Just 115 km southwest of Athens lies Nemea, one of Greece’s most historic and celebrated wine regions. Famous for its Agiorgitiko grape, ancient myths, and timeless landscapes, Nemea becomes especially vibrant every September during the annual Great Days of Nemea festival — a weekend where wineries open their doors, masterclasses are held, and visitors get to experience the heart of Greek wine culture.
In this guide, I’ll take you through our full-day trip to Nemea, visiting monasteries, wineries, and ancient ruins, with practical tips to help you plan your own unforgettable experience.
🍇 Featured Nemea Wine Tours
Top picks from Athens & Nafplio🚙 Wine Trails Private Tour / Nemea Visit 3 Wineries
⏱ Duration: 10 hours
- Private, full-day tour from Athens or Nafplio
- See the Corinth Canal & Ancient Nemea Stadium
- Visit 3 top-rated wineries with tastings & cellar tours
- Customize your itinerary & enjoy round-trip transport
🚗 From Athens: Wine Roads Private Tour
⏱ Duration: 9 hours
- Visit one of the top wineries in Greece
- Admire the ancient Temple of Apollo, one of the earliest Doric temples
- Taste exquisite wines overlooking the Nemean Valley
- Stroll through Nafplio, Greece’s most scenic city
👨🔬 Nemea Wine Tour with Oenologists
⏱ Duration: 6–8 hours
- Discover Nemea’s diverse terroir — from 300m to 1000m altitudes
- Visit Semeli and Gofas estates plus one more winery
- Learn winemaking techniques with expert oenologists
- Taste at least 4 wines per winery, paired with local delicacies
- Enjoy a curated lunch of regional specialties & dessert wine with dark chocolate
🍷 Nemea: Wine Tasting Tour with Local Dishes
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
- Savor the rich, velvety flavor of Agiorgitiko, a world-famous Greek grape
- Learn about the winemaking process — from grape harvesting to bottling
- Pair fine wines with delicious local dishes made with fresh ingredients
- Stroll through picturesque vineyards surrounded by stunning landscapes
- Enhance your experience with a visit to the Archaeological Site of Nemea
*Affiliate links — you pay the same, I may earn a small commission. All tours can be booked securely online.
Where is Nemea & Why Visit?
Nemea is situated in the northeastern Peloponnese, approximately a 1-hour 30-minute drive from Athens, making it an ideal day trip or weekend escape.
The region is often compared to Bordeaux for its red wines and rolling vineyard landscapes. But Nemea offers something uniquely Greek: a blend of mythology, sacred history, and authentic hospitality.
Best for: Wine lovers, culture enthusiasts, history buffs, couples, and small groups
Distance from Athens: 115 km (1.5 hours by car)
Famous for: Agiorgitiko grape, PDO wines, ancient ruins, wine tourism
Recommended winery in Nemea: Semeli Estate: A Taste of Greece’s Finest Wines in Nemea
🕊️ Monastery of the Holy Virgin of the Rock
Polyfeggos Rock • NemeaLate-Byzantine sanctuary hewn into the east face of Polyfeggos. Inside, look for 11th–12th-century frescoes (Presentation of Christ, Saint George). Views sweep across vineyards and valley—a serene prelude to a wine day.
- Steep stone steps; wear supportive shoes.
- Allow ~30–40 minutes for the courtyard, cave-church & platform.
- Best light: morning or golden hour.
🍇 Gofas Estate
PDO Nemea • Member of Winemakers’ Assoc.Family winemaking since 1959, now led by Konstantinos Gofas. About 80 acres across Koutsi, Daphne & Paliohori—plot-specific farming and modern cellar craft. Indigenous Agiorgitiko, Malagouzia alongside Syrah, Cabernet, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Gris.
- Guided cellar tour & tasting (book ahead in September).
- Walk the vines near the mythical Asopos river; art exhibits in reception.
- Chance to buy rare/older vintages at the estate.
🍷 Zacharias Winery
Leontio • 40 ha • 13 varietiesSustainable vineyards embracing Leontio’s slopes. Indigenous stars—Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko, Moschofilero—alongside Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah. During Great Days of Nemea, look for specialty masterclasses.
- Reserve masterclasses early—limited seats sell out fast.
- Combine with a cellar tour for context.
🏛️ Nemea Town & PDO Winemakers’ Space
Open on festival weekendThe PDO space brings producers under one roof—taste broadly, learn terroirs, and plan which estates to visit next. Ideal first stop during the festival.
- Orientation tasting: compare styles across sub-zones.
- Chat with winemakers
- Check the weekend schedule for talks & pop-ups.
🏺 Ancient Nemea — Temple of Zeus, Museum & Stadium
At foot of Arcadian mountainsSacred ground where myth & history meet—Hercules and the Nemean Lion; the Nemean Games in honor of Opheltes. Walk the Temple of Zeus (4th c. BC), explore the museum, and stand in the ancient stadium that once held ~40,000 spectators.
- Temple columns rise nearly 10 m; partial restoration aids visualization.
- Allow 45–60 min for site + museum.
- Bring water/shade in summer; gentle walking shoes recommended.
Planning Your Visit to Nemea
Here are some practical tips to make the most of your trip:
When to Visit
The Great Days of Nemea festival takes place every September (usually over one weekend).
Outside the festival, wineries welcome visitors year-round by appointment.
How to Get There
- By Car: The easiest way is to rent a car from Athens. The drive is about 1.5 hours via the Corinth Canal.
- By Tour: Several operators offer day trips from Athens to Nemea, often combined with a visit to Corinth.
Where to Eat
Many wineries have small tasting rooms with snacks, but for a full meal, head into Nemea town for traditional tavernas serving local specialties.
How Long to Stay
Nemea can be visited as a day trip, but spending one night allows for a more relaxed pace and evening tastings.
