Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery full day private tour from Athens
Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery full day private tour from Athens
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this private, full-day excursion from Athens. Delphi, home of the 4th-century-BC Temple of Apollo and the Middle Byzantine architecture Monastery of Hosios Loukas. Travel in luxury, air-conditioned vehicles and get around all the sites your group is interested in visiting within the extensive mountainside archaeological complex before returning comfortably to Athens.
- Visit Hosios Loukas, a historic walled monastery situated near the town of Distomo - Stop at the Delphi ruins, the Temple of Apollo, and Delphi Archaeological Museum - See the sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia, ancient stadiums, and theatres - Your guides are not official site guides but can explain all about the sites on the way to and from Delphi
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Athens
You will get picked up from your hotel, apartment, Airbnb, Athens airport, or Piraeus port.
10 minutesLivadia
The area around Livadeia is mountainous, with farming activities mainly confined to the valleys. The area has traditionally been associated with the production and processing of cotton and tobacco, as well as the cultivation of cereal crops and the raising of livestock. The city is also known for having participated in the War of Troy in allegiance with Mycenae.
Monastery of Hosios Loukas
The main shrine of the monastery is the tomb of St. Luke, originally situated in the vault, but later placed at the juncture of the two churches. The monastery derived its wealth (including funds required for construction) from the fact that the relics of St. Luke were said to have exuded myron, a sort of perfumed oil which produced healing miracles.
30 minutesMount Parnassus
Mount Parnassus offers many advantages to the population of Greece. In peace, it possesses scenic views of the countryside and features olive groves and rolling hills. The mountain is also the location of historically, archaeologically, and culturally significant places of interest (such as Delphi). Recreationally, the slopes of Parnassus provide a medium for hiking (in the three warm seasons) and are skied in winter. Its melting snows provide water to the surrounding communities, reaching out as far as Athens. The mountain is composed of limestone, and its rock contains bauxite, ore that is rich in aluminum. In war, Parnassus has been a center of resistance if need be, providing cover and refuge to partisans.
Arachova
Arachova has a panoramic view, uphill small houses, and the cobbled streets show a picturesque architecture. The town center includes a huge and steep cliff, the Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. At the top of the tower is a large 10m height clock. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its "brusque", the colorful textiles, carpets and rugs, handicrafts, and woodcut creations as well.
Delphi
- ancient stadium and theater
30 minutesDelphi Archaeological Museum
Organized in fourteen rooms on two levels, the museum mainly displays statues, including the famous Charioteer of Delphi, architectural elements, like the frieze of the Siphnian Treasury, and ex-votos dedicated to the sanctuary of Pythian Apollo, like the Sphinx of Naxos. The exhibition floor space is more than 2270m2, while the storage and conservation rooms (mosaics, ceramics, and metals) take up 558m2.
1 hourTemple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo, god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles occupied the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The edifice with the partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC; it is the third temple built at the same place. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated inside the temple, the location chosen, according to one tradition, due to a sacred chasm beneath the site emitting vapors, which were inhaled by the Pythia. Some ancient writers state that the Pythia then entered a state of delirium and uttering inarticulate cries, which were then turned into equivocal oracles by the priests. This interpretation is controversial, and has been challenged by scholars such as Joseph Fontenrose and Lisa Maurizio, who argue that the ancient sources uniformly represent the Pythia speaking intelligibly, and giving prophecies in her own voice.
1 hourDelphi
Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping.
1 hourArachova
Free time for a coffee before we start our trip back to Athens.
30 minutesIncluded
- Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
- Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Bottled water
- Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
Not Included
- Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
- Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
- Gratuities
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
- Our company complies with all the health instructions of the World Health Organization about COVID-19
- Most travelers can participate
- Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- Our company complies with all the health instructions of the World Health Organization about COVID-19
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.