Most travelers don’t know that there are lots and lots of day trips from Athens. You can include that in your journey to Greece. For many who come from abroad, Athens is a 2 to 3-day destination.
However, there are tons of things to do in Athens, including Ancient sites and exploring the traditional Greek way of living and Ancient Greek history.
Check at least 40 top things to do in Athens. Don’t forget to read why Greece is an affordable country even for students! It is one of the cheapest (but with high quality) destinations in Europe.
So, before hopping on the next ferry to the fabulous Greek islands, give more time to explore Athens and the whitewashed beaches of Mainland Greece.
Athens is a great base to experience vacations all over the Attica region.
That includes excellent beaches, mountains, ancient Greek monuments, archaeological museums, hundreds of outdoor activities, bars, great restaurants, and top street food.
So, there are things inside Athens, but there are much more close to Athens.
Experience the Best Day Tour from Athens
As in many European countries where English is their second language, and street signs follow, renting a car is an option for your Athens day tour.
Click this for ideas for a Guided Tour.
Both will serve you well, not to mention the time you will save trying to find out which of the things you want to taste/visit is available or not when you are in the city (that is a significant hint to know).
If you plan to get outside Athens (what this post is about), we suggest renting a car. Car rentals are not that expensive in Athens.
They are cheaper than in other countries, and with a GPS you will find all the points of interest we mention below.
Better to avoid public transportation unless you are okay with wasting tons of time.
If you don’t want to drive, then choose one of the many options for a private tour.
Best Day Trips From Athens: One Hour Distance
Please note that the hours mentioned in tours are one way. It would be best if you plan accordingly for the time to get back.
Depending on the destination, you may meet lots of traffic, either on your way there or on your way back.
Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion Popular Tourist Spots From Athens
There are lots of options for swimming (organized beaches) near the Temple of Poseidon, food (tons of taverns), and cafe’s to enjoy the sunset along the way to Cape Sounion, next to the Aegean sea.
Read this post too. Cape Sounion is related to the greek myth of Aegeus and Theseus. So, the Temple of Poseidon is not the only thing to learn about.
Athens Day Tour to Artemis (Loutsa)
Lots of taverns and cafes by the sea. We suggest going to Old Artemis seaside town (there is New Artemis) and getting a table or sun lounge at Albatros bar. This coastal town is famous for Swimming, Windsurfing, Kiteboard, and SUP.
Great music and windsurf, sup station to stay there all day long.
Parnitha Mountain
It’s fantastic for hiking and -believe it or not- has some pretty great food in 2 of the summits called Mpafi and Flabouri.
The Casino of Athens is also situated on the mountain Parnitha. You can take the public bus, and in less than 1 hour you will arrive at the funicular parking of the casino.
Hop on (free), and you will arrive at the top. From there, you can hike from the dirt road towards the summits or take the asphalt road.
There are hiking paths (well signed) that start from the funicular parking too. The view from the summits is spectacular as all of Athens is viewed from 1160mt. Also, read this post.
Ready to go a bit further for your local trips? Click this for an organized tour.
Half Day Tour from Athens
Half Day Trip to Nafplion
Visit the Nafplion castle and find out about its history. The small city of Nafplion is ideal for enjoying food and coffee.
It has a couple of beaches too so you can combine it with some swimming.
Half Day to Mycenae Archaeological Sites
Do know that Mycenae and Epidaurus offer an archaeological site, top landmarks, an archaeological museum, and tons of history to explore. The ancient city of Mycenae is the place of the tomb of Agamemnon. A must-see archaeological site in Greece.
Some “touristic” taverns near the site, but we advise you to take your eating business to another place.
Also Read: Best Ancient Mycenae Greece Worth Visiting Reasons 2022
Half Day Trip to The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
The Ancient Theatre is world-famous for its acoustic properties.
Go and test it yourself how one can be at the very upper top rows while hearing a person whispering at the base. A true acoustics marvel from Ancient Greece.
Moreover, the Sanctuary of Asclepios is another Unesco World Heritage Site you need to visit in this area.
Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
This strange temple is in a valley in the Peloponnese. This place was the sanctuary of the Greek God physician Asklepios. The whole sanctuary is remarkable evidence for the practice of medicine in ancient Greece. It is home to some monumental buildings. These were used for worship and secular reasons (the theatre, the Hestiatoreion, the baths, along with the palaestra).
The Temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassae
Another temple was isolated on a mountainside in the Peloponnese. It was dedicated to Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. The reason it is unique is for its style combination. Built around 450 and 400 BC, the temple combines Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian elements. It was discovered, entirely by chance, by the French architect Joachim Bocher.
Half Day Trip to Ancient Delphi
Welcome to the Navel of the World and the Delphi Archaeological Museum.
Delphi ancient site and Delphi Archaeological Museum are perhaps two of the most popular places in Greece.
Along with Acropolis and Acropolis museum, try to visit the temple of Apollo where Pythia, the Oracle, gave her prophecies.
It is not near the 3 locations above and is also a different trip in another direction by itself, but the temple of Apollo is worth’s it. After all, all this is part of Greek mythology.
Click this for an Organized Private Tour
Full-Day Tour From Athens
We suggest taking these if you can plan to stay one night outside of Athens (at least).
For example, driving 4 hours to Meteora (either by car or an organized or private tour) is a bit too much when you have another 4 to return to Athens.
Full Day Trip from Athens to Meteora (approx. 4 hours)
One of the famous religious locations in Greece is the gigantic rock formations of Meteora and the cliff-hanging monasteries.
