Classics school trips to Greece

Dominating the centre of the modern city atop its rocky crag, the incredible classical citadel of the Acropolis comprises the most important monuments in Western civilisation, with several temples and the most famous structure of them all: the Parthenon. We expect your students to be dazzled by wonder at this magnificent site, which dates back almost 2,500 years.

Uncover more than 4,250 exhibits relating to the incredible Acropolis of Athens at this museum, which is housed in an outstanding ultramodern glass and steel structure. Here, your students will be awestruck as they journey through the Greek Bronze Age, Roman times and Byzantine Greece, discovering relics, artifacts and treasures from the slopes leading up to the Acropolis, then at the Acropolis itself.

The heart of ancient Athens, the Ancient Agora features the archeological remains of an ancient marketplace which was also used as a meeting ground for political and social events. The site is centred around the grand Temple of Hephaestus, which remarkably still remains almost completely intact. We recommend also getting closer to the Agora’s greenery, where you’ll discover native lizards and birds.

Boasting the highest point in the centre of Athens, Lycabettus Hill makes for a moderately challenging climb – but it’s worth the hike. From its 277-metre peak, you and your group can enjoy fantastic views of the region, including Athens’ Acropolis and Parthenon, and – when weather permits – the island of Aegina.

Situated at the foot of the Acropolis hill, the Plaka neighbourhood is one of the oldest and most picturesque parts of Athens and, better yet, it’s mostly pedestrianised. Explore the area’s narrow cobblestoned streets and discover a labyrinth of shops selling souvenirs, jewellery, clothes, and local ceramics, as well as pavement cafés where you can stop for a Greek pastry and a coffee.

Get ready to be amazed when you visit the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal, which was created over more than two millennia and connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. We recommend viewing the cutting of the canal from the main bridge.

Explore the sacred city of Eleusis on this excursion, where your school group will learn about the legendary tales of the Greek Goddess of agriculture, Dimitra, as well as the historic Eleusinian Mysteries. A favoured city of the gods, Eleusis was one of the most important cities of the Ancient Greek world, its rich profusion of tales offering more than enough intrigue to captivate your students.

We expect your students will be astounded by the ancient city of Epidaurus, which features the best preserved of all the ancient theatres in Greece. With a capacity of 14,000 seats and impeccable acoustics, the theatre presents performances of great ancient Greek dramatists in the summer. Nearby, you can also visit the Ancient Stadium, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios.

A colourful coastal town with a wealth of culture and natural beauty, Nafplio has several historical sites built during Venetian occupation of the region, offering an alternative architectural style to that you’ll typically see in Greece. The city also boasts several waterfront cafeterias and alleyway tavernas in its old town – providing the perfect pit stop during a day of exploring.

Located around 80 kilometres west of Athens and 8 kilometres from Corinth, the spa town of Loutraki is a popular excursion for school groups to Greece and is an excellent place to spend the day. Here, students can enjoy the town’s impressive natural springs, crystal-clear sea and therapeutic spas, as well as the Heraion of Perachora – a nearby archaeological site.

Journey through time at the National Archaeological Museum, which we’ve seen captivate students with its collection of the most important artifacts ever unearthed in Greece. The museum leaves no stone unturned in revealing the country’s epic history, with collections spanning from prehistory to late antiquity, plus more than 20,000 volumes in its expansive library.

Visit ancient Corinth, one of the richest cities of the ancient world, and explore its spectacular archaeological site, which is predominantly constructed of Roman ruins. We’ve seen student groups engrossed by the ancient city, which features the Temple of Apollo, the Peribolos of Apollo, and a huge agora, and other highlights for your students to enjoy.

A childhood favourite in Greek culture, Shadow Puppet Theatre – named after its main character Karagiozis in its native tongue – makes for easy summer evening entertainment for your students after a day of exploring Greece’s vast history. Hailing from the Ottoman Empire, the tradition has been instrumental in keeping languages, folklore and cultural traditions alive – both in Greece and throughout southern Europe.

One of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Greece, the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens was built during the mid-4th century B.C. and was capable of holding up to 17,000 spectators. The theatre is considered as the birthplace of traditional Greek theatre, where classical Greek plays were first performed before branching out throughout Greece and beyond.

Situated just a stone’s throw from the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is an excellent stop on an afternoon of exploring Athens’ most incredible ancient sites. Completed in 161 AD, the Roman theatre was originally used as a venue for music concerts. Following restoration in the mid-20th century, the site is now the main venue of the Athens Festival, where it hosts a variety of acclaimed Greek and international performances.

Set between two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus, the archaeological site of Delphi is a sight to behold and one that we’ve no doubt will stun your students. Visit the seat of the famous Delphic oracle and the birthplace of the Olympic Games, then enter the museum where sculptures and mind-blowing artifacts trace the long history of the sanctuary of Zeus. There’s thousands of years of history here, so set aside plenty of time to soak up the lot.

Located roughly half a kilometre from the main Delphi Archaeological Site, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia was originally built as the site’s gateway – symbolic of goddess Athena’s duty to protect her half brother Apollo. The sanctuary dates back to the 4th century BC, and we’d recommend the historical ruins as an essential stop on any visit to Delphi.

Step back in time with your students to the ancient city of Mycenae – one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Greece. Enter the Lion Gate into one of the most prosperous regions of the ancient era, where students can learn all about the Mycenaean civilisation and the legendary Trojan War. Nearby, you can also visit the town of Nafplion – a trip we know your students will enjoy.