How To Spend 10 Days In Mainland Greece

As everyone knows, Greece is a beautiful country that has so much more to offer than the
islands. With over 130,000 square kilometers, mainland Greece is blessed with rugged
mountains, spectacular coasts, and unique archaeological wonders. Here is a great itinerary
suggestion that will allow you to see most of the country. Starting in Athens, make your way
around the stunning mainland all the way to Thessaloniki and back.

DAY 1: Athens Corinth Epidaurus Nafplio

2 hours 30 min

Start in Athens and drive to Corinth by the coastal road Olimpia Odos/A8/E94. Visit
the site of the ancient city of Corinth and climb the Acrocorinth, a fortified hill a few
kilometers away. After the visit, drive on to the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its
remarkable acoustics, via EO Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou. While youre there,
make a stop at Palea Epidaurus where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood at one
of the small taverns at the port. Then proceed to Nafplio, and for the rest of the day,
explore. For a tasty dinner, head to Es Aei, Enoteca and Tapas Bar, a delightful
spot where the wine list will make any wine bar blush.
DAY 2: Nafplio Mycenae Olympia
2 hours 50 min

After a hearty breakfast at 3Sixty, drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological
site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. The Citadel, one of the most impressive
archaeological sites in the region, is definitely worth a visit. Later, head
to Olympia through Central Peloponnesus.

DAY 3: Olympia Delphi

3 hours 30 min

You are now in the cradle of the Olympic Games, so make the most of it. Visit the
archaeological site with the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium, and
the Archaeological Museum, and try to imagine what the ancient games were like.
Then drive on to your next destination: Delphi. You will be able to cross the
Corinthian Bay via the Rio-Antirrio Bridge and drive by Nafpaktos (Lepanto) to
finally arrive in Delphi.
DAY 4: Delphi Kalampaka
3 hours 30 min

In the morning, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi. After your
visit, depart for Kalampaka, the small city sitting at the foot of the stunning complex
of Meteora. Perched on top of the rocky peaks, ageless monasteries defy the laws
of gravity.

DAY 5: Kalampaka Kastoria

1 hour 40 min

Leave for Kastoria. You will see that the charming area, with its quaint villages and
lush forests, has stunning architecture, with stone houses perched on the mountain
blocks. So skip the hotel and choose to stay in one of them for a real experience.
Spend the rest of the day visiting Kastoria, an ancient Byzantine city with over 70
churches. Though you may not have time to see them all, several are worth visiting.
One of them is the Panagia Koumbelidiki with its 13th-century frescos. Stroll along
the shaded path around the headland that overlooks the city.
DAY 6: Kastoria Agios Germanos, Prespa Lakes
50 min

In the morning, make your way to the Prespa lakes and stay in a
charming secluded stone house in the most beautiful village in the region, Agios
Germanos. Then head out to admire the majestic Prespa lakes. Spend the day
exploring one of the wildest regions in Greece. The lakes, surrounded
by Albania and FYROM, stand at 800 meters above sea level. The area is
protected and offers plenty of hiking paths. It is also a unique region where you can
watch hundreds of wild animals and birds. For dinner, you should try to score some
delicious fresh trout in a restaurant by the lake.

DAY 7: Agios Germanos Thessaloniki

2 hours 40 minutes

Make your way to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Throughout the
era of the Byzantine Empire, the city was the co-capital, second to
Constantinople/Istanbul. Wander in the center and get the feel of the glorious past
of the city, which has some of the oldest churches in the Christian world. And do
pay a visit to the Museum of Byzantine Culture.
DAY 8: Thessaloniki Veroia
1 hour

Venture into the spectacular Thessaloniki plain to get to Veroia (or Veria), a small
city located at the foot of the Macedonian hills. But before you get there, make a
stop at Vergina to see the royal burial site. It includes the tomb of Philip II of
Macedonia, discovered in 1977.Veroia was called the little Jerusalem because of
the 72 churches it had. Nowadays, about ten of them are still standing, so you know
what you have to do. Before visiting, refresh yourself and settle down at
this minimalist apartment before venturing out.

DAY 9: Veroia Portaria

2 hours 30 minutes

On your way to Portaria, you will pass along the stunning Mount Olympus, home of
the gods and the highest mountain in Greece, rising more than 2,900 meters above
sea level. Pass Volos, a large port at the foot of Mount Pelion, and continue your
journey towards Portaria, a cute little village tucked away in the hills. Stay at the
elegant Hotel Despotiko and get some rest
(https://www.hostelbay.com/el/hotels/greece/hotel-despotiko?ar=908035&n=1&rop
=2-0#avail)
DAY 10: Portaria Volos Athens
3 hours 40 min

You are almost at the end of your road trip, so make the most of it. Wind your way
down the roads of the peninsula, discovering its small villages and splendid
beaches. If you are tired of driving, use the old mule cobbled paths, the kalderimia,
which connects some villages together. After a beautiful day exploring, why not stop
at the Thermopylae (the Hot Gate) to pay tribute to Leonidas I, who resisted against
the Persian armies of King Xerxes I, on your way back to Athens? Does this sound
familiar? Of course, the story is the simplified plot of the movie 300, starring
hunk Gerard Butler. Molon labe! or Come and take them.