These day trips from Athens are all great suggestions if you find yourself with extra time in the Greek capital. Take your pick from visiting beaches, UNESCO sites, Greek islands and seeing a memorable sunset.
With its abundance of things to see and do, Athens is a great place to visit during your vacation in Greece. It is also ideally positioned so you can reach a number of interesting places and important historical sites in Greece on day tours from Athens.
What Are The Best Day Trips From Athens?
From quaint Greek islands, to the remains of ancient civilizations, there's plenty of choice when it comes to excursions from Athens.
The Best Athens Day Trips are:
If you're looking for some interesting places to explore outside of Athens in order to see different parts of Greece, this article is just for you!
I have put together some of the most popular and interesting excursions around Athens, along with all the information you might need.
Do It Yourself or Book A Tour
All of these popular day trips can be made independently or by organised tour. If you have some days free and want to combine a few of these trips, you could do it yourself by hiring a car.
This will most likely work out cheaper and more convenient for 3 or more people travelling together. It will also give you more time to explore each destination at your own pace, which you can't necessarily do on a guided tour.
If you only have a day free though, it will probably be easier to book a tour. I have included details for both cases.
1. Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon
This is one of the most popular tours, and for good reason. Not only do you get to visit a magnificent Ancient Greek temple, but you see an amazing sunset as well.
Many people choose to visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon as an afternoon half-day tour from Athens. The drive there takes you along spectacular coastal roads, and you may even find time to check out a few beaches on the way in the summer.
By arriving at the archaeological complex an hour or so before sunset, you can take a look around the temple, and then watch the sunset. I love visiting this temple, and it's a very memorable trip!
Note – Make sure you know where your bus driver will be if you go wandering off from the guide. It's a long walk back to the city!
** Take a tour: Try this half-day tour to Cape Sounion. **
You might also be interested in: A full day private day tour in Athens including trip to Sounion – Click here.
Do the Sounion tour independently: Read more about how to visit Cape Sounion.
2. Delphi Day Trip From Athens
Delphi was one of the most important areas in Ancient Greece, and is also one of the most visited archaeological sites today. A day trip to Delphi will take in the Temple of Apollo and the museum, and usually pay a visit to the town of Arachova.
The UNESCO site of Delphi has an important place in Ancient Greek mythology and history. The site of the famous oracle, it was also thought to be the navel of the world.
Today, the remains of the Temple of Apollo, stadiums and theatres can be seen, as well as stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The Delphi Museum is also magnificent, and it's essential to visit here as well to fully understand the site.
I've been fortunate to have visited Delphi several times now, and love the setting and ambiance. It's a place I really recommend visiting if you can.
Visiting Delphi With A Tour: Visiting Delphi is one of the most popular bus tours from Athens. There are a number of different types available, most of which are priced around 90 Euros.
** Check out a typical Day Trip To Delphi From Athens click here. **
Visiting Delphi Independently: The best way to visit Delphi would be by car. You can find information here about hiring a car in Athens. I have previously written an article about Delphi which you can read here – Delphi. You can also find out about My Big Fat Greek Road Trip!
3. Greek Island Day Trips: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina
The islands of Greece are all individual, unique and special. Although many of them are not reachable on a day tour from Athens, these three are.
Hydra, Poros and Aegina are part of an island chain located in the Saronic Gulf. They are just a few hours away from Athens by ferry, but it's much easier to visit them all as part of an organised tour.
Visiting them will give you a taste of what the islands of Greece are all about. You'll get to spend a few hours on each one, which will give a chance to explore some of the port towns and other highlights.
This trip is sometimes known as the classic ‘3 Islands cruise from Athens‘, or the Saronic Gulf islands tour.
A cruise to the nearby islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina is ideal for anyone who is visiting Greece, but who is unable to travel to any of the other islands during their vacation.
Pro Tip – Prices on board these ferries to Hydra and other islands for soft drinks and food are very high. I suggest you bring plenty of your own water for the day trip.
