Cycling in Greece

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start Athens

   You'll begin at your hotel in the capital of Greece. In the evening, you'll have a welcome briefing, in which you'll meet the tour leader and come together for the first time. Get some rest tonight, the cycling starts early tomorrow.
   

   • Athens Hotel
2. Day 2Explore Athens by bike; ferry to Poros; cycle around the island

   In the morning, you'll cycle down one of the major bike lanes in the city, heading to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where you'll take a short transfer to the busy port of Piraeus. Here you'll catch the ferry (approximately 2hr 30min) across the Argo-Saronic Gulf to the island of Poros.
   
   In Poros, you'll cycle around the island, passing the Russian naval base and many small, beautiful bays. After an ascent to the temple of Poseidon, you'll have a steep descent to Askeli beach where your hotel is located and you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
   
   Please note that the ferry timetable is often modified at very short notice. On occasion, you may have to take an early ferry.

   Route: First part is flat with a gradual downhill in Athens. The second part is a gradual ascent to Poseidon’s Temple, then undulating and then steep downhill to your hotel. Terrain: 100% paved road.
   
   
   

   • 17.4 miles
   • 1,423.9 ft
     1,423.9 ft
   • Poros Hotel
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Boat to Galatas and scenic coastal ride to the ancient site of Epidaurus

   In the morning, after a walking tour of Poros town, you'll take a five-minute boat ride to the Peloponnese mainland. Cycling through olive groves and quiet hamlets, you'll start your ascent along one of the most impressive coastlines in Greece, enjoying views of the Aegean Sea. The tour takes you through ancient Trizina, the birthplace of the Minotaur-slaying hero Theseus. Not far away is the beach, where you can have a short break, swim and a small lunch.
   
   The fantastic views throughout today’s ride are your reward for two big ascents – over 2.5mi (4km) and 1.85mi (3km) – that you'll climb after lunch. They lead to a 1.2mi (2km) steep descent to the ancient town of Epidaurus. Palia Epidaurus (Old Epidaurus) is built around a natural harbour and is your base for the night.
   
   Route: The first part is flat with a gradual downhill in Athens. The second part is a gradual ascent to Poseidon’s Temple, then undulating and then steep downhill to your hotel. Terrain: 100% paved road.
   
   
   

   • 28.6 miles
   • 2,381.9 ft
     2,381.9 ft
   • Epidaurus Hotel
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Optional visit to the theater of Epidaurus; cycle to Tolo

   After an uphill ride of approximately 6mi (10km), there is an optional visit to the ancient site of Epidaurus. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a 15,000-seater amphitheater, which was built for Asclepius, the god of medicine, and is renowned for its size, symmetry and acoustics. If you don’t want to go in, relax in the shaded gardens or cafeterias outside the site.
   
   After refuelling, you'll have a 1.2mi (2km) uphill ride, then a 6.2mi (10km) descent through some mountain roads towards the sea. The last ascent today is almost 1mi (1.5km) and takes you to the town of Tolo, where you'll stay tonight.
   
   Route: Long but gradual ascent to Lygourio, short ascent after the Epidaurus Theater and a long, steep and bumpy decent towards the sea, then almost flat until Tolo except for a small ascent. Terrain: 99% paved road.
   
   
   
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • 2,188.3 ft
     2,188.3 ft
   • Tolo Hotel
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Visit Nafplio; head into the heart of the Peloponnese to Mycenae

   Leaving Tolo, you'll cycle on the main road for 7.5mi (12km) and make your way to Nafplio, one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and the capital in the early 1800s. Situated on the hillsides at the northern end of the Argolic Gulf, the town has numerous neoclassical buildings plus the Palamidi Castle. Today, you can also enjoy an off-road adventure: a 6.2mi (10km) round trip to the beach nearest Karathonas, enjoying the beautiful coastline and a swim. After returning, you'll leave the coast and start your ride to the heart of the Peloponnese, making your way to Mycenae.
   
   You'll cycle through orange groves until starting an ascent of 3mi (5km) to an archaeological site at the top of the hill. The imposing Lion Gate, built around 1350-1200 BCE, awaits. Outside the walls, you can see the wonders for which Mycenae is known: the vault-shaped tombs of Lions, Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, and the Treasury of Atreus. An optional visit to the site is highly recommended.
   
   Route: Flat to Nafplio, then dirt road to Karathonas Beach, then flat and, at the end, a long ascent to Mycenae. Terrain: 80% paved, 20% dirt road.
   

   • 29.2 miles
   • 1,594.5 ft
     1,594.5 ft
   • Mycenae Hotel
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Explore the wine-producing town of Nemea; visit a vineyard; continue to Loutraki

   Today is the longest ride! You'll start by gradually climbing on the main road for 8mi (13km) until reaching Ancient Nemea, where Hercules killed the Nemean lion and where the Nemean games were held. Here you'll visit an archaeological site and ancient stadium before riding through vineyards.
   
   The town of Nemea is now known for producing exceptional wine and you'll visit one of the wineries, learn about the process and taste (a little) before continuing your journey on quiet country roads. The first part is undulating, then you'll have a 6.2mi (10km) descent towards the Gulf of Corinth. You'll continue by the seaside to Corinth and then Loutraki, where you'll spend the night.
   
   Route: Gradual but long uphill to the winery then an undulating section, followed by a gradual decent towards the sea and then almost completely flat towards the hotel. Terrain: 100% paved road.
   
   
   

   • 39.1 miles
   • 1,719.2 ft
     1,719.2 ft
   • Loutraki Hotel
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Bus to Athens; guided tour of the Acropolis

   From Loutraki, you'll take the bus to Athens and the metro to Plaka, the historic downtown. Here you'll enjoy a guided tour of the Acropolis before a walking tour of the city centre. The route takes you at a relaxed pace to some of the must-see sites: Monastiraki Square and the Ancient Library, the Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, the Greek Parliament and the National Gardens, and the monumental 19th-century buildings of the oldest Greek university. Enjoy a free evening to sample more delicious Greek food.
   

   • Athens Hotel
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8End Athens

   The trip ends after breakfast. However, if you’d like more time to explore this fascinating ancient city, let us know.
   
   

   • Breakfast