Inhabited for some 7,000 years, Argos is one of the great legacies of the ancient world. Considered the second oldest city in Ancient Greece and the earliest that’s been continually populated, Argos continues to impress visitors with its grand theatre, ancient temples and excellent Archaeological Museum. It has evolved into a bustling city that offers a huge range of shops and restaurants, catering for the modern tastes of visitors who come to discover a fabulous history. Argos is situated 130 kilometres south-west of Athens.
The imposing Argos amphitheatre hardly looks real, crumbling stone rows rising in thick steps above the city. Wander to the top, and there are views onto other ruins, such as the Temple of Venus and the last vestiges of the ancient Agora. These landmarks enable visitors to soak up the atmosphere of history, while the Archaeological Museum in the main city square helps to showcase the detail. Excavated finds from Argos are displayed here, including many spectacular stone sculptures. Many visitors also head out to a mystical citadel at Larissa, situated on a hill above verdant plains, and an old fortress at Hellinikon.
Most visitors to Argos come on historical tours that also visit a myriad of ruins in the surrounding area. The city is close to the A7 that winds south towards Nafplio. When using public transport, it’s easiest to get to coastal Nafplio, 12 kilometres from Argos.
Archaeologists believe that a Neolithic community existed here since 5000 BC before Argos was colonised by the Pelasgian Greeks. The city evolved during the Mycenaean era when it rivalled Sparta as the most dominant city on the planet.