Athens is a fantastic base for exploring more of Greece. Within a few hours of the capital, you can stand where the ancient Greeks consulted the Oracle, watch the sunset from a clifftop temple, wander a car-free island, or explore the country's first capital. Here are the top day trips from Athens, with distances and how to get there.
The Best Day Trips From Athens
1. Delphi
Distance from Athens: About 180 kilometers (112 miles)
How to get there: KTEL buses run from Athens' Liosion bus station and take about 2.5 to 3 hours. Driving takes around 2.5 hours, and many guided tours are available.
The ancient Greeks considered Delphi the center of the world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the UNESCO-listed site includes the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle gave her prophecies, a theater, and a stadium high above an olive-filled valley. Don't miss the excellent museum and its bronze Charioteer. Stop at the mountain village of Arachova on the way.
2. Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
Distance from Athens: About 70 kilometers (43 miles)
How to get there: Drive along the scenic coastal road in about 1.5 hours, or take a KTEL bus in around 2 hours.
Perched on a cliff at the tip of Attica, the 5th-century BC Temple of Poseidon is one of Greece's most spectacular ancient sites. Come for the sunset, when the marble columns glow gold over the Aegean, and stop for a swim and seafood lunch along the Athens Riviera on the way.
3. Hydra
Distance from Athens: About 70 kilometers (43 miles) by sea
How to get there: High-speed ferries from Piraeus take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Hydra is a car-free island where donkeys and water taxis are the main transport. Explore its stone mansions and cobbled lanes, walk the coastal path to swim from the rocks, and relax at a harborfront café. It's one of the easiest island escapes from Athens. Ferries also reach nearby Aegina and Poros.
4. Nafplio
Distance from Athens: About 140 kilometers (87 miles)
How to get there: Drive in about 2 hours, or take a KTEL bus from Athens' Kifissos bus station.
Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, is one of the country's prettiest towns, with Venetian and neoclassical architecture, bougainvillea-draped lanes, and seafront promenades. Climb the steps to the Palamidi Fortress for views over the Argolic Gulf. With a car, combine it with the ancient sites of Mycenae or the theater of Epidaurus.
5. Corinth and the Corinth Canal
Distance from Athens: About 80 kilometers (50 miles)
How to get there: Drive or take the suburban train in about 1 hour.
The Corinth Canal slices through the isthmus between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese, with walls dropping straight down to the water. Watch ships squeeze through or try a bungee jump from the bridge. Nearby, explore Ancient Corinth, with its Temple of Apollo and Roman ruins, and the hilltop fortress of Acrocorinth.
Tips for Day Trips From Athens
- Start early: Leave early to beat the heat and crowds at archaeological sites, especially in summer.
- Check opening hours: Archaeological sites have seasonal hours and may close early in winter.
- Book ferries in advance: In summer, ferries to Hydra can sell out.
- Bring water and sun protection: Many sites have little shade.
- Consider a car: Renting a car makes it easy to combine sites like Nafplio, Mycenae, and Epidaurus.
Planning more of Greece? Read our Greece travel guide, our list of the best Greek islands, and the best time to visit Greece.
Stay Connected on Your Day Trips
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FAQs: Day Trips From Athens
What is the best day trip from Athens?
Delphi is the most popular day trip for history lovers, while Hydra is ideal for an island escape and Cape Sounion is perfect for sunset.
Can you visit Delphi from Athens in one day?
Yes. Delphi is about 2.5 to 3 hours away, so a day trip by bus, car, or guided tour is very doable.
Which island can you visit as a day trip from Athens?
Hydra, Aegina, and Poros are all easy day trips from Piraeus port.
How do you get to Cape Sounion from Athens?
Drive along the coastal road in about 1.5 hours, take a KTEL bus, or join a sunset tour.