Ancient Sparta & Mystras Private Day Tour from Athens

Recommended by 98% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Athens, Greece

10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Greece is home to uncountable ruins and archaeological wonders, but traveling beyond Athens to reach them can be difficult on your own. This private day trip with hotel pickup lets you visit two highlights in one day. Head first to Mystras, an impeccably preserved Byzantine city built into a towering mountain. Then, travel to historic Sparta to see an ancient citadel and the statue of King Leonidas (entry to sights own expense).

Maximize your sightseeing time on this two-in-one tour
Visit the Corinth Canal and choose to bungee jump if you wish
Private tour helps you beat the crowds and explore your way
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Athens for added convenience

What's Included

Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history. [Not licensed to accompany you in any site.]
Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
Private transportation
Bottled water

Entrance fee - Ancient Sparta, Mystras, Museum of Olive & Olive Oil

€34.00 per person
Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability [Additional cost - 390 €]

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pick up time adjustable upon your request.

Itinerary

Corinth Canal

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Archaeological Site of Mystra (Pass By)

Archaeological Site of Mystra

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Acropolis and Ancient Theater

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Leonidas Monument

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Athens (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Most travelers can participate
The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Frequently Asked Question (1)

Q:Will my driver accompany us inside the archaeological sites?

A:Your driver will have deep knowledge of history and mythology history, but they are not licensed to accompany you inside the archaeological sites & museum. We can reserve a licenced guide for you at an extra cost - depending on the availability

May 2022

The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 53 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Unforgettable, a Dream Come True

Nicholas_T, Nov 2025

There is no better way to see Sparta and Mystras and as a fan of hoplite history, getting to see Sparta in person was an unforgettable experience. The statue of Leonidas is absolutely amazing and only a short distance away is the ruins of Mystras. It is easily one of the most beautiful sites to see and is very accessible. Our driver Andreas was also absolutely outstanding, the drive was very enjoyable and he made it all the better with his stories and insight into the areas we drove by. He was flexible with our travel and brought us to a restaurant near Mystras that was unbelievably good. This trip was worth every penny spent!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed exploring Sparta and Mystras and appreciated Andreas' dedication and insights. Your feedback means so much, and we hope to welcome you again on another unforgettable trip!

Sparta and Mystra is well worth the trip to visit when in Athens. This guide brought history to life.

Linda_K, Oct 2025

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. He totally planned an enjoyable time during the visit of each site. Going to see Mystra and Sparta was a highlight of our trip.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit to Mystra and Sparta with our guide. Your feedback means a lot to us.

Nikkos the Great!!! Best tour ever!

Nicole_D, Sep 2025

HIGHLY recommend the drive to Mystras!! Get out of the city and see the countryside!!!! It was BEAUTFUL!! Sparta was incredible. It was more about the atmosphere than the ruins, just the feeling of walking the ancient ruins was magical. Nikos was amazing. Super prompt, accommodating, full of history and FRIENDLY!! He gave us our time to explore how we wished and used the car ride to fill us in on all things Greece. Vehicle was very comfortable and the ride didn’t feel long with all of the amazing conversation. And the iced bottled water came in clutch in our hike down the mountain. YES NIKKO!!!!! Thank you for everything and we hope you visit the Fingerlakes!! Call us!

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed review! We're thrilled you enjoyed your experience, Nikos’ hospitality, and the beautiful countryside. Your enthusiasm means a lot to us, and we hope to see you again!

Great day trip from Athens

Kristina_R, May 2025

We booked this day trip from Athens because we wanted to see some Sparta sites and get some history. Pick up was easy from our hotel, we got to go exactly where we wanted, got some great tips from the friendly guide, and we’re back in time for a nice dinner. There’s no way we could’ve had the flexibility if we had booked it with a bus, and we’re really pleased with the entire experience. Marios did an amazing job.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you, Cristina! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and made the most of your time. Helping you explore and create great memories is our goal. We hope to welcome you again in the future!

