Delphi Day Trip Tour

A visit to the mythical center of the world. Legend has it that Zeus, sent his two eagles across the world, one from the East and one from the West, and he said that the point where the two eagles would meet would mark the center of the earth, the navel of the world, or “Omphalos” as it is referred in Greek. We will depart from Athens early in the morning driving northwards.

After approx. 2 hrs and the wonderful scenic ride, on our way to Delphi we will have a stop at the beautiful traditional and picturesque village of Arachova, where you can enjoy a nice stroll in the village, look for local products and have a quick coffee.

Our short break will revitalize us and get us prepared for our visit to the navel of the world, the Archaeological Site of Delphi. The Archaeological Site is located in the southwestern spur of Mount Parnassos. Its geographic position holds an intriguing characteristic.

Although it is not far from the coastline, the natural positioning of the nearby hills makes the site almost invisible to the ships thus protecting the city of Delphi from potential invaders. Delphi used to be the most important sanctuary dedicated to God Apollo, the place through which the God was believed to be offering his Oracles through Pythia, the Priestess of the Sanctuary, who was always eager to give her advice to everyone from mere citizens to mythical heroes and legendary leaders of cities. Greek people would visit the Oracle of Apollo religiously to take advice before they would proceed in taking important decisions. In such a perspective one could say that the Oracle of Delphi with its advice has determined greatly the route of history.

The perpetual inner need of mortals and the endless effort of the human race to foresee and learn about the future but also have the blessing of the Gods gradually converted the Oracle of Delphi into an important information and cultural center and allowed it to collect all the offerings that the cities were sending as donations, which resulted in the creation of a local treasury of immense value.

During your stroll at the site you will hear intriguing stories about Pythia and all her oracles that changed the route of history but also explore the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia with the renowned Tholos, The Castalia Spring, the Temple of Apollo, the Great ancient theater, the stadium, where the so called Pythian Games and the treasuries that the city state erected in order to express the gratitude towards the Gods.

Inside the archaeological museum of Delphi which is our next stop you will have the chance to admire many important ancient Greek artifacts from the excavations at Delphi, including the famous statue of Antinoos and the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dated from 475 B.C.

You can spend approx. 3hrs on the Site and its Museum. After your visit to the archaeological Site and its Museum we suggest a break for an authentic Greek lunch before we depart for Athens.

If you have opted for the extension of the tour, you can choose among the following three options:

• Option first: your chauffer will drive you to the Monastery of Hosios Loukas extension after the lunch break and before leaving for Athens we will visit this beautiful Monastery of 11th century that is situated on a mountainside overlooking the beautiful valley. This Monastery is the largest surviving monastery of the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. You can spend approx. an hour there.
• With the second option you can visit the battlefield of Thermopylae.
• Or alternatively with the third option you can visit the Lion of Chaeronea.