As a tourist destination, Athens is a city full of cool attractions. From archaeological sites, museums, shops, traditional restaurants and trendy bars to white sand beaches with clear waters. Athens has something for everyone. If you are staying in Athens for a couple of days, it’s worth making a day trip and discover a different part of Greece. Here is a list of the most popular day trips from Athens:
The best Athens Day Trips
A day trip to Delphi
Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece and home to the famous oracle. Delphi was declared as a World Heritage Center from UNESCO. On your day excursion to Delphi, you will have the chance to visit the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre and the archaeological museum among other places of interest. On your way to Delphi, you can also stop to the nearby village of Arachova, a very popular winter resort.
Book a tour – Delphi Day Trip from Athens
Why not combine Delphi and Meteora with this two day tour? – Find here more information.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
Sounio is located only 69 km away from Athens making it the perfect half day or full day trip from Athens. At Sounio you will have the chance to visit the temple of Poseidon that dates back from 44 BC and admire the incredible view of the Aegean sea. During the summer months, you can swim in the crystal clear waters of a nearby beach and have some fresh seafood in a seafront taverna. Don’t forget to admire one of the most magnificent sunsets.
Read more about Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
If you are looking for guided tours. I suggest the following:
A full day trip to Sounio including meze approx 8 hours.
If you don’t have a lot of time you can book the half day sunset tour to Sounio it leaves at around 5 pm and lasts approx 4 hours or
this half day afternoon tour to Sounio that leaves around 3 pm and lasts approx 4 hours.
Hydra, Poros and Aegina day cruise from Athens
On this day cruise, you will visit 3 Saronic islands in one day. Starting from the picturesque island of Hydra, then going to the green island of Poros and lastly the island of Aegina where you can visit the temple of Aphaea and taste the world’s famous pistachios. Lunch is served on board, and live entertainment with Greek music and traditional dances is also included. With this day cruise, you will have the chance to taste three different Greek islands on a day.
Read more about the day cruise in Hydra, Poros, and Aegina
Find more information and book this day cruise
Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio
On this day trip to Peloponnese, you will visit some of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, Mycenae, and Epidaurus. Mycenae was the city of mythical Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan war. There you will have the chance to visit the archaeological site and the beautiful museum. Nearby is the archaeological site of Asklipieion at Epidaurus which was declared as a World Heritage Center from UNESCO and was one of the most important healing places at ancient times. Apart from the area of Asklipieion, you will visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus and the museum. Lastly, you can visit one of Greece’s most picturesque towns Nafplio. In Nafplio you can visit the Palamidi castle or wander through the cobbled alleys and admire the architecture.
If you have just one day and you want to visit all three places I totally recommend this tour:
Full-Day Mycenae & Epidaurus Trip from Athens
Read more about the Asklipieion at Epidaurus
Meteora
Meteora is a place of unique beauty, famous around the world for its gigantic rock pillars and monasteries that are built on their summits. Meteora is not only one of the biggest monastic centers in Greece but a place with incredible nature. It is not very close to Athens but you can still visit it as a day trip.
Suggested tours to Meteora from Athens
- By rail (please note that the train is not always punctual in Greece) – More info about the tour
- If you have more time you can easily combine Delphi and Meteora on this 2 day tour – More info about the tour
Have you ever been to Athens?
Did you make any day trip outside of Athens?
What was your favorite?
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