Why Athens is a great base for day trips
Athens sits at the center of the ancient Greek world, and some of its greatest sites are an easy day away. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is under two hours down the coast. Delphi, the sanctuary of the oracle, is about three hours into the mountains. Mycenae, Epidaurus and the harbor town of Nafplio lie across the Corinth Canal, and the islands of the Saronic Gulf, Aegina, Poros and Hydra, are a short boat ride from Piraeus. Athens has a deep choice of coach tours, island cruises and private drivers that do the hard work for you.
This guide compares the best day trips from Athens, Greece, with an honest look at how much walking each involves, so you can pick the ones that suit your pace. Greek sites are rocky, hilly and often short on shade, so the walking matters here more than in most places. With four or five days in Athens, one or two day trips is plenty. Cape Sounion is the easiest; Delphi and the three-island cruise are the classic full days out. For the city itself, see our Athens guide.
The best day trips from Athens, compared
Times are one way from central Athens by the usual tour coach, public bus, ferry, or train. Walking levels assume you use the easiest options described below. Entry prices are the 2026 adult prices; there is no over-65 discount for visitors from outside the EU.
| Day trip | Time from Athens | Getting there | Walking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Sounion | About 1.5 to 2 hr | Half-day tour, or the coastal KTEL bus from Pedion Areos | Easy to moderate: vehicles stop about 150 m from the temple, on an uneven approach | The Temple of Poseidon on a cliff above the sea |
| Delphi | About 3 hr | Coach tour, or the KTEL bus from the Liossion terminal | Moderate to hard: a steep hillside of uneven paths with little shade; the museum has a lift | The sanctuary of the oracle and a superb museum |
| Hydra, Poros and Aegina cruise | A 12-hour cruise from Marina Kallitheas | One-day cruise, with three island stops | Easy to moderate: you choose how far to walk at each stop | Three islands in one relaxed day at sea |
| Aegina | About 40 min by fast boat, 65 to 85 min by ferry | Ferry from Piraeus, all year | Easy to moderate: stay near the harbor; the Temple of Aphaia is a 17-minute ride | Pistachios, a harbor town, and a hilltop temple |
| Hydra | About 1 to 2 hr by fast boat | Ferry from Piraeus | Moderate to hard: no cars, cobbles, and steps once you leave the harbor | A car-free island of stone mansions and donkeys |
| Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio | About 2 hr to Nafplio; a 10 to 11 hr tour | Coach tour via the Corinth Canal | Moderate to hard: an uneven climb at Mycenae, steep theater steps at Epidaurus | Agamemnon's citadel, the great theater, and a seaside town |
| Ancient Corinth and the canal | About 1 hr by suburban train | Half-day tour, or the train to Korinthos and a taxi | Moderate: open ruins with uneven ground and little shade | The Corinth Canal and the city St. Paul knew |
| Meteora | About 4.5 hr by road | Coach or private tour of 12 to 14 hr; no direct train | Hard: a very long day, and up to 300 steps per monastery | Monasteries perched on towering rock pillars |
| Marathon | About 1 hr by road | Half-day tour or car; the KTEL bus leaves from Nomismatokopeio metro | Easy at each site, but the three sites are spread out, so a car or tour is needed | The burial mound of the Athenians who fell in 490 BC |
| Mykonos or Santorini | About 50 min by air to Santorini; 2.5 hr or more by ferry to Mykonos | Flight or fast ferry | Hard: a rushed and costly day | A glimpse of the Cyclades, if you can't stay |
- Time from Athens
- About 1.5 to 2 hr
- Getting there
- Half-day tour, or the coastal KTEL bus from Pedion Areos
- Walking
- Easy to moderate: vehicles stop about 150 m from the temple, on an uneven approach
- Best for
- The Temple of Poseidon on a cliff above the sea
- Time from Athens
- About 3 hr
- Getting there
- Coach tour, or the KTEL bus from the Liossion terminal
- Walking
- Moderate to hard: a steep hillside of uneven paths with little shade; the museum has a lift
- Best for
- The sanctuary of the oracle and a superb museum
- Time from Athens
- A 12-hour cruise from Marina Kallitheas
- Getting there
- One-day cruise, with three island stops
- Walking
- Easy to moderate: you choose how far to walk at each stop
- Best for
- Three islands in one relaxed day at sea
- Time from Athens
- About 40 min by fast boat, 65 to 85 min by ferry
- Getting there
- Ferry from Piraeus, all year
- Walking
- Easy to moderate: stay near the harbor; the Temple of Aphaia is a 17-minute ride
- Best for
- Pistachios, a harbor town, and a hilltop temple
- Time from Athens
- About 1 to 2 hr by fast boat
- Getting there
- Ferry from Piraeus
- Walking
- Moderate to hard: no cars, cobbles, and steps once you leave the harbor
- Best for
- A car-free island of stone mansions and donkeys
- Time from Athens
- About 2 hr to Nafplio; a 10 to 11 hr tour
