Hellenic Battlefield Tours & Heritage A.E. is the premier provider of military history experiences in Greece. We specialize in tours of Greece’s most famous battlefields, from the Persian Wars 2.500 years ago to the dramatic battles of WW2. We are dedicated to bringing to our customers the past into life on the very ground where history was written. Fully licensed to operate tours throughout Greece, we collaborate exclusively with expert military advisors who share a deep passion and scholarly understanding of military history. Our tours are not generic sightseeing trips - they are unique, immersive historical journeys.
We explore historical battlefields and locations of military significance through narrative storytelling, analysis of tactics, terrain and discussion of historical sources. These experiences are not archaeological or museum guided tours nor do they constitute official guided tours of protected archaeological sites. The experience emphasizes historical narrative, military analysis and landscape interpretation rather than monument-focused guiding.
Whether you are a casual history enthusiast, a dedicated military scholar, a history-loving family or cultural tourist looking for something new, we tailor each experience to bring your interests to life with accuracy, depth and respect for the past.
Our services include half-day, full-day and multiday scheduled tours as well as tailor-made itineraries designed according to your individual interests and requirements.
Other than our tour programs, we also provide experiential learning to academic, business or military groups by combining battlefield surveys with classroom lecturing on any relevant theme, from leadership examples to strategy, decision making and organizational planning.
Why choose us:
- The only company of its kind in Greece specializing in battlefield tours
- Professional, reliable service with personal attention
- Small groups for personal experience
- Expert commentary by military advisors
- Authentic, educational and emotionally powerful
- Tours combine historical itinerary with stunning landscapes
- Availability of ancient weapon replicas
- Flexible and customised options for private tours
At Hellenic Battlefield Tours & Heritage A.E., we don’t simply take you on a historical battlefield walk - we help you experience it. Join us on one of our tours for an unforgettable, educational and pleasant experience!
Meet our team of military advisors
Major General (retired) Panagiotis Gartzonikas has commanded at every army level from platoon to division. A graduate of the Military Academy he served as an Armor officer in a variety of leadership assignments. At formation level he commanded the 20th Armor Division and 88th Infantry Brigade of Lemnos Island. Key staff appointments include Director of the Army General Staff Plans and Policy Branch (G5) and Deputy Director of the Army General Staff Operations Branch (G3).
He has worked in international organizations leading multinational and multicultural teams in developing countries in Middle East and Central Asia for both EU and NATO. As European Union Long Term Observer for the first Palestinian elections in 1995, he deployed to the West Bank and Gaza participating in the first EU operation abroad. He also spent three years in NATO as Planning Team Leader at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) G5 Plans. In that capacity he deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and served an eight month-tour at HQ ISAF. As ARRC G5 Plans Team Leader he actively participated in planning and conduct of staff rides in Arnhem, Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, Ardennes and Normandy.
He has worked in international organizations leading multinational and multicultural teams in developing countries in Middle East and Central Asia for both EU and NATO. As European Union Long Term Observer for the first Palestinian elections in 1995, he deployed to the West Bank and Gaza participating in the first EU operation abroad. He also spent three years in NATO as Planning Team Leader at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) G5 Plans. In that capacity he deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and served an eight month-tour at HQ ISAF. As ARRC G5 Plans Team Leader he actively participated in planning and conduct of staff rides in Arnhem, Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, Ardennes and Normandy.
He has worked in international organizations leading multinational and multicultural teams in developing countries in Middle East and Central Asia for both EU and NATO. As European Union Long Term Observer for the first Palestinian elections in 1995, he deployed to the West Bank and Gaza participating in the first EU operation abroad. He also spent three years in NATO as Planning Team Leader at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) G5 Plans. In that capacity he deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and served an eight month-tour at HQ ISAF. As ARRC G5 Plans Team Leader he actively participated in planning and conduct of staff rides in Arnhem, Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, Ardennes and Normandy.
He has taught Strategy at the Military Academy and he is since 2014 a lecturer at the National Defence College. Moreover he is the editor of the STRATEGIKON e-journal (https://strategikon.gr).
He is one of the founding members of ABS Advanced Battlefield Studies Greece, a 2019 pioneering battlefield tours and survey company which is the predecessor of Hellenic Battlefield & Heritage Tours A.E.
Major General (retired) Stavros Koutris, a graduate of “Evelpidon” Military Academy, Class ’78, has served as an officer in several Infantry and Special Forces units and has commanded all army levels from platoon to division. As a staff officer has served to several Staffs from Corps level to the Ministry of National Defence. He was appointed to PJHQ, Northwood UK, as Greek liaison officer during the first British commanding tour of ISAF in Kabul Afghanistan and as a military advisor to Hellenic Delegation to the OSCE, Vienna.
His senior assignments were Director G3/Hellenic Army General Staff, Commander of “Evelpidon” Military Academy and Commander of 98th Infantry Division of Lesvos island.
During his career as a staff officer, he was involved in National Defence Planning and conducted three main studies as chief executive officer: Special Forces for the ARMY 2010 (1999), Transformation and Reorganisation of the Hellenic Army (2006) and Restructuring the Education and Training of Army Officer (2010).
He graduated from several infantry and special forces schools in Greece, US and NATO and he was an active paratrooper and underwater demolition team member. He is a graduate of the Supreme War College, Thessaloniki Greece and NATO Defence College, Rome.
He was awarded an MSc degree in Computer Science from the University of Essex, UK and a Diploma in Strategy and International Relations from the CENTRE D’ ΈTUDE DIPLOMATIQUES ET STRATΈGIQUES (CEDS), Greece.
He is an external fellow at the Hellenic National Defence College and one of the founding members of ABS Advanced Battlefield Studies Greece, a 2019 pioneering battlefield tours and survey company which is the predecessor of Hellenic Battlefield & Heritage Tours A.E.