Argo Saronic Self-Guided

The Argo Saronic region lies in the southeastern “finger” of the Peloponnese Peninsula. On this loop tour you encounter islands, World Heritage antiquities, healthy Mediterranean food and rural cycling roads. You immerse yourself in slow-moving Greece where most of the route is on back roads with negligible traffic. 

Your favorite mainland town will be Napflio, modern Greece’s first capital, with elegant neo-Classical Venetian homes and towering 17th century fortresses. From Nafplio, the legendary sites of Ancient Mycenae and Epidavros Theatre are only about an hour bike ride away.

A slight price increase for hotels may apply in August.

All tours are priced in euros, the currency of Greece.
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TOUR MAP

Start/End Points
Tour starts Day 1, meeting at Piraeus port to deliver and test your bike. You will meet us at least one hour before your boat departs for Poros island. After you book your tour you will receive the boat schedule and can choose what time you prefer to catch the boat to Poros. The tour ends in Piraeus from where you transfer to the Sofitel Airport Hotel for a morning flight the next day from Athens Airport. (Or you can opt to spend the night in Athens).

Ask about 3 Day Athens Add-on

Itinerary

Day 1: Poros
Your first view of Poros from the sea will capture your heart. The harbor town is lined with stately neo-classical buildings whose pastel colors evoke a serenity. The island has two beaches offering a cornucopia of water sports -- snorkeling, scuba diving, skiing, sea kayaking. For ambitious bikers, the highest point on the island is also where the Temple of Poseidon can be found.  

Day 2: Epidavros
The best leg of today’s route is a stretch of road that looks down on the sea and has no towns or villages until arrival to coastal Epidavros town. The waters near your family run hotel are pure and clean and inviting for swimming. In the evening a half hour walk along the bay takes you into Epidavros town where everyone dines outside along the sea front.

Day 3: Nafplio
A roughly one hour climb brings you to Ancient Epidavros, the 3rd century BC outdoor theatre seating 15,000 spectators with impeccable acoustics. Stand at the stage, whisper, and those high in the last row will hear you! Elegant Nafplio, the first capital of Greece, will woo you with its neo-Classical mansions, artistic shops and wholesome charm.

Day 4: Nafplio
After one hour’s cycling amongst quiet orange groves you arrive at ancient Mycenae where the ruler who launched the Trojan War, King Agamemnon, is buried in a beehive tomb that never fails to startle visitors with its architecture of precision.On your return to Nafplio don’t fail to climb the 999 steps to the Palamidi, the formidable Venetian fortress.

Day 5: Spetses
Spetses is a small, classy island with beautiful mansions built by 19th century shipping magnates and wealthy merchants. The island has only one town which is car free. Children ride bicycles and honeymooners take horse drawn carriages along its romantic harbor’s scenic views of the surrounding gulf.

Day 6: Spetses
Spetses is so small you can circumnavigate it by bike in a couple of hours. At a half-way point stop to swim at an appealing beach which has the added attraction of an underwater sea cave easily accessible from the water or by steps into an opening on land. If figs are in season, it is a divine pleasure to eat them right off the trees.

Day 7: Athens Airport Sofitel Hotel or central Athens
Hop a water taxi from Spetses to the Peloponnese mainland, bikes and all, then cycle along the coast pausing for a Greek coffee in the pleasant town of Ermioni. The hardest leg of the tour is the last 15 or so miles with an 820 foot climb. Take the five minute boat to Poros island and relax until your big ferry boat takes you back to Piraeus and Athens. Overnight in Athens Sofitel Hotel at the airport for your early morning flight, or remain in Athens.

Day 8: Departure

Mileage

Total Miles 146 miles 212 km. Average Daily 24 miles, 35 km

Day 1 casual cycling in Poros 

Day 2 24 miles, 39 km hug the coast, 3 hours starts flat but has 2 big climbs, highest 738 feet

Day 3 27 miles, 43 km about 8 miles to Ancient Epidavros climbing to 1150 feet, then mostly downhill to Nafplio

Day 4 25 miles, 40 km, primarily flat with two ascents at the end of about 400 feet

Day 5 7 miles, 11.5 km, a mostly flat easy ride to catch the boat to Spetses

Day 6 15.5 miles, 25 km, slight hills, hug coastline, highest ascent 328 feet

Day 7 37 milesDay 7, 60 km, 4 hours hug the coast, mostly flat, 1 tough climb of 820 feet