- Getting there
- Coach tour via the Corinth Canal
- Walking
- Moderate to hard: an uneven climb at Mycenae, steep theater steps at Epidaurus
- Best for
- Agamemnon's citadel, the great theater, and a seaside town
- Time from Athens
- About 1 hr by suburban train
- Getting there
- Half-day tour, or the train to Korinthos and a taxi
- Walking
- Moderate: open ruins with uneven ground and little shade
- Best for
- The Corinth Canal and the city St. Paul knew
- Time from Athens
- About 4.5 hr by road
- Getting there
- Coach or private tour of 12 to 14 hr; no direct train
- Walking
- Hard: a very long day, and up to 300 steps per monastery
- Best for
- Monasteries perched on towering rock pillars
- Time from Athens
- About 1 hr by road
- Getting there
- Half-day tour or car; the KTEL bus leaves from Nomismatokopeio metro
- Walking
- Easy at each site, but the three sites are spread out, so a car or tour is needed
- Best for
- The burial mound of the Athenians who fell in 490 BC
- Time from Athens
- About 50 min by air to Santorini; 2.5 hr or more by ferry to Mykonos
- Getting there
- Flight or fast ferry
- Walking
- Hard: a rushed and costly day
- Best for
- A glimpse of the Cyclades, if you can't stay
Delphi day trip from Athens: how to do it comfortably
Delphi is the day trip from Athens that tops most lists, and for good reason: a day trip to Delphi from Athens takes you to the most dramatic ancient site on the Greek mainland. The ancient Greeks believed it was the center of the world, and the sanctuary of Apollo, where pilgrims came to consult the oracle, climbs a mountainside above a valley of olive trees. The setting is breathtaking and the museum is one of the finest in Greece. It is also a long day, and the site is steep, so it pays to plan it carefully.
Delphi day trip from Athens: tour or bus
Most visitors go on a coach tour. Full-day Delphi tours from Athens run about 9 to 10 hours, with hotel pickup between about 7:30 and 8:15am, a guided walk through the site, and time in the museum. On your own, the KTEL bus leaves from the Liossion bus terminal, near Kato Patissia metro, and takes about 3 hours, for about €15 each way. A taxi to the terminal is the easiest way to start. Check the return times before you go, as buses are not frequent.
Tickets and opening hours
A single ticket of €20 covers the site and the museum in 2026. Prices rose in April 2025, so older guides and some tour listings still show lower fees. The half-price rate for visitors over 65 applies only to EU citizens, and only from October to May; adults from the US and elsewhere pay full price whatever their age. Entry is free for everyone on the first and third Sundays from November to March. From November through March the site closes at 3:30pm, which makes the late-morning bus too late for a full visit; in summer it opens at 8am.
Can you see Delphi without climbing?
Partly. The sanctuary climbs the hillside in stages: the Temple of Apollo first, then the theater midway, then the stadium at the top, which is now viewed from outside for safety reasons. Many travelers see the Temple of Apollo and the lower terraces, then rest and enjoy the view while others climb on. The museum, about a 10-minute walk from the site entrance, has a ramp and a lift, so it is the easiest part of the day. The round Tholos, often in photographs, stands in a separate sanctuary about 1.5 km away across the road; many tours skip it, and parts of the area have been closed at times after a 2024 rockfall.
What the walking is really like
- Steep and uneven: The paths are rough stone and gravel on a steep slope, with steps in places. Reviewers often mention a great deal of walking and climbing on uneven surfaces.
- Little shade: There is very little shade on the site. In summer, go early, carry water, and wear a hat.
- The museum: It has a ramp, a lift and accessible toilets. Allow about an hour.
- Shoes: Wear shoes with a good grip: ancient marble and stone are slippery, especially when wet.
More of the best day trips from Athens, Greece
Day trip to Cape Sounion from Athens: the Temple of Poseidon
The Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff 65 meters above the Aegean at the tip of Attica, and a day trip from Athens to the Temple of Poseidon is the easiest of all day trips from Athens. Half-day sunset tours take about 5 hours, and some full-day tours combine Sounion with sights in Athens. On your own, the KTEL coastal bus starts on Mavromateon Street at Pedion tou Areos, also stopping near Syntagma, and takes just under two hours along the Athens Riviera, about €15 return at last report, paid on board; check the time of the last bus back before you stay for sunset. The site is open daily from 9:30am until sunset, and the ticket is €20 in 2026. Because the site closes at sunset, staff may clear the temple area as the sun goes down, so arrive an hour or more before sunset to enjoy it. Vehicles stop about 150 meters from the temple, and the approach is uneven, with slippery marble and little shade.
