13 Best Day Trips from Athens Plus a Couple of Additional Tidbits

If you are heading to Athens for a vacation, you will be spoiled with things to do in and around the city without venturing anywhere else. However, if you want the best experience while on mainland Greece, Athens is a great home base for fantastic day trips to other parts of the beautiful country. 

We will highlight 14 of the best day trips from Athens to give you some great ideas of where to go and what you can do. These trips suit all travelers, from solo travelers to couples, families, and large groups of friends. We will also offer some handy tips to improve your trip.

1. Delphi

One of the best day trips from Athens for history lovers is Delphi. The town is found on the stunning Mount Parnassus and is the 4th century BCE site of the Temple of Apollo, which is believed to be the ancient home of a famous oracle. Although the renowned place of sacredness had been lost in time for more than 1000 years, it was finally found again in 1897.

The two most important sites you must visit while in Delphi are the Tholos, a circular construction built in approximately 290 BCE, and the Sanctuary of Apollo, built a half mile away. In Greek mythology, the story is that Zeus released two of his eagles, and one flew from the west, while the other flew from the east. As they flew towards each other, they met in the middle of their journeys, marking the place where Delphi would eventually be built. For ancient Greeks, this place was considered the center of their world.

2. Nafplio

Found on the Peloponnese coast, Nafplio is another of the best day trips from Athens. At one point in history, it was the capital of the State of Greece and is particularly popular with couples looking to have a destination wedding. Imagine stunning harbor front views, enclosed bays, family-run eateries, dainty little stores, and cobbled streets, and you will get an idea of why this town is so unique and romantic.

There is also a fascinating Archaeological Museum, and the castle is an important site worth visiting while in Nafplio.

3. Arachova

Arachova is hidden away and relatively easy to miss. If you are looking for unique day trips from Athens, then Arachova is well worth it. You will find that many tours include a stop at Arachova, but there is enough to see and do to warrant a full day's worth of exploration. For adrenaline junkies and extreme sports fans, Arachova is known as a fantastic skiing destination because it's high in steep mountains. However, if you want a more paced exploration of the town, you can hike up and down the hills.

The town center is also lovely and has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Many little slopeside homes, boutique hotels, and small shops are there. 

4. Meteora

If you are interested in nature and scenery, then Meteora is a standout example of Greece's natural beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most beautiful places in Greece and continental Europe. Although it was formed many millennia ago, it still looks the same. There are 25 monasteries in the area, but only 6 are still open to the public and fully functioning. The biggest is the Megalo or Grand Monastery, built with intriguing architecture and incredible views. If you get the chance, you should definitely take a day trip from Athens.

5. Cape Sounion

Located roughly 70 km/44 miles southeast of the capital, Cape Sounion is one of the best day trips from Athens. One of the most popular Grecian attractions is the Temple of Poseidon. According to Greek legends, it is the place where the King of Athens, Aegeus, fell off the coast and into the sea because he thought his son had died. People named the sea after the King, and it is still called the same name – the Aegean Sea. 

If you time your visit right, you can experience one of Europe's most dramatic and sublime sunsets. There is plenty for history lovers to enjoy, including remains and ruins that date as early as the 8th century BCE.

6. Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal

Corinth is a perfect day trip from Athens, given the ancient city's location is only an hour's drive away. Again, this is another place often featured on many guided tours. However, if you want the freedom to explore the sites you wish to, it is best to do it alone. The first thing you will want to do when you get there is visit the Corinth Canal. It was completed in 1893 and involved excavations as much as 80 meters deep to create the 23 m/75 ft. wide and 6.3 km/4 m. long canal. 

After reflecting on the canal's impressiveness, you should also take time to explore the historical sites in Ancient Corinth. Found in the mountains, the ancient part of the city is full of relics, ruins, and remains of the area's checkered history. The helpful and inspirational Archaeological Museum has more information about the area and more stunning artifacts. 

7. Lake Marathon

If all the history that Greece has within its borders gets too much, Lake Marathon is one of the best day trips from Athens for nature lovers. This is perfect for getting away from the hustle-bustle of modern Athens and returning to a more rural setting. Lake Marathon is an important water supply reservoir found within a mountainous area. A dam was built during the 30s, and the reservoir acted as the capital's primary water source for many decades.

However, nowadays, it is popular among visitors for lakeside strolls and picnics. The views are nothing short of spectacular. And if you are interested in bird watching, you can spot various water birds, owls, and hawks around the lake. 

