Self-Guided Greek Archaelogical Cycling Tour

ARRIVAL – PALAIA EPIDAURUS

Transfer under request from the Athens airport to Palaia Epidaurus, which is a coastline town, whose main attraction is the theatre located nearby. Its closest beach is called Gialasi, with an extension of just 1 km. To get there it takes just a 10-minutes walk through a downhill. It is a picturesque beach, delimited by lush green pine trees. Palaia Epidaurus beach follows the general vibe of the place, which is mainly unspoiled and not very modified by civilisation along time. When you arrive, you will get your bikes and equipment at the hotel. Overnight Palaia Epidaurus.

Palaia Epidaurus-Galatas (36.3 km +482 m / -471 m)

In the morning, you will begin the trip to Poros. The route will take you through mostly the coastal road as you cycle next to Saronic gulf. A cycling route where you can also see the peninsula of Methana with its two steep volcanic slopes. Methana is actually a volcano that emerged from the sea.You arrive at Galatas, the sister-town of Poros, located only a few hundred meters from Poros island, and connected frequently by ferry boats which travel between both towns.After disembarking at Poros.The Poros Strait, and the seaside area of Galata with its pine, olive, and lemon groves surround the picturesque Poros town, where beautiful neoclassical buildings grace the seafront

it’s a place of great beauty! Poros town and the harbour area have been built on the hillside, opposite the shores of Troizinia. The town’s picturesque alleys, Neorio, and Bourtzi Islet are some of the must-visit places on the island. The clock tower of Poros is the island’s landmark, located on the hilltop, and surrounded by prickly pear trees and pine trees. This spot offers an amazing view of the harbour, the opposite shores of the Peloponnese, and the Lemon tree forest. The clock stands out, from whichever location you look at it

it is truly the town gem! Overnight Poros.

POROS ROUND TOUR (20 km, +422 m / -422 m)

In the morning, you will begin the trip around Poros. Start your cycling by visiting the beaches at Mikro Neorio and Megalo Neorio, as well as the one at Limanaki tis Agapis (meaning ‘The Cove of Love’) with the crystal clear waters. Continue to the Russian Naval Dockyard, located 5km NW of the town and the harbour in a beautiful cove. The original structures included warehouses and bakeries built to provide for the needs of the Russian Fleet stationed there back in 1834. Your cycling continues through the beautiful landscape to the ruins of the temple of Poseidon (520 BC) are to be found in Palatia location (5.5 km NE), between Vigla and Profitis Ilias area, in the north part of the island. The main temple was a rectangular peripteros construction (i.e. there was a perimeter of six and twelve columns). You can see the foundations of this temple, the stoas [porticos] of the agora and the Vouleftirion (the parliament building). The temple forms an isosceles triangle with the temples of Aphaia on Aegina Island and that of Poseidon in Cape Sounio. Overnight Poros.

POROS-ERMIONI (41.3 km, +543 m / -546 m)

Today you leave Poros, taking the ferry back to Galatas.You start cycling from Galatas to Ermioni following the coastal road. On the way you pass by The Lemon Forest of Poros which is the only one in Greece. In May, the whole town of Poros is engulfed in the heavenly scent of lemon blossoms wafting across from the green lemon forest shores. The dense lemon and orange trees add an ethereal beauty and simplicity to the landscape. Ambling through the Lemon Tree Forest, Lemonodassos in Greek is pure joy. Nestled between the trees you find picturesque watermills that add scenic beauty to the whole place. There is also a wonderful waterfall inside the lemon tree forest area. Tourists who bicycle to see the old temple at Trizina travel through this enchanted lemon forest experiencing a wonderful feeling. Then you arrive at Metochi, a small port where boat taxis depart for Hydra. You finally arrive at Ermioni, a beautiful seaside village constructed around the port and surrounded by lush greenery. Few pebbled beaches can be reached by foot from the port of Ermioni, but the most beautiful places to swim are found in short distance away. Overnight Ermioni.

ERMIONI-KOILADA ROUND TOUR (52.3 km, +792 m / -792 m)

Today get ready for an amazing round tour from Ermioni. Fascinating images expect you today while cycling along with slight ups and downs. At 14.7km you can cycle straight to the main road so as to have the full route which includes about 2.5km of dirt road.This route is not recommended for road bikers.The other option is to turn left following the main road to rejoin the route at 29.6 km. The highlight of the day is Koilada, a picturesque and quiet village with some moorings in the areas nearby. The main activities in this village are still fishing, and boats repair. In fact, the shipyards of Kilada are among the few remaining places in Argolida prefecture where ships are built and repaired. The surrounding areas of Kilada offer unspoiled beauty. Other places of interest are the monastery of Zoodohos Pigi, the churches of Agios Demetrios, Agios Nikolaos, and Evangelistria. Next destination is Kranidi ,the provincial capital of Ermioni, placed at its centre cape in the southern area of Argolis, Peloponnese. Its name is related to the word Kranaos, meaning rocky trough. In spite of having this role of capital, Kranidi is still is a traditional small town. In fact, Kranidi dominates the interior plain of Ermionida, one of the three counties that form the prefecture of Argolida. It is built on a hill, with the port of Kilada village below, which is also very picturesque. There are still some remains from that period. The houses are finely elaborated, with iron ornamentation on their balconies, while the churches constitute another remain in these terms. The streets are still narrow and cobbled

these facts also contribute to the particular charm of Kranidi. Overnight Ermioni.

ERMIONI-PORTO HELI-KOSTA (35.5 km, +380 m / - 380 m)

Today, you’ll be riding through the beautiful coastal road to Porto Heli.On the way you pass by organized and remote beaches, with soft sand and clean water. Porto Heli is a cosmopolitan port village on the eastern side of Peloponnese. Originally a secluded fishing village, the place started to gradually develop in the 1970s when Athenians built summer houses there and many rich men bought plots of land. Many visitors also come with their private yachts and moor at the large marina of the town.Then you cycle back to Kosta, a small port on the Southern tip of the Ermionida region which offers the main sea crossing point to the Argo-Saronic Island of Spetses .You take the ferry to Spetses. Overnight Spetses

SPETSES ROUNDTOUR (25 km, +599 m / -598 m)

The island of Spetses is mostly known for its elegant atmosphere, as it is full of impressive mansions, as well as the car ban that keeps its atmosphere calm. Boutique hotels and sophisticated restaurants, as well as secluded beaches with turquoise waters.The last biking day of your journey can be converted to a nice full-day excursion, combining cycling with some stops for swimming. An important fact is the lack of vehicles, which are strictly prohibited on the island. Bicycles, scooters and horse-drawn carts, are the main transport. The total journey is 25 km long and the highest point of the road is nearly 150 m from the sea level. The road is good (asphalt), without cars and steep uphills. Overnight Spetses

DEPARTURE

After a good breakfast, you will take you luggage and get ready for your way back to Athens.