• Athens - Guests will be collected from their hotel, apartment, Airbnb, or Piraeus port.

• Mount Parnassus - Located in central Greece, Mount Parnassus rises majestically above Delphi, north of the Gulf of Corinth. It offers numerous benefits to the Greek population. In times of peace, it provides breathtaking views of the countryside, featuring olive groves and rolling hills. The mountain is home to sites of historical, archaeological, and cultural significance, such as Delphi. Recreationally, Parnassus is ideal for hiking during the warmer seasons and skiing in winter. Its melting snow supplies water to nearby communities, extending as far as Athens. Composed of limestone, the mountain’s rock contains bauxite, an ore rich in aluminum. During wartime, Parnassus has served as a refuge and stronghold for resistance fighters.

• Monastery of Hosios Loukas - This historic walled monastery is located near Distomo in Boeotia, Greece. It is a significant monument of Middle Byzantine architecture and art, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the monasteries of Nea Moni and Daphnion. Situated on the slopes of Mount Helicon, the monastery was founded in the early 10th century AD by the hermit Venerable Luke of Steiris, whose relics remain there. The main shrine is the tomb of St. Luke, initially in the vault but later moved to the junction of the two churches. The monastery’s wealth, including construction funds, came from the relics of St. Luke, which were believed to exude myron, a perfumed oil with healing properties.

• Arachova - Arachova is a mountain town and former municipality in western Boeotia, Greece, originally known as Karyai. Its name, of South Slavic origin, refers to a place with walnut trees. Arachova is a popular tourist destination due to its mountainous location, traditions, and proximity to Delphi. The town offers panoramic views, quaint uphill houses, and cobbled streets showcasing picturesque architecture. The town center features a steep cliff with the Bell Tower, covered in dense ivy, topped by a large 10-meter-high clock. Arachova is renowned for its black wine, “brusque,” colorful textiles, carpets, rugs, handicrafts, and woodcut creations.

• Delphi - Arrival at the archaeological site of Delphi after a 2.5-hour journey.

Enjoy free time to explore:

• Sanctuaries of Apollo and Athena Pronaia
• Ancient stadium and theater

Duration: 30 minutes

• Tholos of Athena Pronaia - The tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronoia is a circular structure built between 380 and 360 BC. It features 20 Doric columns with an exterior diameter of 14.76 meters and 10 Corinthian columns inside. Located about 800 meters from the main ruins at Delphi, three Doric columns have been restored, making it a popular spot for tourist photos.

The gymnasium, half a mile from the main sanctuary, was a series of buildings used by Delphi’s youth. It had two levels: a stoa on the upper level for open space, and a palaestra, pool, and baths on the lower floor. These pools and baths were believed to have magical powers, allowing communication with Apollo.

• Delphi Archaeological Museum - One of Greece’s principal and most visited museums, operated by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Founded in 1903, it has been rearranged several times and houses discoveries from the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi, dating from the Late Helladic (Mycenean) period to the early Byzantine era. The museum, organized into fourteen rooms on two levels, 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, such as the Sphinx of Naxos. The exhibition space exceeds 2270m2, with storage and conservation rooms for mosaics and ceramics. Delphi’s modern museum, 500m east of town, complements the ancient site. Whether visited first or last, the treasures here bring ancient Delphi to life. Rich and powerful petitioners flocked to the site.
• Temple of Apollo - The Temple of Apollo, dedicated to the god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles, held the most significant position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC, marking the third temple built on this site. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated within the temple, chosen for a sacred chasm beneath it emitting vapors inhaled by the Pythia. Ancient writers claimed the Pythia entered a state of delirium, uttering cries that priests interpreted into oracles.
• Delphi - The Greeks shared many tales about Delphi’s origins. Initially sacred to Gaia, the ‘Mother Goddess,’ whose cult centered on the Korykeon Cave on Mt Parnassos, Apollo took the local name Apollo Pythios after slaying a snake or she-dragon (Pytho) here. For a millennium, pilgrims sought guidance at his sanctuary. Its fame peaked between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, after the Amphictyonic League, a federation of 12 tribal states, took control following the First Sacred War (595–586 BCE). As an autonomous state, Delphi prospered from benefactors like the kings of Lydia and Egypt and the Roman emperor Hadrian. Nominally neutral, it was a center of political power.
• The Tholos of Delphi - An intriguing architectural marvel within the archaeological site of Delphi, the Tholos offers insight into the ancient world and its rich tapestry of beliefs and traditions.

The Tholos of Athena Pronaia is a circular building with a distinctive design, featuring a ring of Doric columns around a central chamber. Built in the 4th century BCE, it served as a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Pronaia, a variant of the goddess Athena worshipped in Delphi. Standing before the elegant columns and intricate stonework of the Tholos, one can imagine the awe and reverence it inspired in ancient worshippers. In the shadow of Mount Parnassus and overlooking Delphi’s sacred precincts, this sanctuary was a focal point for religious rituals, offerings, and oracular consultations.

• Treasury of the Athenians - Built to commemorate victory at the Battle of Marathon.