Visit the three islands independently: It is possible to do this, but is probably going to be a pain for most people. A combination of different ferry times, prices, and ever increasing ferry strike action makes it a hassle you probably don't want on your vacation. It's easier to visit just Hydra if you're determined to do it yourself, and it will give you more time to discover the beaches by water taxi.
You can read more about my experiences visiting these islands here – Three islands Cruise. Yes, this was on an organised day cruise!
4. Athens Excursions : Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio
Of all the possible day trips from Athens, I think this one offers the most value in terms of what you can see during one day. You get to visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as a town often described as the prettiest in Greece.
Starting from the city, you would drive out to the Peloponnese, and most likely stop at Corinth Canal along the way. A stop at Ancient Corinth is also a possibility, but in my opinion, it's ruins are not the best in Greece.
After that, you would continue on to the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus, before reaching the wonderful town of Nafplio.
This tour is a must for anyone who is interested in Ancient Greece and Greek history. The archaeological site of Mycenae is arguably the birthplace of Greek civilisation, being the most important centre during the bronze age. The incredible walls still amaze to this day, due to the sheer size of the rocks used.
Epidaurus is also a very important place, known mainly for the unique acoustics in the theatre. You can quite literally hear a pin drop!
The Healing Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is also a must visit when on the site. This acted as a place of pilgrimage for people seeking cures from ailments. People from all around the ancient Greek world and beyond would travel here to be healed!
Finally, Nafplio is often cited as the prettiest town in Greece. You will see why when you visit and wander through its charming streets!
Visit Independently: You are going to need to hire a car to do this trip by yourself. Or, as I did one time, a bicycle. Personally, I would visit the three places but choose to stay overnight at Nafplio if driving rather than returning to the city in one day. You can read about my experiences in Mycenae here.
5. Athens Day Tours: Corinth and Olympia
This is one of the longer bus tours you can take, but certainly worth the effort.
Ancient Olympia was of course the home of the original Olympics, thought to date back at least 3000 years. It's an impressive archaeological site, and remarkable to think that ancient Greek city states would have a truce period so their athletes could travel and compete there!
Visit Independently: There's no escaping the fact you are going to need a car if you want to visit Corinth and Olympia on a day trip from Athens! In reality, you would probably want to stay the night at Olympia. You could then tie it in with seeing some other places of interest on the Peloponnese.
Somewhat randomly, I took some tourists on a 2 day tour of the Peloponnese, which included a trip to Olympia (this is not something I normally do!). You can find out more here – My 2 day tour of the Peloponnese.
6. Meteora Day Trip
Now, I am not going to lie to you, Meteora is a LONG way from Athens. This is going to be a really full-on day trip, with a lot of time spent on a train or in a car.
If it is your only chance to visit Meteora though, I strongly suggest you give it a go. The area is quite simply breathtaking.
Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in central Greece. It is famous for its monasteries which are built somewhat precariously on the top of huge rock pillars.
This is an area of Greece where nature and man have connected harmoniously.The views and scenery are simply incredible. Due to its northerly location, this is the longest of the day trips from Athens, but still very possible.
I've visited the Meteora World Heritage area 4 or 5 times now, and will go once again in the future because I enjoy it so much. There's something indefinably appealing about the view of the natural rock formations and feeling of wandering around the area.
Visiting Meteora
Visit Meteora Independently: The most sensible option is to hire a car in Athens, and drive to Meteora. This way you will have the use of the car to drive around the area, which I highly recommend.
I have written several articles about Meteora which you may find useful, including Meteroa – Mountains, Monasteries, and Monks. In my opinion though, you would be better spending the night at Meteora. I've put together a useful list of hotels near Meteora here.
Further Reading About Athens
My Newsletter – I'll share the best of the best blog posts about Athens with you. No spam. No BS. Sign up here.
Sightseeing – My 2 days in Athens itinerary has proven to be very useful for hundreds of people!
Accommodation – If you are looking for accommodation in Athens, I have put together this guide to the best hotels near the Acropolis.
Museums – Athens has over 80 museums to choose from! The most popular are the Acropolis Museum, and the National Archaeological museum. This is a full list of all the museums in Athens.
