14 Delightful Day Trips from Athens, Greece
There are so many great things to do in Athens. On my trip there, I stayed for 5 days and that could easily have spanned into 7 days or more with all the day trips from Athens that I wanted to include.
You see, even though this incredibly historic European city is often used as a short stop-off on the way to the picture-perfect Greek islands, there’s a lot more going for it than simply the Acropolis.
If you’re interested in Greek history and exploring the culture of the country itself, a few excursions to Athens’ beautiful surroundings are 100% worth it.
My favourite Travel resources for Athens
✅ Here’s the hotel we stayed at during our time there.
✅ Top Athens day trips: The City of Delphi, the Hydra and Poros islands
✅ To see more of Athens, I highly recommend hiring a car.
What are the best day trips from Athens?
If you’re considering one of the many Athens day trips on offer, you’re in the right place. From history to island hopping, Greece is a wonderful European travel destination with a little something for everyone.
Taking some trips deeper into the country will only make you love it more. So, here are the 14 best day trips from Athens.
1. Nafplio
This charming little Peloponnese coastal town was once the capital of the modern State of Greece. A popular wedding spot, it’s now often called the most romantic place in the country and for very good reason.
Think cobbled streets, cute stores, family-owned restaurants, a beautiful secluded bay, harbourfront views, and a delightful Archeological museum. It’s only a two-hour drive from Athens, and such a hidden gem, but you can easily spend a full day here.
This was an amazing day trip from Athens we did and I loved every second in Nafplio. We hired a car and drove there. Considering the Greek drive on the opposite side of the road to what we’re used to, it wasn’t a bad drive.
We parked at the harbour and walked across the town to the castle first, passing some beautiful gardens and yummy-smelling restaurants on the way. From there, we explored some of the pretty pebbled coves.
It was literally empty, so would’ve been perfect if you wanted a place to escape the crowds for a bit. Mind you, it was a bit chilly but it was October!
Next, we simply wandered the streets. It’s an Instagrammers paradise and I managed to get some great pictures of the town. We stopped for food at a delightful little taverna where we had some of the most delicious food I’d had during my stay in Greece.
I was quite sad when it was time to drive back. If I could, I would’ve definitely spent longer in Nafplio. It’s hand down my favourite of these day trips from Athens.
✅ I recommend this company for affordable car hire in Athens
2. Delphi
This is probably one of the best day tours from Athens for history fans. Well, it’s a close tie with Mycenae, but we’ll get to that!
Delphi is a town on Mount Parnassus and the site of the 4th century B.C. Temple of Apollo, once home to an ancient oracle. The formerly sacred place was lost for a millennium before being rediscovered in 1897.
There are two main sites to visit. The Tholos (circular building pictured above), was built around 390 BC and the Sanctuary of Apollo (pictured below) was built half a mile from its counterpart.
According to ancient myth, the God Zeus released two eagles, one from the east, and the other from the west. They flew in opposite directions and met at the future site of Delphi. This was then considered by ancient Greeks to be the centre of the world.
It’s pretty easy to get from Athens to Delphi, however, when we went to visit Delphi, we went via a small group tour. Our guide was super knowledgeable about the site – he was able to fill us in on all this history and more.
👉 Check out our experience visiting Delphi here.
On par with the Acropolis of Athens for historical importance, the UNESCO World Heritage site combines magnificent mountain views with its importance in Greek mythology. Delphi is easily one of the high points of a visit to Greece.
3. Corinth Canal
Located in south-central Greece, Corinth marks the place where the land meets the sea. The town is considered the gateway to the Peloponnese Peninsula. It’s also a perfect example of where the ancient meets the modern.
Once one of the largest and wealthiest city-states in Greece, Corinth has two major parts: one on the Corinthian Gulf and one on the Saronic Gulf. Today, you’ll find the pretty coastal city sitting alongside the site of Ancient Corinth, the hill of Acrocorinth and the stunning canal.
One of the closer day trips from Athens, Corinth is only an hour’s drive west of the city. A lot of tours include a trip to Corinth.
But, once again, we decided to drive because those tours didn’t cover everything that we wanted to see. A lot of them just make a small photo stop at the canal.
If you’d rather not drive, this tour is by far the best.
We stopped at the Corinth Canal first. It’s still the town’s top attraction and was finished in 1893. This involved an excavation up to 80 meters in depth to create the 6.3 kilometres-long, 23-meter-wide canal. It was honestly a pretty impressive sight!
4. Historical Sites of Corinth
After we’d explored the canal, we headed up into the mountains to visit Ancient Corinth. A vast historical site, we were there for well over an hour wandering around the ruins of the formally impressive city and the Temple of Apollo.
The archaeological museum is also next to the site, and worth a visit to learn even more about the history.
