10 Best Day Trips from Athens

10 Best Day Trips from Athens

Athens is located in Southern Europe and is the capital city of Greece. It is a large metropolis that is cosmopolitan, and the center of the economic, financial, political, cultural, and maritime life of Greece.

While a visit to Athens will expose you to the arts, learning and philosophy, the many day trips to its surroundings will add value to your excursion of Greece as a whole. We have rounded up the 10 best day trips from Athens for your selection and indulgence.

1. Trip to Halkida

View of the Acropolis- by Christophe Meneboeuf- Wikimedia Commons

A trip to Halkida gives the perfect taste for the Greek small-town life. This lovely seaside town is located on the channel separating Evia Island from the mainland. Its famous phenomenon is the changing of direction of the channels’ water flow every six hours.

The many beaches nearby that are very clean boast many seaside restaurants with fresh seafood. While this delicacy is prevalent in Athens, the variety here is a lot more than what you’d find in Athens.

A trip to Halkida gives you a break from the city for a relaxed day devoid of sightseeing. The trip from Athens to Halkida is an hours’ drive.

2. Trip to Nafplio and the ancient Argolis region

Nafplio fortress- by Ken Russell Salvador- Wikimedia Commons

For a look into the origins of Greece, a day trip to the Nafplio and the ancient Argolis region is ideal. The Argolis peninsula is one of the longest inhabited regions in Greece, and also has Greece’s highest number of major ancient sites.

Nafplio is Greece’s pride and joy, one of the prettiest towns in Greece. Here you will be privy to Venetian and neoclassical architecture and fortresses. This town boasts elegant boutique hotels, small restaurants, and tasteful shops in narrow alleys making them such fun to discover. The sandy beaches and local wineries make the region very attractive and worth the day trip.

3. Trip to Hydra

Hydra- by dronepicr- Wikimedia Commons

A day trip to hydra completely flips the script of your Greece- Athens trip. This rocky Island’s well-preserved stone mansions against the backdrop of a stunning harbor has such a charm to it. It is an exceptional island.

About 2 hours from Venice, immerse yourself in the rich history of the island of Hydra transcribed through its many small museums, art galleries, and architectural legacies left behind mostly by the great naval families of the past, also masterminds of the Greek Revolution.

A lot more fun awaits in the sophisticated boutique hotels and harbor with beautiful yachts. Prepare for a car-free day at Hydra as the Island is 100% car-free!

4. Trip to the Marathon battlefield and Cape Sounion

Temple of Poseidon- by Petroskaz- Wikimedia Commons

Kill two birds with one stone on a day trip from Athens to the Marathon battlefield and experience the famed Sounion sunset while at it. These two locations are close to each other thus you won’t break a sweat. Besides the gorgeous sunset at Sounion, you will get to see the Temple of Poseidon that holds the Cape- the grand white marble columns of the temple still stand, which proves the superior ancient Greeks civilization. On this trip, you should also take a break to enjoy a hearty meal of fish in nearby Lavrio.

One of the greatest battles in history went down at Marathon. Your day trip here rewards you with a visit to the archeological museum, the tomb of warriors that fell in the battle as well as the lake and dam.

Marathon is also where present-day Athens Marathon commences- the legendary ancient courier Pheidippides was the first to run this route.

5. Trip to Delphi

Delphi Temple of Apollo-by Skyring- Wikimedia Commons

Delphi is one of Greece’s most important archeological sites once considered the center of the world by ancient Greeks. One of the traditions they upheld is visiting Delphi for the purposes of communication with the Gods at the Temple of Apollo which you will want to see.

You will be mesmerized by the outstanding preservation of the Temple Apollo. The day trip also allows visiting the ancient theatre and stadium. A rather packed day trip that you can however handle comfortably, the trip to Delphi includes a visit to the mountain village of Arachova after seeing the archeological treasures inside Delphi Museum.

6. Trip to the monasteries of Meteora

Monasteries of Meteora- by Oren Rozen- Wikimedia Commons

UNESCO has designated the monasteries of Meteora a World Heritage Site. Meteora is one of the most visited attractions in Greece, and a day trip to the region will reveal why- the six Byzantine monasteries in total perch precariously atop tall sandstone mounds! They are a spectacular sight to behold. The stunning architecture and spiritual atmosphere will leave you glad to have chosen the day trip to Meteora.

7. Trip to Argolis Peninsula

The Argolis Peninsula presents you with so many choices of historic sites! On this day trip you will be spoilt for choice but you should see the cream of the crop such as the Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Even if you visited only the three aforementioned sites, you will have gathered a rich history in engineering, archeology, and war legends.

This day trip is about two hours from Athens.

8. Trip to the Islands

A change in scenery with a visit to the most idyllic islands of the Saronic Gulf is ideal. A day trip to the Islands is a full-day affair that will leave you refreshed after walking along sandy shores and quaint stone villages while wading in the crystal clear waters.

Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Islands each have their persona thus you’ll be able to enjoy diversity despite being in the Islands. You could handle Hydra separately on a different day trip as described in these recommendations for the 10 best day trips from Athens or as part of the three Island day trip.

At Hydra, you’ll enjoy the car-free thus quiet atmosphere, while at Aegina you’ll be fascinated by the mythical Temple of Aphaia that dates back to the 5^th century. Poros Islands pine trees and golden beaches beckon with the grandeur they present.

9. Trip sailing along the Athenian coast

This day trip affords you the luxury of diving off a yacht moored in a secluded cove should you choose to. The trip sets off from the marina in Athens and sails along the Athenian coast with plenty of stops for swimming and snorkeling. You may also learn the basics of sailing.

The day trip along the Athenian coast from Athens injects a different kind of fun into your trip, and will have you envisioning the idyllic Greek lifestyle for yourself!

10. Scuba diving trip in the Blue Hole

Quite literal, the Blue hole is a sea cave that burrows vertically down 30 meters or 98 feet into the ocean floor. The hole resembles a man-made well with a dark opening at its bottom that opens up to a network of caves that are said to be connected to Lake Vouliagmeni which is close by.

The reward for this brave dive is the footage of yourself in action recorded by the diving instructors as a souvenir for you.

This day trip is quite the adventure, and different from your typical vacation day trip; a geological anomaly that works just fine!

These 10 best day trips from Athens are not only exciting but give you a variety to choose from to ensure you make the most out of your trip to Greece and Athens.