Marathon & Thermopylae Day Trip
Duration: 10 hoursMarathon & Thermopylae Day Trip
Duration: 10 hoursABOUT THIS TOUR
Are you ready to explore two of the most important battlefields of the Greek History? Visit the tomb of Marathon, where the battle with Persians took place and Thermopylae to learn all about the greek history.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 9m-high tomb at Marathon
- Marathon Race Museum
- Archaeological Museum of Marathon
- “Marathon Youth “
- The battlefield of Thermopylae
- “Thermopylae’s Innovative Centre of Historical Information”
- Monument of King Leonidas
- Sea Side village of Kamena Vourla for lunch break
We can customize this tour to your needs.
If you want to skip or add something, please let us know in advance.
ITINERARY
At firtst you will meet your driver at your hotel. You will have the chance to learn all about the legend of Marathon. After the battle, one of the soldiers named Phidipedes left from the Marathon heading to Athens. He ran all the way about 42,195 km without any stop and he bust into the assembly only to announce the good news. After, he said that we have won died. This historical reference was the inspiration of the modern marathon as a sports event.
Today’s visitor will see the 9m-high tomb that has been erected at the site of the battle in memory of the 192 Athenians who offered their lives. The 10 columns on the top of this memorial represent the 10 tribes of which Attica was originally consisted of. The archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discoverd the tomb in 1880.
If we have time, we will visit the Marathon Race Museum to learn the history of the sportsmanship and the Archaeological Museum of Marathon, that included a variety of important exhibits. The most famous is the “Marathon Youth”.
Then, you will have a stop to Thermopylae. There, the great Spartan King Leonidas with a small Greek force defended Attica and Boeotia against the southward advance of Xerxes’ Persian army.
The scenery has pretty much changed at the battlefield nowadays. For this reason, “Thermopylae’s Innovative Centre of Historical Information” is a must see on the spot to help the visitor understand the morphology of the ground and the narrow passage of the battlefield, that due to erosion has changed.
After the visit to the battlefield your driver will take you back to Athens.
ADMISSIONS FEES
Entrance fees to the Marathon Tumulus and to the Marathon Museum are 4 Euro pp
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
- University students and Students of Higher Education Institutes
- Technological Educational Institutes
- Military Schools or equivalent Schools of member states of the European Union
- Schools of Guides, upon presentation of their student identity card
- Young people, under the age of 18, after demonstrating the Identity Card or passport to confirm the age
Free admission for all on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
For prices updates please click here
To buy your tickets in advance click here
OPENING HOURS FEES
- Summer Period: 1 April – 31 October
- Winter Period: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for the archaeologica of Marathon Tumulus:
- Winter:
Tuesday – Sunday 8:00 – 15:00 - Summer:
Tuesday – Sunday 8:00 – 20:00
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Marathon Museum:
- Winter period: 08:00-15:00
- Summer period: 08:00-20:00
All sites and museums are closed or have reduced opening hours, on the following holidays:
- 1 January: closed
- 6 January: closed
- Shrove Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 25 March: closed
- Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
- Holy Saturday: 08.30-15.00
- Easter Sunday : closed
- Easter Monday: 08.30-15.00
- 1 May: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08.30-15.00
- 15 August: 08.30-15.00
- 28 October: 08.30-15.00
- 25 December: closed
- 26 December: closed
For updates on opening hours please click here
USEFULL INFO
There are a few things that are useful for you to know before participating in one of our tours:
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended for most locations. Sun glasses, a hat and sun screen are also suggested since the Mediterranean sun is extremely hot during the summer months.
- Photography is permitted in almost every site throughout the tours and if it is prohibited you will be informed beforehand.
- Local currency (euros) might be needed in order to pay at the spot small entrance fees and small expenses.
- In case one of our guests has some special needs, is under certain medication or has a limited walking endurance you can let us know during the organization of your customized tour and we will make sure that small breaks are incorporated into your itinerary.
- Also it is suggested that you bring with you a small bottle of water or something small to eat in case you need to during the tour.
- Furthermore if an individual has advanced accessibility needs you can let us know and allow us to customize the tour to fit your needs.