The best places to see in Greece on a road trip – If you want to go beyond choosing from individual excursions, maybe a road trip is more your style? This huge resource will help you plan the ultimate Greek road trip.
Temple of Poseidon – Some more information about the Temple at Sounion.
If you are looking for more Greek adventure itinerary ideas, then you will find this post useful.
Amber J says
Hi Dave – in your opinion, how crazy is it to try driving on day trips out of Athens? Thanks!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Amber,
You can definitely drive yourself on day trips (we do all the time!).
The issue is more where will you park when you are in Athens – and the actual driving within Athens.
If you are just one or two people, a tour is probably less hassle and about the same price overall. (remember there are toll roads in Greece, as well as car hire fees, insurance and fuel).
If you are 3 or 4 people though, it’s pretty cost effective.
My other suggestion, is that rather than take day trips from Athens in the car, simply stay overnight in other parts of Greece (especially if Meteora is on your radar).
Candace Burnham says
What tips could you provide for visiting Andros Island and the Tourlitis lighthouse?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Candace,
I’ve actually got a guide to Andros going live probably next week.
Put basically though, a trip to Andros is best done from Rafina port in Athens. I suggest you look at Ferryhopper for ferries.
You can visit for a day, although 2 days would be better.
You can’t get to the lighthouse itself. I personally felt the best views of it were taken from a little blue church a walk down from the Chora in the bay. We visited the new Goulandris museum first. It is more of a background photoo though.
Alternatively, when you visited the famous statue of the fisherman, you may be able to get a glimpse of it. When we visited, is was too windy to attempt.
You’ll need a good camera (not phone camera) to get decent shots.
Hope that helps!
Clive says
Hi David – thanks very much for your suggestions.
We re staying in central Athens for a week in a couple of days time..
We ll be like a rabbit in headlights!
We love walking, eating and drinking probably in reverse order! I ve read Plaka is touristy – where could we go where the locals eat and drink please?
Last question!
We re in cheap lodgings so we’d quite like to stay overnight on one of the three nearby islands you mention? The question is, which one?!
Thanks a lot
Clive
Ps if you could recommend some tavernas near to Metagenous 9 ( near The Acropolis) we ll certainly mention your name!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Clive,
Plaka is touristy – but you’ll still find more locals eat there at night than visitors (in the real plaka area, around the steps).
I would suggest Psyri area for somewhere to eat, which is a short stroll from Monastiraki
If you can overnight in Hydra it would be the best bet.But it probably will dent your budget!
Eat anywhere and you will find good food, just (in my opinion) avoid the street from Hadrians Arch to Acropolis.
Some guides you will find useful:
Athens in 2 days
Athens in 3 day
Have a great trip to Athens!
Venk says
HI. Thank you very much for this blog. I am planning to travel to Greece on 8th of august. Can you recommend any tour operators for Delfi trip? is it possible to go on my own to Delfi by train or bus (I don’t want to drive in Greece) and see the places and come back in the evening?
I remember having seen your recommendation for tour operators but not able to find it now .
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
I recommend Get Your Guide as a place to book trips in Greece. Here’s one of the best of their offerings: Delphi day trip from Athens.
If you wanted to DIY it, there’s no direct train, so I wouldn’t suggest taking that route.
There is however a bus you could take, but it’s complicated for first time visitors to Greece. basic instructions: Buses leave from Liossion KTEL Bus Station in the centre of Athens and take around 3 hours to get to Delphi. You’ll need to Google Liossion KTEL Bus Station and bus information as I don’t have it to hand.
Enjoy your time in Greece!
Nancy says
Based out of Athens I have 4 days to tour independently. I want to maximize my time by booking day trips. I’m thinking day trips to Delphi and Meteora for sure. Possible a half day tour to Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. What would you recommend for the other 2 days? Is Hydra worth a whole day? Is Mykonos recommended?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Nancy,
Delphi is a must in my opinion.
The afternoon tour to the Temple of Poseidon is also very nice for the sunset.
Meteora is amazong … BUT… it’s a long day trip. Possible, but very long. You can also do two day trips that combine Delphi and Meteora, but if you have already pre-booked your Athens accommodation, you might lose out.
