In a nutshell
- Planning a city trip to Athens and want to explore beyond the city? We’ve rounded up the seven best day trips from Athens — with tips for both guided tours and going it independently.
- Top picks include Delphi and Metéora for history and scenery. Prefer to stay close to Athens? Piraeus and Lake Vouliagmeni are both easy half-day options.
- For each destination, we tell you exactly how to get there, whether a guided tour is worth it, and what to watch out for.
Day Trips from Athens on a Map
Here’s a quick overview of where all seven day trip destinations are located — we’ve marked them on the map below.
Day Trip to Delphi
- Distance from Athens: 160 kilometers
- Our tip: Book a guided day trip to Delphi
Delphi is one of the most famous places in all of Greece — and one of the best day trips from Athens. The two standout highlights are the Temple of Apollo and the legendary Oracle of Delphi.
But honestly, the trip is worth it for the scenery alone. The mountain landscape surrounding the site is absolutely breathtaking.
Just be prepared: there’s a lot of walking involved, and you’ll spend most of your time out in the sun — bring water and sunscreen.
Guided Tour to Delphi
Given the long journey from Athens, we really recommend booking a guided day trip. It takes the logistics off your plate so you can just enjoy the experience.
Book the guided day trip to Delphi from Athens
Getting to Delphi on Your Own
If you’d rather go independently, your best bet is to rent a car. The drive takes about two hours.
There are also buses to Delphi, departing from the KTEL Terminal Liossion. Check the KTEL Fokidas website for schedules — it’s easiest to buy your tickets at the terminal.
Day Trip to Metéora
- Distance from Athens: 350 kilometers
- Our tip: Book a guided day trip to Metéora
Metéora is a truly otherworldly landscape — towering rock formations rising out of nowhere, with ancient monasteries perched right on top of them. The photo opportunities are incredible.
One important thing to know: you’ll need to dress appropriately to enter the monasteries. Shoulders and knees must be covered at a minimum, and long sleeves and long pants or skirts are even better.
Guided Tour to Metéora
Metéora is far from Athens, so you’ll need an early start — but it’s absolutely worth it. The tour visits six spectacular monasteries and gives you plenty of time for photos.
Book the guided day trip to Metéora from Athens
Our extra tip: There’s also a two-day trip combining Delphi and Metéora with one night’s accommodation included. If you want to see both, this is really the smartest way to do it.
Lake Vouliagmeni
- Distance from Athens: 20 kilometers
- Our tip: Get there by Hop-on/Hop-off Bus
Lake Vouliagmeni is a beautiful natural lake right by the sea, just a short drive from the city. What makes it unique is that it doubles as a kind of spa — fish live in the warm, mineral-rich water and nibble at your feet.
To swim in the lake, you pay an entry fee of at least 16 euros, which gives you the full day to relax by the water.
If you just want to take photos, you can do that for free from the parking lot — no ticket needed.
And just one kilometer away, you’ll find the lovely Vouliagmeni Beach, so it’s easy to combine both in one outing.
Getting to Lake Vouliagmeni by Hop-on/Hop-off Bus
The Athens hop-on/hop-off buses stop at Lake Vouliagmeni, which makes it super convenient. You ride the coastal route and simply hop off at the lake.
Book your Hop-on/Hop-off Bus ticket for Athens
Check out our tips for hop-on/hop-off in Athens:
A Side Trip to Piraeus
- Distance from Athens: 10 kilometers
- Our tip: Go on your own by metro or take the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Athens
Piraeus is a port city right on Athens’ doorstep — perfect if you’re short on time and want a quick excursion. It fits easily into an extended weekend in Athens. The city center itself is mostly dominated by the large harbor with cruise ships, so there isn’t a huge amount to explore.
Head a bit outside the center, though, and you’ll find some nice beaches where you can relax.
Getting to Piraeus on Your Own
Metro Line 1 gets you from central Athens to Piraeus in just 20 minutes. From there, you can continue by tram to the surrounding beaches.
By the way: The Hop-on/Hop-off buses in Athens also stop in Piraeus. If you’re planning to visit both Lake Vouliagmeni and Piraeus — plus the beaches in between — the sightseeing bus is really the most convenient option.
Read our tips on public transportation in Athens too:
Sunset Tour to Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
- Distance from Athens: 70 kilometers
- Our tip: Book a guided sunset tour
Cape Sounion is the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula, and this is where you’ll find the iconic Temple of Poseidon. The best time to visit is in the evening — watching the sun set over the temple and the sea is simply stunning.
Guided Tour to Cape Sounion
Several sunset tours depart from Athens to Cape Sounion. You can choose between options with hotel pickup or more budget-friendly tours that start from a central meeting point.
Sunset tour with hotel pickup to Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
Sunset tour without hotel pickup to Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
Getting to Cape Sounion on Your Own
Public KTEL buses also run to Cape Sounion, with a journey time of around two hours. Departure times change frequently — the last information we have is that buses leave from near the Archaeological Museum: Bus terminal on Google Maps.
Day Trip to Argolis
- Distance from Athens: 120 kilometers
- Our tip: Rent a car and give yourself several days to explore Argolis
Argolis is considered one of the most beautiful regions in all of Greece — and it packs in an incredible amount: the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio, and Epidaurus are all here.
The highlights include ancient Cyclopean walls, royal tombs, dramatic clifftop scenery, and some of the most impressive ancient amphitheaters you’ll ever see.
Book a Guided Tour to Argolis
If you only have one day, a guided tour is your best option — you’ll hit all the major highlights in one go. It’s a packed schedule, but totally doable.
Book the full-day tour to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio
Getting to Argolis on Your Own
If you have more time, we’d really recommend spending several days in Argolis and exploring by rental car. The region has so much to offer that a single day honestly doesn’t do it justice.
Compare rental car deals for Athens on Discovercars
Saronic Islands
- Distance from Athens: 80 kilometers
- Our tip: Book a boat trip to multiple islands
The Saronic Islands are an island group just west of Athens. If you want a taste of the Greek islands alongside your city break, they’re a fantastic choice — and easy to reach.
Book a Guided Tour to the Saronic Islands
For a day trip, the smartest move is to book a boat tour that visits several islands in one go.
Book the day trip by boat to Aegina, Hydra, and Poros
Getting to the Saronic Islands on Your Own
You can also take a ferry from the port of Piraeus to whichever island takes your fancy. This is especially worth it if you’re planning to spend the night on an island.