After that, we drove up a thin, very winding path up a mountain to Acrocorinth, which translates as ‘Upper Corinth’. Despite it being a bit of a nail-biting journey, the castle at the top was well worth it.
The views across the city went on for miles and we learned how Acrocorinth was fortified in ancient times. Through multiple time periods, its walls are now almost 2 kilometres in length.
The path that leads to the highest point, to the former Temple of Aphrodite, has the best views. But, be warned, it’s not the easiest on your legs!
Tip: Ancient Corinth isn’t usually part of the guided tours, so if you want to visit it’s much easier to hire a car and head there yourself. You can hire a car here.
5. Arachova
Tucked away in the mountains, Arachova is a town like no other. Also commonly included on a tour stop – this is how we saw it – it’s well worth a full day trip because it’s truly beautiful and the views are equally as gorgeous.
Located on the way to Delphi, nestled delicately at the foot of Mount Parnassós, it’s one of the few places in Greece that are suitable for skiing.
Because it’s located so high in the mountains, the snow creates some wonderful slopes perfect as a wintery escape for ski lovers.
Of course, it’s also suitable for people on a day trip from Athens who wish to relax or go hiking in a dreamy mountainous setting. As well as skiing, simply walking around the town can provide a delightful escape from the city centre.
The streets are hilly and winding, looping around the small shops, boutique hotels and slopeside houses.
Athens locals come here on weekend breaks to escape the city for a while. Enjoy hot snacks and fruity drinks in cafés, or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops), or enjoy the surprisingly vibrant nightlife after dark.
6. Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion can be found about 70 km southeast of Athens, on the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. The Temple of Poseidon there is its most popular attraction. Many tour operators run both daytime and sunset trips there.
Legend has it that this is the site where Aegeus, King of Athens, fell into the sea because he believed he had lost his son. The Athenians later named the sea after him and, even today, it is known as the Aegean Sea.
Considered one of the must-do day trips from Athens, Cape Sounion is famous both for its historical significance, remains that date from as early as the 8th century BC, and for its beautiful sunset.
The sunset is the main reason that the tours operate at dusk. The views across the Aegean are breathtaking! If sunset views are one of the things you look for in a Greek getaway, you won’t want to miss this.
7. Meteora
Nature lovers, history fans, photographers or anyone who loves a one-of-a-kind view will adore Meteora. The World Heritage Site is one of the most impressive regions of Greece and even one of the most beautiful towns in Europe.
Studies show that the staggered rocks were first formed 60 million years ago. They have been battered into their current shape by both weather and earthquakes. Perched on top of those dramatic rocks are the monasteries.
Built thousands of years ago they have remained untouched to this day. The rocks are a wonderful symbol of Greece’s past. Consequently, Meteora attracts thousands of tourists, many of whom are on Athens day tours, every year.
Of the 25 monasteries that were originally built, only 6 are still operational and open for the public to visit. The largest – the Grand (Megalo) Monastery – has unique architecture and breathtaking views of the valley below.
As well as monasteries, you can also visit Meteora for hiking, rock climbing and some stunning photo opportunities.
The best way to reach Meteora from Athens is by train. You could also book one of the day tours from Athens. However, unlike the other tours where you are picked up from your hotel, many of these involve you getting a train too as it’s simply the easiest way to get there.
The tour guide will then pick you up from the train station at the other end.
✅ This is one of the most unique places you can visit in Greece
8. Mycenae
In the northeast of the Peloponnese, Mycenae is located around 120 kilometres southwest of Athens. It’s one of the most important and well-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the region and is located close to Nafplio town.
There are once again plenty of tours from Athens, but we visited Mycenae by car before driving on to Nafplion.
Dating back to the Late Bronze Era, this was the town of the legendary King Agamemnon. He was the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War.
According to myth, the huge surrounding walls were constructed by Cyclops. The area was centred around the military and hence was the setting for many Greek tragedies, especially ones regarding the King and his family.
Walk around the ancient site of Mycenae, you’ll find a small museum and several impressive tombs. The most photographed attractions of the area are the Lion Gate (above) and the Treasury of Atreus.
The site is also located on a hilltop with some pretty views of the surrounding countryside.
9. Lake Marathon
For a step away from ancient history and back to nature, a trip to Lake Marathon is relaxing and the perfect spot to unwind. People frequently make day trips from Athens to the lake to escape the bustling city life. It’s ideal if you have an extended stay in the city.
About an hour’s drive from Athens, Marathon is a water supply reservoir embedded in a beautiful mountainous area. The Dam was constructed in the 1930s and served as Athens’ main water source for decades.
Nowadays, the most popular thing to do at Lake Marathon is simply to go for a relaxing walk and drink in the gorgeous views. The lake is a mile across, so, plenty of walkways have been constructed so people can enjoy the lake from all angles.
