this peninsula lags far behind the Greek Islands in popularity.
While many people concentrate on the Greek islands, it’s well worth spending some time in the capital.
Wellness vacations in Greece connect you with the therapeutic powers of Mediterranean sea and sunshine – and its healing herbs and plants, which have sustained and revived since the time of the Gods.
Volunteering vacations in Greece give you the chance to work with animal charities that, thanks to the economic crisis, need all hands on deck.
Multi activity vacations in Greece are like an epic: you’ll sail the Aegean, battle your way through white water rapids, hike Olympic mountains, and swim in seas with ancient sea creatures.
Greece travel advice should always start with those who know it best which is why we’ve asked our suppliers to give us their recommendations alongside a few pearls of wisdom related to health & safety in Greece.
Everyone should want to find out how to travel right in Greece, which is why our responsible tourism in Greece page is devoted to helping you preserve the wildlife & environment of this gorgeous part of southern Europe.
From idyllic island-hopping to hiking between fascinating archaeological sites and sublime cycling, find your perfect vacation, and stacks of information on what to see and do, with all our Greece guides in one place.
