Ancient Messene-Kalamata Tour (10hrs)

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Corinth 201 00 Greece

The Canal connects the Aegean with the Ionian Seas, and Peloponnese with the rest of Greece. The construction of the Canal begun in 1882by a French Company, stopped in 1889 because the company went bankrupt and comlpeted in 1893 by the Greeks. It's 63km long, 23m wide and 8m deep.

Best view of the Canal is from the old bridge

Tip: The idea of building a Canal through the Isthmus of Corinth was conceived by the tyrant Periander in the 6th century BC

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ancient Messini, Messini 240 02 Greece

Ancient Messene was a significant ancient city in Peloponnese. It was founded in 369 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas and it’s the most well-preserved city of classical antiquity.

During the tour in the archaeological site of ancient Messene, you will see the ancient theatre, with a capacity of 10000 seats, the fountain of Arsinoi, the ancient agora, temples, stoas and of course the famous Asclepeion.

Don’t miss to visit the museum of Messene, a small neoclassical building, which hosts almost 12000 findings.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Temple of Apollo Epikourios, Bassae, Skliros 270 61 Greece

The temple is located in Bassae near the ancient city of Phigaleia. It was built in the second half of the 5th century BC and was designed by Iktinus the architect of Parthenon. It’s an unusual and mysterious temple as it combines all of three classical architectural orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The temple was dedicated to Epicurius Apollo, god of music, poetry, art, medicine, plague disease, sun and knowledge. Apollo was son of Zeus and Leto and was brother of Artemis.

The temple is in the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1986 and is characterized as the “Second Parthenon”.

In the archaeological site visitors can also admire the Temple of Artemis Orthansia and the Temple of Aphrodite.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kalamata Beach, Navarinou, Kalamata 241 00 Greece

The capital of Messinia is situated at the site of ancient Farai. It has developed into a significant port and an important tourist urban center.

What to see:

– The castle of Isabeau, which was in the 13th century by William Villehardouin

– The City Hall

– The Modern Greek Art Gallery, with paintings, sculptures and carvings.

– The Benakeion Archaeological Museum housed in a magnificent neoclassical building

– The central Vassileos Georgiou (King George) square with many coffee shops, meeting places

– The Folklore and History Museum, with traditional objects from the 1821 Greek War of Independence.

– The Municipal theatre.

– The Railways Park with old motorcycles and railway wagons.

– The seaside road in front of the city’s extensive beach (4 km length with marvellous waters). Along the coastline there are several restaurants, tavernas, bars, clubs and coffee shops.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes