Marathon, Thermopylae/ Herodotus History private tour (9 hours)
Description
We visit Marathon & Thermopylae as travelers, not as tourists. We get as excited as you to travel, to enjoy the history, scenery & photography. If you want to see most of Marathon & Thermopylae, then we suggest to combine both sites in a full day tour. Schedule is flexible, but most importantly we will view the sites from all different angles. The day starts with a convenient pickup and takes you to the Marathon battle fields, Athenian Tomb, Marathon Bay & Museum. Next we drive via Marathon lake to Thermopylae. Visit the battle fields & King Leonidas Monument, Kolonos hill, Hot springs (Therms) & Interactive Museum. Continue to mount Parnassus to walk in Anopaia Odos (The path which traitor Efialtis guided the Persian army). Visit Damasta Monastery and see the view from above. This is a tour strictly to see the battlefields and the scenery (drive via mountains & coast), there are few ancient ruins to see. Finish the day with a lunch or dinner in front the sea.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit Marathon battle fields and read the amazing history that is captured by the location and the burial mound, fill the area with a unique meaning. This 10m-high tumulus, or burial mound, sits 1km west of Marathon bay. Ticket: 10€ Reduced: 5€ Every Tuesday closed
These battle fields become, one of the most popular coastal resorts in Attica located 45 km north east of Athens. Marathon bay or Schinias has a great reputation for its crystalline waters and the comfortable facilities.
5 km from Marathon bay, this excellent museum displays local discoveries from various periods, including Neolithic pottery from the Cave of Pan and finds from the Tomb of the Athenians.
The Athens Marathon is like no other on Earth. Starting line is in Marathon modern town and the finish line is in Athens’ magnificent Olympic Stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.
Lake Marathon is a water supply reservoir formed from the construction of Marathon Dam at the junction of Charadros and Varnavas Torrents near the town of Marathon, Greece. It was the primary water supply for Athens from 1931, when it became operational, until 1959. In 1959 water from Lake Yliki became available.
Thermopylae is world-famous for the battle that took place there between the Greek forces (notably the Spartans) and the invading Persian forces, commemorated by Simonides in the famous epitaph, "Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here obedient to their laws we lie. This passage from north to south along the east coast of Greek peninsula requires use of the pass and for this reason Thermopylae has been the site of several battles.
Next to the monument of Leonidas, in the historic Thermopylae, lies the innovative museum, dedicated to the 480 BC battle that changed the course of Greek history. Ticket 3€
The baths of Thermopylae is known for the battle of Thermopylae between the Greeks and Persians in 480 b.C. The Hot Gates is "the place of hot springs" and in Greek mythology it is the cavernous entrances to Hades.
The Anopaia atrapos was a path, an impassable secret passage that ended at a very short distance from the third strait of Thermopylae. In 480 BC in the battle of Thermopylae the traitor Ephialtes, a good connoisseur of the region, made known its existence to the Persian emperor Xerxes, with the result that the Persian troops through this path occupied the rear of the Greek forces. We will visit by The female Damasta Monastery, dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary, is located in the municipal prefecture of Damasta in a magical landscape. The catholic (main church of the monastery) dates back to the 11th century with religious icons dating back to 1818.
On our return to Athens we will stop at Kamena Vourla. Coastal town is located on the south coast of the Malian Gulf, 4 km west of Cape Knimis, which separates the Malian Gulf from the North Euboean Gulf. After World War II, Kamena Vourla was transformed into a tourist attraction and now It's the most known resort in Central Greece well organized with lots of high quality services for our visitors. Situated in the middle of Greece is the perfect destination right on the beach with a lot of alternatives. Time for lunch or dinner (optional)
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
For Private Tours: Traveler pickup/drop off is offered from/to your hotel/apartment in Athens center, at the arranged time of your tour departure or your tour return. We recommend that the tour starts at 8.00 am or earlier in summer time If for any reason this is not convenient, you can adjust the time according to your needs. Additional charge is applicable *15€ per way from longer pickup/drop off locations, more than 7 km from Athens city center. *Piraeus Port (distance 12km), *Piraeus Cruise Terminal (Distance 13km) This charge does not Include: **Airport (distance 36km & Toll Roads) or **Lavrio Port (distance75 km & Toll Roads) **This is under prior agreement with the agent's office
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a tour strictly to see the battlefields and the scenery (drive via mountains and next to coast), there are few ancient ruins to see. Your driver has a deep knowledge of Greek Persian Wars History and he will provide you with many historical details.
- You Have the options of 3 different Vehicles types: Sedan up to 3 adults or family of 4 (2 adults + 2 kids - up to 11 years old free) - Minivan ( from 1 to 8 persons - 2 kids/ up to 11 years old free ) - Minibus ( from 1 to 14 persons - 2 kids/ up to 11 years old free). Price varies by Group Size or Vehicle type.
- Booking hours: Tour is private & flexible (up to 9 hours). However we only request to have in mind the agreement hours. But if you like to extend it, please make a fair arrangement with your tour driver/ leader. Additional charge per hour is 35€ (Sedan) - 50€ (Minivan) - 65€ (Minibus).
- For Private Tours: Traveler pickup/drop off is offered from/to your hotel/apartment in Athens center, at the arranged time of your tour departure or your tour return. We recommend that the tour starts at 8.00 am or earlier in summer time If for any reason this is not convenient, you can adjust the time according to your needs.
Reviews(2)
If you love military history, this is the tour for you! Our tour guide Philip made the stories you’ve read come to life, and was full of interesting facts regarding battle strategies!
Hello Megan. Thank you a lot for your kindness.
I truly enjoyed my time and trip with Nikolaos but I think it fair to let people know that what you'll see is limited. If you are a huge history buff or have a good classical background than you'll like this trip but if you are not initiated or knowledgeable than I think you'll be disappointed since there isn't any spectacular sites or museums/artefacts. Thermopylae is mostly a coffee shop and a single modern monument; the ancient battlefield is long gone as erosion has pushed the land out many kilometers from the mountains. While Marathon has a nice but small museum and the burial mound for the Athenian dead, but the whole area is now a modern town so you can't get a good visual of the ancient battlefield itself. Also, consider it is a lot of driving for all this.
Hello Brandon....we are a bit sad with the 3 stars. In our description we right clearly, that this tour is only for people who love battle fields and have read Herodotus history Greek Persian wars. We clarify, that are not ruins to see. Iam also informed that Nikolaos took you in Thebes museum, which was out of schedule. Thank you for your kindness.