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9 day trips near Athens for history, sun and nature
From ancient ruins to beaches a short boat ride away, here are nine ways to escape the bustle of Athens for the day.
Crammed with attractions and entertainment, world-class Athens can fill weeks of any visitor’s time.
Yet open your lens beyond Athens’ city limits, and a number of other outstanding destinations come into focus. Accessible by public transportation, by boat or with your own wheels, these day trips from Athens encompass everything from ancient ruins to island beaches, and are well worth the journey.
1. Walk in the footsteps of ancients in Corinthia
Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes by bus
Within the modern village of Corinthia loom the extensive yet compact ruins of an ancient, mostly Roman city. Home to legendary Jason of the Argonauts, stealer of the Golden Fleece, Ancient Corinth was also home to real-life luminaries like famous geographer Pausanias and St Paul, who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ here.
Follow in their footsteps by visiting the Temple of Apollo, the Peribolos of Apollo, the ancient theater and other highlights. The excellent on-site museum puts everything into context.
How to get to Ancient Corinth from Athens:
Intercity buses depart hourly from Athens Kifissos station and arrive at the Korinthos bus station in Corinth City in about one hour. From here, buses continue on to Ancient Corinth (20 minutes).
2. Take in Greece’s picturesque former capital in Nafplio
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes by car, 2 hours 10 minutes by bus
The first capital of modern Greece, Nafplio in the Peloponnese is one of the prettiest towns in the country. Splendid Venetian and neoclassical architecture grace the city, which is guarded the hilltop Palamidi (a famous 999-step climb) and Bourtzi (a small fortified islet in the harbor). Numerous elegant boutique hotels, tasteful shops and small restaurants hidden in narrow alleys make Nafplio a hugely popular destination for a day hop or longer stay.
Further south is the posh resort of Porto Heli, where Greek and international jet-setters own luxurious villas and mansions. The region also has some agreeable sandy beaches and local wineries, many open to the public.
How to get to Nafplio from Athens:
By car, the journey is around one hour and 45 minutes. The intercity bus from Athens Kifissos station to Nafplio takes two hours and 10 minutes.
3. Make a mini island escape to Aegina
Travel time: 40 minutes by hydrofoil, 1 hour 15 minutes by regular ferry
If you need a quick island getaway from the big city, hop on a boat to Aegina. The Saronic Gulf island boasts a perfect combination of important ancient ruins, attractive sandy beaches, charming architecture and local delicacies (don’t miss the local variety of pistachio, which is acclaimed throughout the world).
Outside the picturesque Aegina Town, the Temple of Aphaia ranks among the country's top ancient sites, while the villages of Agia Marina and Perdika also merit a visit. The huge Orthodox church of Agios Nektarios is a popular pilgrimage destination among both Greek and foreign visitors.
Insider tip: Avoid summer weekends if you can, as the island gets packed with Athenians escaping the city heat.
How to get to Aegina from Athens:
Take the ferry (one hour and 15 minutes) or the hydrofoil (40 minutes) from the harbor of Piraeus. Departures are frequent; there’s no need to book in advance.
4. Soak up the mythology at Delphi
Travel time: 3 hours by bus
While on the long side for an Athens day trip, any time spent in beautiful, mystical Delphi is worth the journey. Myths, history and spectacular mountains come together at this spot: in Greek mythology, two eagles released by Zeus met here, rendering the site the “navel of the world.” Built in the 7th century BCE, the Sanctuary of Apollo was where the oracle-priestess known as the Pythia issued her notoriously ambiguous answers to questions on topics big and small.
A stadium high on the hill, an ancient theater and Tholos (a circular temple, probably the most photographed landmark of the site), together with a small but significant museum, draw modern-day crowds. The idyllic clifftop village on the slopes of Mt Parnassos, overlooking the endless olive groves that surround the sanctuary, buzzes with taverns and souvenir shops catering to day trippers.
How to get to Delphi from Athens:
Take the KTEL intercity bus from Athens Liosion station to Delphi. Travel time is around three hours.
5. Hit the hiking trails of Mt Parnitha National Park
Travel time: 1 hour by metro and bus
Some 25km (15½ miles) north of Athens, Mt Parnitha in fact comprises a number of smaller peaks, the highest of which is Karavola (1413m / 4636ft), tall enough to get snow in winter. Natural features abound here, including many caves and abundant wildlife such as red deer. The park is crisscrossed by hiking trails, with two large, full-featured hiking lodges; it’s a popular spot for mountain biking as well.
