6 best day trips from Athens

Day trips compared

The day trips

70 km · About 1.5–2 hours by coastal bus

1.Cape Sounion

The marble Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff at the southern tip of Attica, where Lord Byron carved his name into a column. The coast road down from Athens passes the Riviera beaches, and sunset over the Aegean from the temple is the main draw.

Getting there

KTEL bus from central Athens, tour or hire car

Best for

Couples, First-timers, Culture

180 km · About 2.5–3 hours by bus

2.Delphi

The sanctuary of Apollo, seat of the ancient oracle, climbs a steep slope of Mount Parnassus past the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium, with views down an olive-filled valley towards the Gulf of Corinth. The site museum holds the bronze Charioteer of Delphi.

Getting there

KTEL bus from Liosion terminal or an organised tour

Best for

Culture, First-timers

30 km · About 40–75 minutes by ferry

3.Aegina

The closest of the Saronic islands is known for its pistachios, a harbourfront of fishing boats and the Temple of Aphaia on a pine-covered hilltop. Rent a bike or take a local bus to the temple and the beaches at Agia Marina or the fishing village of Perdika.

Getting there

Ferry or fast boat from Piraeus

Best for

Families, Food lovers, Beach

70 km · About 1.5–2 hours by fast ferry

4.Hydra

A car-free island where donkeys and water taxis do the transport, with stone mansions climbing above a horseshoe harbour. There are no sandy beaches near the port, so swim from the rocks at Spilia or take a water taxi to a nearby cove.

Getting there

Fast ferry from Piraeus

Best for

Couples, Quiet stays, Beach

140 km · About 2–2.5 hours by bus

5.Nafplio and Epidaurus

Greece's first capital after independence has Venetian mansions, marble-paved streets and the Palamidi fortress at the top of a long stone stairway. The ancient theatre of Epidaurus and the citadel of Mycenae are each within about 30–40 minutes' drive, so a car or tour lets you combine them.

Getting there

KTEL bus from Kifisos terminal, tour or hire car

Best for

Couples, Culture, Families

80 km · About 1–1.5 hours by train or car

6.Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth

The 6.4 km canal, cut through solid rock and opened in 1893, has sheer walls up to about 90 metres high; you can look straight down from the bridge at Isthmos. Ancient Corinth, with its Temple of Apollo and the forum where St Paul preached, is about 20 minutes further on.

Getting there

Suburban train to Corinth then taxi, or hire car

Best for

Culture, Families

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Buses and trolleybuses fill gaps in the metro network, and the X95 express bus runs between Syntagma and the airport around the clock.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask