The high agricultural valley south of Tripoli, with the ancient temple of Athena Alea (designed by Skopas in the 4th century BC) and the Moschofilero vineyards of the Tripoli plateau.
Tegea is the high agricultural valley south of Tripoli at 650 metres — flat, fertile, ringed by mountains, planted with vines and wheat. It was one of the most important cities of ancient Arcadia.
Modern Tegea is sleepy — a string of farming villages, the largest of which (Alea) sits over the ancient site. The Temple of Athena Alea (4th century BC, designed by the great sculptor Skopas of Paros) is one of the three or four most important temples of the classical period — the foundations are intact, fenced, free, signed; the column drums lie where they fell. The small but well-curated Tegea Archaeological Museum next to the site holds the surviving Skopas sculpture and a remarkable mosaic floor — €10, an hour, closed Tuesdays. The valley is the heartland of Moschofilero — Greece’s distinctive aromatic white wine grape, grown only at altitude. Three or four wineries on the plateau (Tselepos, Bosinakis, Troupis) accept visits with tastings of Moschofilero, Agiorgitiko and the local sparkling. The valley is also famous for gounes — heavy woollen blankets woven on traditional looms in two villages (Stadio and Mavriki). Tegea is a half-day stop on any Arcadia loop, or a day-trip from Tripoli, Vytina or Dimitsana. Don’t sleep here; sleep up the road.
A half-day Tegea visit.
Thirty minutes at the temple foundations in the village centre. If the gate is locked, ask at the museum.
An hour at the Archaeological Museum, 150 m away. Closed Tuesdays.
Ten minutes to the estate at Rizes (booking required).
Guided tour and tasting — the premium flight is five wines. Two hours.
Twenty minutes in a working weaver's loom-room.
Continue west to your evening base.
Within thirty minutes.
Fifteen minutes north — the working capital. Detail on the Tripoli page.
Fifty-five minutes north-west. Detail on the Vytina page.
Thirty minutes north — the parallel ancient site and wine area.
Seventy minutes west — stone village. Detail on the Dimitsana page.
Tell us a little about the trip you want — pace, who's coming, how you'd like to spend your mornings. We'll build the days.