That's not to say there are no sites of historic value in the area. The town has an important archaeological site and an associated museum. In addition to these spots, there are little cafes, other eateries, lovely lanes, and boardwalks where you can spend hours exploring. 

8. Mycenae

Mycenae, found in the north-eastern side of the Peloponnese region, is just 120 km/75 m outside of the capital, making it one of the best day trips out of Athens if you have an empty spot in your itinerary. You will find some of the most critically important and popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites there. The town dates back to the later years of the Bronze Era. Mycenae is the home of King Agamemnon, a local legend who led the Grecian Army during the pivotal Trojan War. 

Cyclops, the mythological giant with one eye, was said to have constructed the town's incredibly tall and intimidating walls. For more information, you can walk around the area and look at exceptionally well-preserved tombs and a small museum. The Treasury of Atreus and the Lion Gate are the most popular sites.

9. Parnitha National Park

Parnitha National Park is one of the best Athens day trips. It is 30 km./ 19 m. north of Greece's capital and has many great trails to choose from. Few tourists typically visit here, so you may have a relatively quiet time on the mountainside, apart from the locals who love exploring the area. 

Apart from being much more peaceful than other parts of busy Greece, it also gives you a glimpse at a different side of the country and offers the chance to reflect, refresh, and relax.

10. Nemea

If you love wine, Nemea should be at the top of your Athens day trips. It offers a chance to learn more about Greece's incredible history and heritage and to familiarize yourself with the locally produced tipples. Situated just an hour's drive southwest of the capital, Nemea is home to the single largest vineyard in the country, known for producing world-class wine. 

According to legends, Nemea is where Hercules, of Greek mythology, carried out his first “labor.” This is where he supposedly killed the terrifying Nemean lion that had been scaring the local villagers and ruining the area. Once he had killed the lion, Hercules became a well-known hero. 

There is a fascinating archaeological site that offers insight into this supposed incident. The town was also where the Nemea Games were held every two years, alternating with the Olympic Games. They had been held there since 573 BCE. There is an incredible stadium with a capacity of 40,000 where those games were held, a fascinating archaeological museum, and an impressive temple for Zeus. 

11. Epidaurus

Epidaurus is a trendy destination with locals and tourists in the know. It is a great day trip from Athens. There, you will find one of the biggest and most famous Ancient Greek Theatres that offers a remarkable view. It is located in the northeast of Peloponnese, within the Argolis region. Although the theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth all the fuss and interest, the town beside it is fascinating and should be added to your itinerary. 

The theatre is still used during summer for live concerts, thanks to its incredible natural acoustics. If you can, we recommend checking out at least one show. While you are in the town, visit the museum and the Sanctuary of Asklepios, which apparently has healing properties.

12. Aegina, Poros, and Hydra Islands

As you might expect in a country famous for islands off the mainland, there are lots of island day trips from Athens. Among the best are the ones that take you to Aegina, Poros, and Hydra. The island of Hydra is particularly famous for its impressive architecture and old town, which has streets that have stayed the same since society was first established there. You will find many traditional tavernas, beach coves, and boutique shops. 

Poros similarly offers excellent scenery, hiking options, architectural delights, watersports, and a beautiful waterfront promenade that features inspiring vistas of the gorgeous Peloponnese mountains. 

Aegina is perfect for more archaeological finds. Its fascinating museum, which was the first to be established within the modern State of Greece, contains numerous incredible artifacts. 

There is also the Agios Nektarios Monastery and Kolona archaeological site. 

13. Eleusis

Eleusis is another of the best day trips from Athens and is last on our list. Although it may be a small town, it has a significant past and heritage. It is based between the iconic cities of Corinth and Athens and was recently honored as the European Capital of Culture in 2021. 

There are a lot of interesting facts about this town. For one thing, it was home to the so-called Eleusinian Mysteries, which, according to mythology, were secret rites held by religious zealots created by the goddess of harvest and agriculture, Demeter. These rites represented regeneration, immortality, and fertility. Curiously, even though thousands of people supposedly participated in the rituals, there was no objective evidence to support what happened during them. There were apparently rules that stated no one should speak about the rituals or they would be put to death. 

In addition, it was one of the 5 sacred cities of Ancient Greece. Its port has a horrific past and was titled the Graveyard of Ships because it saw countless shipwrecks during its history. 

Final Thoughts

You really are spoiled for choices with day trips from Athens, with something to suit everyone. You could spend weeks without leaving Athens and not see everything there, but we think you should spend at least one day getting outside of the city and checking out some of these other places that are close by. 

Are there any you think we have missed from the list? Let us know in the comments below.

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