From the entrance of the upper site, continuing up the slope on the Sacred Way almost to the Temple of Apollo, there are numerous votive statues and “treasuries” built by Greek city-states to commemorate victories and thank the oracle for her guidance, believed to have contributed to those victories.

These buildings housed offerings to Apollo, often a “tithe” or tenth of battle spoils. The most impressive is the restored Athenian Treasury, built to commemorate their victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.

The Siphnian Treasury was dedicated by the city of Siphnos, whose citizens gave a tithe from their silver mines until the mines were flooded by the sea. One of the largest treasuries was that of Argos.

• The Ancient Theater of Delphi - Built further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theater at Delphi offered spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the valley below. Originally constructed in the 4th century BC, the koilon (cavea) leaned against the mountain’s natural slope, while its eastern part spanned a creek that channeled water from the Cassotis fountain beneath the Temple of Apollo.

The orchestra was initially a full circle, with a diameter of 7 meters (23 feet). The rectangular scene building ended in two arched openings, with foundations preserved today. The theater could accommodate about 4,500 spectators.

Its façade was adorned with relief scenes from Hercules’ life. Further repairs and transformations occurred in the 2nd century AD, overseen by Herod Atticus, as mentioned by Pausanias. In antiquity, the theater hosted vocal and musical contests as part of the Pythia.

• Treasury of the Athenians - Stoa of the Athenians

The stoa, an open-sided, covered porch, is located along the base of the polygonal wall retaining the terrace on which the Temple of Apollo sits. The stoa opened to the Sacred Way. The nearby presence of the Treasury of the Athenians suggests this area of Delphi was used for Athenian business or politics, as stoas are typically found in marketplaces.

While Delphi’s architecture is generally Doric, a plain style in line with Phocian traditions, the Athenians preferred the Ionic order, which is floral and ornate, though not as much as the Corinthian. The remaining porch structure contains seven fluted columns, unusually carved from single stone pieces (most columns were constructed from a series of discs joined together). The inscription on the stylobate indicates it was built by the Athenians after their naval victory over the Persians in 478 BC, to house their war trophies.

• Delphi - Delphi’s Hippodrome Once Site of Chariot Races

At the Pythian Games, prominent political leaders like Cleisthenes, the tyrant of Sikyon, and Hieron, the tyrant of Syracuse, competed with their chariots. The hippodrome, where these events took place, was mentioned by Pindar and sought by archaeologists for over two centuries.

In 2012, Professor of Classical Archaeology Panos Valavanis announced the discovery of the hippodrome at “Gonia,” at the west end of the olive grove at Delphi, nearly 1.5 km northeast of Itea, running parallel and adjacent to the Kefali mountain range, between the Aghioi Anargyroi and Gla hills.

• Delphi - Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece

Enjoy free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with friends or shopping in Arahova Village.

• Delphi - Serpentine Column
  East of the site, a replica of the Serpentine Column, or Tripod of the Plataeans, was erected in 2015. The original bronze column commemorated the Greeks’ victory over the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea (479 BCE). Removed by Constantine the Great in AD 324, it now resides at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, in modern Istanbul.
• Delphi - Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with friends and family or shopping.
• Delphi - THE POLYGONAL WALL

This retaining wall was constructed to support the terrace housing the second Temple of Apollo in 548 BC. Its name derives from the polygonal masonry used in its construction. From 200 BC onward, the stones were inscribed with manumission contracts of slaves consecrated to Apollo. Approximately a thousand manumissions are recorded on the wall.

The sacred spring of Delphi, known as the Castalian Spring, is located in the ravine of the Phaedriades. The preserved remains of two monumental fountains that received water from the spring date to the Archaic and Roman periods, with the latter cut into the rock.

• Pick-up and drop-off service from Athens Hotel, Airbnb, or Port
• Luxurious sedan vehicles for groups of 1-3 people
• Modern, first-class private vehicle transportation
• Expert English-speaking Tour Drivers with historical knowledge
• Vehicles equipped with WiFi, A/C, and Bottled Water
• Fully Private Tour
• Comfortable mini vans for groups of 4-7 people

• Entry or admission fees for Archaelogical sites
• Entry /Admission-Archaelogical site Delphi
• Entry /Admission - Archaelogical Museum of Delphi
• Licensed guide to accompany you into archaeological sites
• Optional airport pick-up, available at an additional cost.
• Entrance fees for archaeological sites and museums.
• Meal in Arachova - Lunch stops are scheduled, but meal costs are not included
• Kindly note that gratuities and tips are not included in the price and are left to your discretion.

After a two hour road trip you will enjoy one of the most beautiful ancient Greek cities and the most important oracle of antiquity, located on the slopes of mountain Parnassos.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Delphi, home of the 4th-century-BC Temple of Apollo on this private, full day excursion from Athens. Travel in private, 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.
The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo features, was the site of the omphalos, the ‘navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious centre and symbol of unity of the Ancient Greek World

The Last Oracle

The site was sacked by Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 86 BC during the Mithridatic Wars

• Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.

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