Athens and Epirus ancient sites trip - 8 days

Arrive in historic Athens, a captivating first stop on your Greece travel experience. A private car meets you at the airport and takes you straight to your centrally located accommodation.

Use the rest of the day to stroll at your own pace, discover local cafés and wine bars, and enjoy your first views of iconic landmarks glowing after dark, as the city’s ancient past blends with its energetic contemporary scene.

Collect your car in central Athens and drive northwest through changing landscapes toward historic Arta. Explore the famed stone bridge over the Arachthos River and admire the Byzantine beauty of Panagia Parigoritisa.

Pause for lunch in a riverside taverna, tasting local recipes and fresh produce. Continue to Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, for an evening stroll by Lake Pamvotida, lively cafés, and atmospheric old streets.

Soak up the multicultural history of Ioannina inside its walled Castle, Greece’s oldest Byzantine fortress and a fascinating stop on any Greece itinerary. Later, stroll along Lake Pamvotida and take a boat to its tiny island, dotted with former monastic retreats, stone alleys, and charming folk art shops.

Continue to Zitsa village for a vineyard visit with local dishes and distinctive Epirus wines, then pause at the impressive Theofegyro rock arch over the Kalamas River. Spend the afternoon back in Ioannina, exploring its cafés and silversmith workshops.

Set out to discover the wild beauty of the Zagori region, one of Europe’s most exquisite and diverse ecosystems. Wander through the traditional Zagorochoria villages on the slopes of Mitsikeli Mountain, following cobblestone paths past stone mansions and 18th and 19th-century churches.

Pause for lunch in a local taverna and taste authentic Epirus cuisine before continuing to Monodentri for breathtaking views over Vikos Gorge. Later, visit Kipi to see the iconic three-arched Kokkoris Bridge, then return to Ioannina in the evening for a relaxed night by the lake.

Uncover the legends of Dodona, one of the best places to visit in Greece for travelers drawn to ancient myth and sacred landscapes. Explore the atmospheric sanctuary and oracle of Zeus, imagine priests reading the rustling leaves of the sacred oak, and walk among the Hellenistic Theatre and the remains of the Hiera Oikia.

Continue through the dramatic Paramythia mountains toward the Ionian coast and Parga. Swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of Parga Beach, then relax over a lingering dinner at a beachside restaurant tailored to your taste.

Tour Cassope, Necromanteion, and the banks of the Acheron River, where ancient history and myth feel especially close. Walk the ancient streets of Cassope, exploring its city walls, theater, odeon, agora, Prytaneion, and Temple of Aphrodite.

Continue to Necromanteion, the legendary gateway to Hades, with mysterious underground passages once used for oracles of the dead. Then follow the Acheron River from Glyki to Ammoudia, with the option to join a myth-filled boat ride.

Relax on Ammoudia’s beach, savor fresh seafood in a seaside taverna, and return to Parga for a leisurely evening.

Step into the Roman city of Nicopolis, founded in 31 BC by Emperor Augustus Octavian after his victory at Actium. Explore its impressive fortification walls, theater, odeon, Monument of Augustus, stadium, and nymphaeum.

Dive deeper into the site’s history at the modern Archaeological Museum of Nicopolis, home to sculptures, inscriptions, and artifacts from the ancient city. Continue to the coastal town of Preveza for a leisurely lunch in a traditional taverna, then return to Athens and relax after the journey.

Savor your final morning in Athens at your own pace. Enjoy a relaxed stroll through charming neighborhoods, browse local boutiques for last-minute treasures, or linger at a café over Greek pastries and coffee.

Later, a comfortable private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.