Amazing tour with flexibility and lots of history

mora_a, Apr 2025

Terry was absolutely amazing! He was such a great tour guide with amazing knowledge of the area! Very interesting facts! Helped customize our journey due to disabilities and we had an absolute amazing time! We can’t say enough amazing things about this tour and Terry specifically. We felt so well cared for- amazing stop for lunch and we saw everything we were hoping for and more! Absolutely worth the tour and you will be in good hands! Very appreciative of the team making our vacation such a memorable one! And certainly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled Terry made your tour so special and accommodating. It’s amazing to know you felt well cared for and had such a memorable experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation!

Fabulous day trip outside of Athens

Erin_O, Aug 2024

Our family had a wonderful experience with this tour! After a few days in Athens it was fun to explore the area outside of the city, and our driver/guide, George, was fantastic! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made us all feel incredibly comfortable. Mystras is beautiful and unique, and after our hike we had a delicious lunch in the town (George's recommendation). An excellent way to see the impressive mountains and countryside of southern Greece!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour and George’s guidance. Mystras and the southern Greek countryside truly are gems, and we’re glad you had a memorable trip.

An ancient experience for the ages

Russ_D, May 2023

Our driver was amazing! We took this tour mainly to see Sparta but Mystras was a very pleasant surprise. Our driver Petros was knew so much! We talked almost non-stop al the way If we get here again I would insist on him as our driver

Response from Host, Dec 2023

All we in Olive Sea Travel thank you for the kind review! Petros, as all our drivers, always tries to make your holidays a unique experience, customized on your needs. We will gladly provide you with our personalized services again. Kind regards, Alexander Petronikolos

Just Do it

Liza_V, Oct 2022

If you are looking for a flexible and wonderful tour please choose this Sparta Private Tour. Chris was wonderful and knowledgeable about everything. Easy way to view everything on your own time. Mystras is a must see, bring comfortable shoes and be ready to take a lot of photos overlooking Sparta.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thank you for choosing Olive Sea Travel and for the kind feedback about Chris. As all our drivers, Chris has great knowledge in history and mythology and tries to meet your expectations. Our aim is to provide you with services of excellent quality. We hope to meet you in Greece again. Kind regards, Ioanna Gryllaki

excellent trip to ancient sparta and mystras!

Amanda_C, Aug 2022

Our driver and guide were phenomenal! thank you. We had an interesting drive from Athens, full of valuable information, walking tour on site, museum visit, delicious lunch at a quaint taverna, and fantastic hike around Mystras. I just hope I tipped enough because I wasn’t sure if custom- to give each the same amount or give one more. Also- be sure to wear sneakers or comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Thank you for choosing Olive Sea Travel and for the kind feedback. Our aim is to provide you with services of excellent quality. All our drivers keep you safe and comfortable in to our luxurious vehicles, while the professional guides have great knowledge in history and mythology and try to show you all the hidden gems into the sites. We hope to meet you in Greece again. Kind regards, Ioanna Gryllaki

Highly recommended!

Samantha_D, Jun 2022

We loved this tour! Our guide/driver picked us up at our hotel in a clean and comfortable car. He was very friendly and fun. Extremely informative about every location we visited. He did an excellent job driving and parking. He had reservations ready for us at lunch and it was delicious. It was a stress-free day for our group because he was so prepared and knowledgeable.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

Thank you for choosing Olive Sea Travel and the kind feedback about our driver. It is always our aim to make your tours in Greece an experience to remember and to meet your expectations. We always try to show you Greece we know and love and make you feel like travellers, not tourists. We hope to see you again in Greece. Kind regards, Ioanna Gryllaki

Fantastic day trip

Merle_S, Apr 2022

Overall it was a fantastic experience! My guides were incredibly knowledgeable and extremely helpful throughout. By the end, I felt like I’d spent a day touring Greece with friends rather than simply guides!

Response from Host, Sep 2022

All we in Olive Sea Travel thank you for the kind review. Our staff always tries to make your holidays a unique experience customized on your needs. We hope to see you again in Greece. Kind regards, Ioanna Gryllaki

Great day

Richard_L, Apr 2022

Mystras is an amazing place. Our driver Alex was top-notch with lots of information and friendly advice. A very memorable experience that we would recommend to others.