If you are not visiting any other Greek islands during your trip, then Hydra id an nice option. You can either visit on a day trip to only Hydra, or as part of the 3 islands trip mentioned in the article. I recently created a guide on how to get to Hydra.
Both Mykonos and Santorini are too far to make worthwhile day trips.
Over in the Peloponnese, you might consider visiting Mycenae which is a UNESCO site, or even the town of Nafplio.
Jeannine says
Your information is so useful thank you! We are headed to Greece. We Will be spending most of our time spread across Crete, Thessaloniki & Santorini. We have 2.5 days in Athens. The tentative plan is a day trip to Delphi & the other checking out the Acropolis (my husband the history buff). Would we have time for much else given the limited time?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Jeannine,
If you just have 2.5 days in Athens, you can definitely see all the ‘must-dos’. It would still leave plenty if you wanted to return in the future though!
I’ve got a couple of Athens itineraries that might be useful. You could pick and choose the things that interest you to fill your time in Athens:
Athens in a day
2 days in Athens
I’d suggest the core of your stay would be the Acropolis and Ancient Agora. If your husband is a history buff, you might also try the National Archaeological Museum (in my opinion the best in Greece). If you aren’t such a fan though, don’t tell him 😀
Have a great time in Greec
Donna says
Which one would you do if you only had one day to do a day trip ?
Dave Briggs says
That’s an easy one to answer – Delphi!
jacqueline biran says
Really informative for 1st time visitor. A little more information please about the Meteora monasteries. Are they accessible by foot. Do you have to climb the hills to visit? I read there were six monasteries all in all. As a 73 year old young, is it recommendable? Many thanks. Jacqueline
Dave Briggs says
Hi Jacqueline,
Each of the Meteora monasteries has to be walked up (no elevators!).
It should be within the capabilities of a fit 73 year old planning a trip to Greece for sure! Just take it at your own pace.
I would suggest that you use some for of transport to get between each one. You could drive if you are taking a hire car, or take the day tour (as suggested in article).
If you are planning to visit both Delphi and Meteora, then perhaps a two day tour from AThens that includes them both would be better than two individual day trips from Athens – there would be less time spent on buses.
You can see some details here – https://www.davestravelpages.com/delphi-meteora-2-day
If you are hiring a car, then definitely visit them both over two days.
For more insights into Meteora, I have a few articles that you can find here – https://www.davestravelpages.com/category/meteora-monasteries/
Megan Jerrard says
I would love to visit Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon, sounds like a beautiful road trip out there too. And I’ve heard great things about each of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina, though didn’t realize you could combine them all on a three island day tour, so thanks for that tip!
Delphi is also on the list, as are the monasteries in Meteora, though I didn’t realize you could technically make this into a Athens Day trip, as long as it would be. I think renting a car would be a good option for me. Thanks for the tips!
Anna Johnston says
I love visiting islands, so the day trip from Athens to the nearby islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina is totally what I would be doing. Thanks for the tip about supplying your own food and drink too. I live and work in a very touristy part of the world and am always surprised by those tour operators that charge a fortune on top of the already expensive ticket for basic things like water.
I’ve heard many wonderful things about Athens, a chef I worked with a million years ago said Athens serves some of the BEST food you will ever eat! Better get on a visit!
Anne says
I love some of these suggestions and was thinking of booking a weekend trip to Athens. Now I’m wondering whether I should make it a week and visit some of these too
Dave Briggs says
Basing yourself in Athens for a few days is a great way to see even more of the highlights of the country, especially on such day trips from Athens as a trip to Delphi!
Eric Gamble says
So what you are telling me is that when I plan my trip to Athens I need to add another week to take these awesome side trips to Delphi & Meteora and the islands…haha! Ok fine lets add another week!
But seriously I know of Delphi but it wasnt much on my Greece Bucket List but the more I read about it the more I really want to see the ruins and learn more. Great pics by the way.
Fiona Maclean says
I’ve been to a few of these places already – though there are some new ones for me like the monasteries. I want to go back though. And there does always seem to be endless Greek islands to visit