It’s also a great spot for bird-watching with hawks, owls and water birds to spot. Be sure to bring your binoculars!
As well as the lake, you can also find an archaeological site in Marathon and a museum. Both are worth checking out if you also enjoy a little history. There are boardwalks, cosy cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect way to spend a day.
10. Eleusis
Located about 32 minutes from Athens, Eleusis is a small town with a big history. It’s located right between Athens and Corinth.
So, it might be possible to combine the two on one of your day trips from Athens. A truly fascinating town, it’s received recognition as the European Capital of Culture for 2021! And here’s why:
It was once home to the Eleusinian Mysteries. According to legend, these were secret religious rites created by Demeter, the goddess of harvest and agriculture. They represented fertility, immortality and regeneration.
The curious part is, that even though thousands took part in the rituals, hardly anyone revealed what actually took place. It is said that speaking of the rituals was punishable by death. Today, you can still visit the site where the Mysteries took place, the archaeological site and the museum.
If that wasn’t enough, Eleusis was also one of the 5 sacred cities of Ancient Greece. Its treacherous port is known as the Graveyard of Ships as it has dozens of shipwrecks.
Plus, in the archaeological site of Eleusis, there is a mystical cavern where, according to legend, the god of the Underworld, Hades, was seen.
So, if you’re interested in this fascinating town, I’d recommend adding it to your list of Athens day trips! To get there, you can either take a bus, which will take around 50 min or drive, which will take around 30.
11. Hydra, Poros and Aegina Islands
One of the most popular island day trips from Athens is to the idyllic islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina.
Hydra is famous for its architecture, streets of the old town which are scattered with boutique shops and traditional tavernas, and cosy little beach coves. There’s not too much sightseeing on this little Greek island.
But hiking one of the many walking paths to spectacular sea views is a popular option. There are also bastions, a few museums and monasteries to explore.
Poros is similar, with some stunning beach views and water sports. The picturesque waterfront promenade has views across the Pelopenses mountains.
You can visit the archaeological museum or Poros, climb the whitewashed clock tower, or visit the remains of the ancient temple of Poseidon.
Aegina features a few more archaeological sites that fans of ancient Greece will love. The Archaeological Museum of Aegina was the first museum to be established in the modern Greek State. It is full of interesting artefacts.
You can also visit the stunning Monastery of Agios Nektarios and visit the archaeological site of Kolona. The Temple of Aphaia is also close by, which is older than the Parthenon in Athens.
There are several day trips and organised tours to these islands that embark from Athens daily. But, if you’d like a little more freedom on your trip, you could also take a ferry which departs from Piraeus port almost 5 times per day. The ferry takes about 2 hours.
✅ These stunning Greek islands can be visited easily from Athens!
12. Nemea
Popular among both wine lovers and fans of ancient Greek history alike, Nemea is one of the most popular destinations in the Peloponnese.
An hour and a half southwest of Athens, past Corinth, Nemea is home to the largest single vineyard in all of Greece and produces world-renowned wine.
It also has a captivating history. Legend has it that Nemea is where Hercules performed his first labour. It is said that he killed the Nemean lion that ravaged the area at the time and terrified the locals. It was after this, that he was known as a hero.
Today, you can visit the archaeological site that depicts this. It is also the site of the revival of The Nemea Games. This was a sporting event in ancient Nemea that used to take place every two years (in turn with the Olympic Games) since 573 BC.
You can visit the 40,000-capacity stadium where these games took place, along with the archaeological museum and temple of Nemeios Zeus.
13. Epidaurus
For one of the most popular and largest Ancient Theatres in Greece with a seriously impressive view, Epidaurus is one of the most wonderful day trips from Athens. On the northeastern side of the Peloponnese, in the region of Argolis,
Epidaurus is mostly known and visited for the ancient theatre. And trust me, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth a visit. However, the nearby town is also lovely and shouldn’t be forgotten.
There are pretty villages and beaches close to the ancient site, including a charming fishing village with a couple of traditional taverns specialising in fresh, local seafood, and some small, scenic beaches.
In summer, because of the stunning acoustics of the theatre, it is still used today for live performances. It’s worth checking out the nearby archaeological museum and healing Sanctuary of Asklepios too.
Epidaurus is often a stop on the Athens to Delphi tour. But to properly spend time in the area, you can drive there from Athens. The drive is roughly 2 hours but can be combined with a road trip to Nafplio or Mycenae.
However, when you get there, it’s one of the most wonderful day trips from Athens. The views across the mountains really are the cherry on top.
14. Parnitha National Park
If you enjoy hiking and exploring the outdoors, a day trip to Parnitha National Park will be right up your street. Situated about 30km north of Athens, this beautiful park offers countless trails and chances to explore the mountains in Greece.
This is an excellent way to see a side of Greece that not many non-locals get to see as tourists typically head south to the Greek islands instead.