The easiest way to explore is on the path (about a 45-minute walk) through Tatoi, the 40-sq-km (15-sq-mile) grounds of the former summer palace (now closed). Follow Tatoi Rd out of Varibobi and look for a small trail sign on the right.
How to get to Mt Parnitha National Park from Athens:
Take the green line of the metro (Line 1) north to Nea Ionia, then take bus 724 to Thrakomakedónes. You can also continue on bus 724 to the Parnitha Funitel, which takes visitors to the top of the mountain.
6. Feast on fresh seafood in Halkida
Travel time: 30 minutes by car
Built on the channel that separates the island of Evia from the mainland – and famous for water whose current changes direction every six hours – Halkida is far from a tourist magnet. Nevertheless, this pleasant seaside town offers a relaxing break from a hectic city-sightseeing itinerary and a taste of Greek small-town life. You’ll find numerous nice, clean beaches nearby, as well as countless seaside restaurants where you can enjoy extremely fresh seafood, with far more variety than you'll see in Athens.
How to get to Halkida from Athens:
Halkida is an hour's drive from Athens via the main motorway to Thessaloniki. It's also accessible by intercity bus from Athens terminal station or by train from Athens’ central station.
7. Wander the car-free island of Hydra
Travel time: Up to 2 hours by hydrofoil
Gorgeous Hydra is a rocky island with a rich history and spectacular, well-preserved stone mansions that once belonged to great naval families and captains of the Greek Revolution. Built on the hillside around a stunning harbor, the town has a tranquil allure like no other Greek island – for it’s completely car-free. Numerous small museums, art galleries and boutique hotels, together with the ever-present yachts docked in the harbor, contribute to its elegant vibe, and more than make up for the lack of beaches.
How to get to Hydra from Athens:
Hydrofoils from the harbor of Piraeus take from one hour and 40 minutes to two hours. Buy tickets online in advance.
8. Imagine the sound of Homer at Mycenae
Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes by bus
On a hilltop backed by powerful mountains stand the somber and mighty ruins of Ancient Mycenae, home of the legendary Agamemnon. For four centuries in the 2nd millennium BCE, this kingdom was the most powerful in Greece, holding sway over the Argolid and influencing other Mycenaean cities.
World Heritage–listed Mycenae is synonymous with the names Homer and Heinrich Schliemann. In the 9th century BCE, Homer told in his epic poems, The Odyssey and The Iliad, of “well-built Mycenae, rich in gold.” Until the 19th century, such references were regarded as no more than gripping and beautiful legends. Yet in the 1870s, the amateur scholar Heinrich Schliemann (1822–90) – persisting despite derision from professionals – struck archaeological gold, first at Troy and then at Mycenae.
Before exploring the archaeological site, head to the Ancient Mycenae Museum for context.
How to get to Ancient Mycenae from Athens:
Daily KTEL intercity buses depart from Athens to Fichti, the nearest town to Ancient Mycenae, on the Nafplio route.
9. Get close to history in Marathon, then watch the sunset at Cape Sounion
Travel time: 45 minutes by car (Marathon); 2 hours by bus (Cape Sounion)
You can easily spend a whole day at either of these close-by destinations – though if your schedule is tight, either one makes for a perfect half-day trip. At the southernmost tip of Attica, Cape Sounion is where you’ll find the splendid Temple of Poseidon – and it’s one of the best spots in the wider Athens region for savoring a gorgeous sunset. Before or after, get lunch or dinner at one of the many fish taverns in the working-class town of Lavrio.
Northeast of Athens, Marathon is the site of one of the greatest battles in history and the place where the modern Athens Marathon commences (the route traces the steps of Pheidippides, the legendary ancient courier who first ran the storied route). The archaeological museum, the tomb of Athenians fallen in the battle, and the lake with its dam are the main attractions of the area.
How to get to Cape Sounion or Marathon from Athens:
Cape Sounion is a two-hour bus ride from Athens, while Marathon is a 45-minute drive. Consider taking a taxi if you’d prefer not to drive yourself.
