Wine Tour Athens to visit 2 of the most Award-Winning Wineries

Greek wine country starts fast, with a private driver and a smooth ride from the coast of Athens to Spata-area vineyards. I like the private car setup, because it keeps the day relaxed and in your control, not stuck on a bus schedule. I also like how the tour mixes two very different cellar styles, so you taste variety without feeling like you rushed through stops. One drawback to plan for: wine tastings cost extra at each winery, on top of the tour price.

The big win here is the pairing of bio-climatic, architecture-forward winemaking and a second stop rooted in long-running tradition, with a tasting lineup that includes Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, and Cabernet Sauvignon. And the cherry on the table is the food: you get classic Greek snacks like rusks, gruyere, and pie at the winery where the tastings happen.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Private pickup and drop-off with an English-speaking driver, plus a ride by the Athenian Riviera early on.
• Two award-winning stops with contrasting styles: modern bio-climatic design in Markopoulo, and tradition-driven Nikolou Winery.
• Wine selection covers key Greek grapes plus international varieties, including Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Greek bites are part of the tasting experience at the traditional winery, including rusks, gruyere, and pies.
• Budgets need tasting fees: expect 20 to 25 EUR per person in each winery.
• Tour timing is appointment-based, so your exact start time is confirmed after booking.

Why This Athens Wine Day Feels Like a Real Escape

This tour is built around one simple idea: get out of the city without giving up comfort. You spend about six hours total, and you move through two distinct wine worlds, not just two back-to-back tastings. That matters because tasting sessions go best when you can actually talk to the team guiding you, notice differences between styles, and slow down enough to remember what you liked.

The route also makes sense for timing. You begin near Piraeus, then head toward Spata-area countryside. The early coastal ride sets the tone, then the day shifts into vineyards and cellar spaces where the focus becomes grapes, production, and how the wines are made.

And because it is a private tour, you avoid the awkward energy drain of waiting around for strangers. It is you and your group, with a driver who handles the driving and transitions.

Getting Picked Up in Piraeus and Enjoying the Coast

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel or cruise ship, with a private driver. The early leg includes about an hour connected to Piraeus, with time to experience the coastline of Athens and the Athenian Riviera views.

Practical note: if you hate rush-hour confusion, this is a smart move. Someone else is handling the logistics from the start. You just show up, sit back, and let the day begin. The tour also includes one bottle of water per person, which is a small thing, but it keeps you from doing the quick stress math right away.

If you are the type who likes to arrive at the first winery feeling calm, not already tired from navigating traffic, the setup here is a good match.

Markopoulo Mesogeas, a Bio-Climatic Winery with Real Design Cred

The first winery stop is in Markopoulo Mesogeas, and this is the modern side of Greek wine culture. The highlight is a bio-climatic approach, plus architecture that received recognition, including a 2008 Architecture Awards mention from the Hellenic Institute of Architecture.

What you experience here is not only about wine. You also get a sense of how the building supports the winemaking process. The winery is located near the Mediterranean beaches and close to the archaeological site of Vravrona. That geography shows up in the feel of the visit, airy and coastal rather than deep and rural.

The time at this stop is about two hours, which is long enough to take in the spaces and not just rush to tasting.

What You’ll See Inside: Winemaking, Bottling, Aging, Storage

A big reason this stop works is that it is not just a photo-op. You get sightseeing at the winery, including areas tied to production: wine-making, bottling, aging, and storage rooms located in the basement.

This kind of visit is valuable if you enjoy understanding what you are tasting. You start connecting the dots between how grapes are handled and what ends up in the glass. Even if you are not a wine expert, walking through these steps gives you a framework. You can ask questions, compare how the place is organized, and then approach tasting with more context.

One thing to watch: cellar areas and production rooms can feel cooler than outdoors. Wear something you can comfortably layer, so you are not stuck thinking about your temperature instead of enjoying the visit.

Nikolou Winery Since 1875, Stone Arches and Classic Tasting

Next comes Nikolou Winery, the more traditional counterpoint. This is a place with history dating to 1875, and it shows in the preserved folk architecture. You will see stone walls and grand stone arches, and the tasting area is set up for sampling multiple wines.