Check this post here about Meteora. In case you’ve been to Montserrat in Spain, you will find significant similarities. It is a Unesco World Heritage Centre.
You can take the train from Athens to Kalambaka, the town at the feet of Meteora.
Full Day Trip to Mystras
One of the oldest castle cities in Greece. The castle on the hill was founded in 1249 by the Frankish leader William II de Villeharduin.
It is also a Unesco World Heritage Centre.
Karpenisi Area Full Day Trip
One of the greenest places but not near the sea. The area has tons of routes for hikers, beautiful villages “drown” in trees and waterfalls.
The location is ideal for exploring different hiking routes, mountaineering, canyoning, fantastic food, and culture.
There are many rivers & gorges. Here is the famous “Panta Vrehei” canyon.
Full Day Trip from Athens to Galaxidi village
You can combine this with your trip to the ancient site of Delphi and its Archaeological Museum, and maybe the town of Arachova (or going there on your way back).
Galaxidi is a small village on the road that goes to Nafpaktos and West Greece, and it is best to do this as a full day trip.
It is ideal for a weekend. Do taste the food in the local fish taverns.
Full Day Trip Loutraki Seaside Town
Visit the Iraio Temple, near Ancient Corinth.
A great small town by the sea that also hosts superb thermal spa installations (both indoors and outdoors) and massage therapies. Ιt has lots of options for food too.
Make sure to visit the Heraion temple (which has a beach right next to ancient Greek ancient ruins) and the lighthouse at the top.
To get there, you pass through the Corinth Canal (Isthmus). That is an opportunity also to visit the area of Ancient Corinth.
Day Cruises from Athens
Day cruise from Athens
Cruise to Hydra, Poros, and the island of Aegina.
That is an excellent option. The ferry will take you to the island of Hydra in Saronic Gulf and to each of these villages/ports each where you will experience the local cuisine and culture.
The Saronic Gulf is spectacular, and you will be amazed by the island of Aegina.
Also read: 16 Amazing Things To Do In Hydra Greece
Aegina Island for a Day Trip
Bonus: You can take the ferry and be there in 1 hour, and if you like cycling, you can do that on your bike. We did it as part of a two days bike tour. It’s a bit uphill to do it via a bike tour, but it is worth it. Make sure to end up in some of the seaside villages, like Perdika, for beverages, drinks, and an excellent view of the Saronic Gulf.
Note: It has some uphill when you want to visit the Temple of Afea. Try to go to Perdika village during sunset. It is extraordinary.
Don’t forget to buy pistachios. Aegina is well-known for its local produce and pistachio-based sweets.
FAQs for Day Trips From Athens
How far is the trip to Delphi from Athens?
The trip to Delphi is around 1.5 hours’ driving time from Athens. That makes it a great day trip. You can combine it with a visit to the picturesque Galaxidi (approximately 45 minutes from Delphi). It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
How many days should I spend in Athens?
We suggest spending 2 to 3 days but you can easily spend four days in and around Athens, or even more.
Where should I go near Athens?
It would be best if you visited Mount Parnitha for hiking and some great views of Athens. It is a 45 minutes drive from the Athens center. There are a couple of summits there with excellent food and views.
Which close by Greek islands are great for day trips from Athens?
Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina, to name a few. Most people prefer to stay in Athens and visit these as part of such trips.
Is one day in Athens enough?
You can indeed see 1, maybe 2, different locations in one day, but it is not enough.
Can you make a day trip from Athens to Santorini?
Better not do that. It takes a long time to get to the island, and you won’t have time to see almost anything in a few hours. Please read our complete guide to How To Get From Athens To Santorini post.
Can you tour Athens on your own?
Yes, you can. , plan well ahead and book any tickets and ferries before your arrival.
What are the best day trips from Athens?
The list we presented shows the best ones. Many (depending on their vacation timeframe) do prefer the following destinations: Delphi, Mycenae, Corinth, Epidaurus, Nafplio.
Where to Stay in Athens?
There are plenty of options, including hotels and hostels.
The 13 Best Hotels in Athens, Greece
Click to find the suitable for you and learn about the best places to stay during your day trip from Athens:
Save your Money – Top Hostels in Greece & Tips
Did you like our day trips from Athens? Have you ever been on any such day trip from Athens, Greece, before? We would be happy to know more about it.
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Aegina with a bike sounds awesome. We used to put our bike on the ferry and island hop to Coronado Island in San Diego. It would love to have the blue Aegean Sea and warm mediterranean sun as I bike around paradise.
When in Aegina don't forget to get pistaccio.
Now I feel like I need to visit Greece for a few weeks. Santorini was at the top of my list and then Athens, but now sheesh. Such beauty and of course history. I would love to see all these places. Galaxidi Village is gorgeous looking.
Galaxidi is great and it is very near to Delphi!
Galaxidi looks great as does Mystras, I definitely have never heard of them before and have them bookmarked for the next time I visit Greece. When I visited Athens last three years ago, we did a two day trip to Meteora and absolutely loved it- the clifftop monasteries were so fascinating and to think that they're still inhabited.
Yes, Meteora is a fantastic place. You should visit Montserrat near Barcelona too. They look alike… a lot!
Athens is beautiful and fascinating and I can't wait to visit there, would love to visit the Delphi archaeological site, and maybe do some windsurfing if time allows (although I have only windsurfed a few times in my entire life :P)
Great list, a week would hardly suffice with all the great things you've given us to do in Athens. I'd love to visit the clifftop monasteries.
I would love to try SUP in Artemis! I have always wanted to give it a try – this looks like a dream spot for it! I also absolutely LOVED Delphi! Such a spiritual place 🙂