The 8 Best Day Trips from Athens: Tested + Ranked

The Best Day Trips from Athens 2026: 8 Tested Itineraries

Best day trips from Athens span Delphi oracle ruins + Cape Sounion sunset temple + Hydra car-free island + Meteora cliff monasteries (overnight) — all under 3 hours.

Quick Summary

Best day trips from Athens span Delphi oracle ruins + Cape Sounion sunset temple + Hydra car-free island + Meteora cliff monasteries (overnight) — all under 3 hours.

Top 8 Day Trips from Athens

1Delphi + Mt. Parnassus

Distance: 2 hr 30Duration: Full day

Ancient oracle ruins + Sanctuary of Apollo + UNESCO + mountain backdrop. Mythological center of the world.

How to get there: KTEL bus from Liosion station, 3 hr, €15. Or guided tour €60-80.

2Cape Sounion Sunset

Distance: 1 hr 15Duration: Half day

Temple of Poseidon (444 BC) perched on cliff over Aegean — Lord Byron carved his name here.

How to get there: KTEL bus from Klafthmonos Square, €7. Time to catch sunset.

3Hydra Island

Distance: 1 hr 30 ferryDuration: Full day

Car-free Saronic Gulf island — donkeys + cobblestone harbor + crystal swimming. Hydroland Express ferry.

How to get there: Hydroland Express from Piraeus, 1.5 hr, €30 RT.

4Aegina Island

Distance: 40 min ferryDuration: Half day

Closest Saronic island — Temple of Aphaia + pistachios + quick swimming day-trip.

How to get there: Ferry from Piraeus, 40 min fast / 70 min slow, €13-18 RT.

5Nafplio (Greek 1st Capital)

Distance: 2 hrDuration: Full day

Bougainvillea-draped Venetian town + Palamidi fortress (999 steps) + best gelato in Greece.

How to get there: KTEL bus from Kifissou terminal, 2.5 hr, €15.

6Mycenae + Epidaurus

Distance: 2 hrDuration: Full day

Bronze Age citadel (1600 BC) + Lion Gate + Tomb of Agamemnon + acoustic Epidaurus theater.

How to get there: Guided tour €60-80 or KTEL bus + local transit (involved).

7Meteora Monasteries

Distance: 4 hr (overnight)Duration: Overnight

Cliff-top Eastern Orthodox monasteries from 14th century — surreal sandstone pillars + sunset light.

How to get there: Train from Larissis station to Kalambaka, 4 hr, €25. Stay overnight.

8Marathon Battlefield + Schinias

Distance: 45 minDuration: Half day

Where 10,000 Athenians defeated 25,000 Persians (490 BC) + Marathon Museum + Schinias beach.

How to get there: Bus 4 + 304 from Mavromateon, €5.

Planning more of Athens? See our 3-day Athens itinerary, Greece travel guide, the destinations index, or our Ultimate Bucket List.

Athens Day Trips FAQ

What is the best day trip from Athens?

Delphi — UNESCO oracle ruins + mountain temple complex, 2.5 hours away. Most asked-for day trip.

Can you visit Greek islands as day trips from Athens?

Yes — Saronic Gulf islands (Hydra, Aegina, Poros) all reachable as day trips by ferry from Piraeus (40 min to 2 hrs).

Is Meteora worth the long trip from Athens?

Yes but treat as overnight — 4 hours each way by train. Stay 1 night in Kalambaka to see monasteries at sunrise/sunset.

How expensive are Athens day trips?

Most €15-30 transport. Saronic island ferries pricier (€20-40 RT). Guided tours $60-120 per person.