The tasting lineup includes Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. That variety is a smart choice for a mixed group. Malagouzia and Assyrtiko help you experience Greek grape identity, while Cabernet Sauvignon brings a more international style into the conversation.

The food here is also a major part of the value. You get traditional Greek dishes, including rusks, gruyere, traditional pies, sausage with pie, and a refreshing salad. This is the type of pairing that makes tastings feel like a meal, not just a numbered flight.

One small consideration: since tasting fees are not included in the tour price, your total cost will rise depending on what you choose to drink and how many tastings you take in each place.

Wines You’ll Likely Remember: Malagouzia and Assyrtiko

If you are planning your day around taste, your attention should go to the Greek grapes first. Malagouzia is one of those varieties that often surprises people who expect Greek wine to be only one thing. It is your entry into the sweeter-fruit side of Greek winemaking. Assyrtiko is the grape many visitors associate with Greek character, often crisp and structured, and it is a great comparison partner when you also taste something more international like Cabernet Sauvignon.

Because you are visiting two wineries, you also get a chance to compare how different producers interpret these grapes. That is one reason the pair of wineries matters. You are not just repeating the same tasting template twice.

Price and Budget Reality: What You Pay, What You Add On

The tour price is listed at $269.82 per person, lasts about six hours, and includes pickup and drop-off, a private car, an English-speaking driver, sightseeing at the wineries, and one bottle of water per person.

Here is the part you should budget for upfront: wine tasting fees are 20 to 25 EUR per person in each winery, and those tastings are not included in the tour price. Since there are two wineries, that adds up quickly if you plan to taste at both stops.

Still, the overall value can be strong if you care about two things:

• You want a private experience rather than a crowded group ride.
• You want enough time at each winery to see production areas, then taste with food rather than rushing through one quick pour.

Also, the Mercedes-style comfort mentioned in the review is a real marker of the day’s vibe. It is not a bare-bones transfer. You are paying for a smooth, guided private day with a nicer ride than you might expect from a casual tour.

If you prefer drinking a lot, buy into tastings early in your plan so you are not surprised by the bill later.

After Tasting: The In-House Shop and Taking Wine Home

After the Nikolou stop, you wrap up with time at an in-house shop. This is where you can purchase bottles you liked, so you are not left with the classic travel regret of walking away without something to remember the day.

This is also the time to think practically. If you are traveling with luggage space, check your airline rules and pack carefully. If you are staying in Greece for a bit longer, you may have a better chance of enjoying the bottles right away with dinner rather than worrying about storing them.

Even if you do not plan to buy, the shop time still gives the visit a satisfying ending. It turns tastings into something tangible.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a private Athens winery day with pickup and drop-off.
• Like learning as you taste, especially when you can see production spaces like aging and storage areas.
• Prefer a mix of Greek grapes and international styles.
• Want Greek food included as part of the winery experience, not as an afterthought.

It might be less ideal if you:

• Only want a simple, no-thinking tasting and dislike added fees.
• Are traveling with tight time limits for shopping or bottle purchases.
• Want five-minute stopovers, because this is built around time at two wineries, about four hours on-site total plus driving.

Should You Book This Athens Wine Tour?

I would book this if you want two winery experiences that complement each other, modern bio-climatic design in Markopoulo and traditional Nikolou Winery with stone arches and a food-forward tasting. The private ride, the time at each stop, and the chance to see production spaces make it feel like more than a quick taste stop.

Before you commit, do one quick budget check: tastings are 20 to 25 EUR per person in each winery. If you plan to taste at both stops, factor that into your total spend so there are no surprises.

If you want an easy, comfortable escape from Athens with real winery atmosphere and a tasting that includes Greek dishes, this is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the wine tour?

The tour runs about 6 hours.

How many wineries do you visit?

You visit two wineries.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel or cruise ship and drop-off back to your hotel are included.

Is the wine tasting fee included in the tour price?

No. Wine tasting costs 20 to 25 EUR per person in each winery.

What wines are mentioned for tasting?

The tour includes wines such as Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus more.

Do you get Greek food during the visit?

Yes. Traditional Greek dishes are included, including rusks, gruyere, and pies (plus items like sausage with pie and salad at the traditional winery).

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is private, so only your group participates.

Can the tour change if needed?

The tour may visit alternate wineries depending on availability.

What if I need to cancel?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.