Response from Host, Sep 2022

All we in Olive Sea Travel thank you for the kind review. Alex, as all our drivers, always tries to make your holidays a unique experience customized on your needs. We will gladly provide you with our personalized services again. Kind regards, Ioanna Gryllaki

Great day of touring and learning about the region!

ChrysC909, Jun 2019

We had a wonderful tour of Mystras and Ancient Sparta. Our tour guides, George and Jimmy, were very professional and accommodating. George was a great driver and went out of his way to make us comfortable and show us the sights. He is very knowledgeable about the area and he spoke perfect English! We went to a very good restaurant for lunch and then headed back to Athens. The car ride was 2.5 hours each way, but it went fast and the scenery was beautiful.

Response from Host, Jun 2019

Thank you for sharing your feedback for your private tour from Sparta & Mystras. Our driver George as the rest of our team of Olive Sea Travel works hard to provide you with high quality of services. He is willing to share with you his deep historical and religious knowledge of Ancient Greece in Sparta and Byzantine Castle City of Mystras. We try to offer you a cultural, religious and relaxing private tour for you. Safety and comfort are two of the major considerations of driving. Due to this, we choose only, Mercedes Mini Van. We hope to see you again! Best regards, Eleftheria Nikoloudaki

Okay tour

M00nbi, May 2019

This tour was okay but extremely expensive for what we received. Our driver was good and had good knowledge and it was not his fault that the tour did not meet our expectations, however this tour should not be conducted when a number of the sites were closed. The ancient site at Sparta was closed so should not be. A Sparta tour. At Mystras the palace and Museum was closed. For almost $700 Australian dollars I was left disappointed. Basically we did not see much.

Response from Host, Jun 2019

We would like to thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We are really sorry to hear this. Although we would like to inform you that the sites of Sparta were closed with no official warning. The archeological sights were decided arbitrarily to close on Tuesdays, despite the fact that their Official sites on the internet and the information guaranteed that they were open for visiting every day apart from Mondays. Based on this information we scheduled the private tour to Sparta & Mystras on a Tuesday. As for the palace of Mystras that was never open to the public. It is under restoration for many years. However, of course, you visit the churches and the Museum that are open to the public. Consequently, we believe that the review concerns the Archeological sites and the ministry of culture for not being punctual, not our Travel Agency. We would gladly offer you our services again. We reassure you that we will cover all your needs. Kind regards, Eleftheria Nikoloudaki

Sparta Mystras Private day tour.

Randy_T, Jun 2018

We had fun and great time. Our driver and guide was excellent and we learned a lot of history and Mystras was amazing and we saw the statue of the great King Leonidas is Sparta. Demostines our driver and guide is great and knows his history and very pleasant and prompt.

Response from Host, Sep 2019

Thank you for sharing your feedback for your private tour in Sparta & Mystras. The team of Olive Sea Travel works hard to provide you with high quality of services even if the weather is not so good. Οur suggestion for authentic Greek cuisine is rewarding in the best way. We hope to see you again! Best regards, Nikoloudaki Eleftheria

Sparta was definitely a place to...

Michael_O, Mar 2018

Sparta was definitely a place to check off the bucket list, but not much to see. Mystras was also great and there was much more to see, with an extensive stronghold extending halfway up a mountain next to Sparta. It was fun, not to mention great exercise to climb the mountain paths to get to the top of the citadel. A guide would have helped with both places to help appreciate more about both Sparta and Mystras, but our driver Vasilis was a great resource for much information. For lunch he took us into modern Sparta for Gyros, which were excellent, and then to the Leonidas monument, and to the 300 gift shop, and finally the olive oil museum. The olive oil museum is interesting and only takes a half hour to appreciate. We missed the Sparta museum since it closes early and we had all the above activities scheduled first. The driver told us there isnt anything to see there. Try to include these sites in a multiday tour if possible to avoid some of the extra commutes from Athens.

Response from Host, Sep 2019

We booked this trip on a whim and it...

Luis_V, Feb 2018

We booked this trip on a whim and it ended up being the highlight of our Greece vacation. Our tour guide, Visalis, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He made us feel comfortable during the 10 hour trip. I'd highly recommend taking this tour if you're in Athens!