Visiting Parnitha National Park is actually pretty easy from Athens too. The drive takes one hour and the roads are pretty straightforward – once again, if you do this, I recommend hiring a car.
Alternatively, you can take a bus (the Green Line) to Nea Ionia. From there, catch the bus straight to Thrakomakedones.
Once you arrive, there’s plenty to do. The park boasts an extensive network of well-marked hiking trails, suitable for hikers of all levels. However, if you don’t fancy hiking up the entire mountain, you could always take the cable car instead.
This cable car is free, but it will actually take you to a casino, instead of to the mountain itself, but just exit the casino and you’ll be able to get back to nature. Alternatively, you could stay at the casino, play a few games, or grab some food with a view.
If you enjoy nature and the outdoors, this is an excellent day trip from Athens. I also think it’s a wonderful way to see a different side of Greece and is well worth a trip.
How do you get from Athens to Delphi?
There are a few ways to get from Athens to Delphi; the most popular is to go via a tour company. There are plenty of tours that operate between the two destinations and the tours are usually well-organised and informative:
However, if you’d like a little more control over your time there, you can also get from Athens to Delphi in a couple of other ways:
- Bus – To get to Delphi from Athens, you’ll need to head to the Liossion bus station and catch the KTEL bus. Make sure to check that the direction is towards Delphi. The bus trip from Athens to Delphi will take about 3 hours. To book bus tickets, click here.
- Car – To get from Athens to Delphi by car you have to take the National Greek Road from Athens to Lamia. Then, you follow the directions to Levadia and continue towards Delphi. The journey is about 181 km and will take you around 2.5 hours. To hire a car, click here.
Can you do day trips to the islands from Athens?
Absolutely! Athens serves as an excellent hub for exploring the Greek islands on day trips. The city’s proximity to the Aegean Sea makes it the perfect place to start your island-hopping adventure.
There are several islands that you can easily visit within a day from Athens, including Aegina, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses.
Ferries and hydrofoils depart from the bustling Piraeus Port, which is just a short journey from the city centre. Each island has its unique charm and character, from Aegina’s historical sites to Hydra’s car-free tranquillity.
The short travel time allows you to maximize your island exploration without committing to an overnight stay, perfect if you want to visit a few different islands during your time in Athens.
You can even do day trips to some of the most popular islands from Athens, like Mykonos and Santorini. However, I’d personally allow a few days to explore these, as the travel time is further.
How do you get from Athens to Santorini?
One of the most popular of the Greek islands, people often want to make the trip from Athens to Santorini (or Mykonos) as part of their island-hopping journey.
There are several ways to get between the two:
Ferry
The most common ferry departs at 7:30 am daily and runs between Athens and Santorini. This is the Blue Star route.
towards the peak season, starting in early April, additional SeaJets and Golden Star Ferries also operate high-speed services between Athens and the island. Ferries take roughly 5 hours. To book a ferry, click here.
Flight
The flight between Athens and Santorini is also simple to book and take. Between June and September, there are typically over 15 flights per day with RyanAir, EasyJet, Aegean Airlines, and Olympic Air.
Be aware that, due to the difference in speed, flights often sell out much quicker than ferries. So be sure to book yours in advance to guarantee a seat. The flight will take about 50 minutes. To book cheap flights, click here.
Tour
If you’re considering day trips from Athens and have always wanted to see Santorini, then you’ll also be pleased to know that 2-day tours are also available. This hassle-free tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in both Athens and Santorini. There are also 5-day tours to Santorini and Mykonos.
A 3-star hotel for one night in Santorini is included in the price with free breakfast. You’ll have a full day of free time to explore Santorini which is enough to see Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, a couple of wineries, and the Akrotiri historical site.
If you don’t want the hassle of arranging this yourself, this is a great option, but if you prefer more time, I recommend the first two.
What are the best day trips from Athens for couples?
If you’re in Greece as a couple, there are plenty of day trips from Athens that would be suitable. Of course, this all depends on what you’re into. If you love history, then the Athens to Delphi route is easily the best option.
Whereas, if you’re more of a fan of idyllic islands, beautiful beaches and boat tours, then a relaxing trip to Hydra would be more up your street.
Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips from Athens
Overall, Athens is a wonderful city to visit. Not only is the history in the city itself absolutely fantastic, but there are so many wonderful places within an easy day trip to Athens that can turn your trip from a short city break, into a week-long summer holiday!
You can visit so much from mountain tip historical sites to stunning Greek islands. So, if you thought a trip to Athens was just about the Acropolis, I hope you have been very pleasantly surprised!
👉 Planning a trip to Athens? Check out my favourite places to stay in the city.
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Thank you for these great suggestions. I’m going to Athens and Santorini at the end of December and was looking for some great day trips. Much appreciated.