Greek island day trips from Athens: the Hydra, Poros and Aegina cruise
The classic way to see the Greek islands in a day is the three-island cruise. The Athens Day Cruise leaves Marina Kallitheas, near Flisvos on the coast south of the city, at 7:45am and returns about 7:45pm, with about 1 hour 40 minutes on Hydra, 45 minutes on Poros, and 1 hour 45 minutes on Aegina, for €115 in 2026, including port taxes. It is a relaxing day at sea, and you can stay close to the harbor at each stop. Wheelchair access varies by ship and is limited, so travelers who use one should contact the operator before booking and travel with a companion.
Day trip to Aegina from Athens
Aegina is the closest of the islands, and the easiest Greek island day trip from Athens on your own. Fast boats from Piraeus take about 30 to 40 minutes and conventional ferries about 65 to 85 minutes, all year round, with sailings from about 6am to about 8:45pm, so check the time of the last boat back; foot-passenger fares run from about €10. Saronic boats usually leave from Gate E8 at Piraeus, so check your ticket. The island is famous for pistachios, and the harbor town is lively, with cafes along the water. The Temple of Aphaia, one of the best-preserved temples in Greece, is about 17 minutes by taxi from the port, and costs €10.
Hydra: the car-free island
Hydra is the most beautiful of the Saronic islands, a harbor of stone mansions with no cars at all; goods and luggage are carried by donkey. Fast boats from Piraeus take about 1 to 2 hours, with up to 12 crossings a day in season. The harbor front is the easiest part, with cafes along the water. Once you leave it, the town climbs a steep hillside on cobbled lanes and steps, so travelers with limited mobility are happiest staying by the harbor. It is also a stop on the three-island cruise.
Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio
This is the great classical day out in the Peloponnese. Tours from Athens run about 10 to 11 hours, usually stopping at the Corinth Canal, then visiting the citadel of Mycenae, the 14,000-seat theater at Epidaurus, famous for its acoustics, and the elegant harbor town of Nafplio. Entry to Mycenae and Epidaurus is €20 each in 2026, or €40 a person for both, often on top of the tour price, so check what is included. The walking is demanding: from the Lion Gate at Mycenae the path climbs over worn, uneven stone with few handrails and almost no shade, and reaching the top of the theater at Epidaurus means about 110 steep steps, though you can enjoy the view and the acoustics from the lowest rows. KTEL buses from the Kifissos terminal reach Nafplio in about 2 hours 10 minutes, but seeing both sites by bus in a day is not realistic.
Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal, a narrow cut through solid rock about an hour from Athens, reopened to shipping in June 2026 after landslide repairs, and there are viewing decks on both sides. Ancient Corinth, about 8 km from the modern town of Corinth, is the city where St. Paul preached, with the Temple of Apollo and a good museum; entry is €15, and in winter the site closes at 3:30pm and is closed on Tuesdays. Half-day tours of the canal and the ancient city run about 5 hours, and biblical tours that follow St. Paul run 6 to 8. On your own, the suburban train runs from Athens to Korinthos in about an hour, then take a taxi.
Meteora day trip from Athens: possible, but very long
The monasteries of Meteora, built on top of towering rock pillars, are one of the most extraordinary sights in Greece, but they are about four and a half hours from Athens by road, so day tours run 12 to 14 hours with about four hours at Meteora. Trains no longer reach Kalambaka, the town below the rocks: since a 2023 storm destroyed the line, the rail journey ends with a replacement bus that cannot carry wheelchairs, and the local monastery bus stopped in 2024. Most monasteries are reached by about 100 to 300 steps; St. Stephen's is the exception, reached by a level footbridge. Each monastery closes one or more days a week, and all are usually open on weekends, though days can change without notice. Dress modestly: women need skirts below the knee and covered shoulders, and men long trousers. For most travelers, an overnight in Kalambaka is far more comfortable than a day trip.
Marathon: a short half-day
The plain of Marathon, about an hour northeast of Athens, is where the Athenians defeated the Persians in 490 BC, and the soldiers' burial mound still stands. The Tomb of the Athenians, the museum, and the nearby site at Brexiza are ticketed separately at €5 each, open from 8:30am to 3:30pm and closed every Tuesday. It is a quiet outing, with short walks at each site, but the sites are spread out, so it is best by car or tour; the KTEL bus now leaves from Nomismatokopeio metro station on Line 3.
Day trip to Santorini from Athens, or Mykonos: the honest answer
Many people search for a day trip to Santorini from Athens, but it is not realistic by sea: the fastest ferries take about 5 hours each way. Flights take about 50 minutes, so a same-day visit is possible by air, but it is rushed and costly. A day trip to Mykonos from Athens is a little easier: Mykonos is about 2.5 hours each way at best on the fast ferry from Rafina, leaving only a few hours on the island. Both islands deserve at least one night; see our Santorini guide and Mykonos guide.
The top-rated full-day trips from Athens right now
These full-day trips of 6 to 12 hours handle all the transport, and are ranked for traveler ratings, comfort, and value. Tours in the destination picker below are left out.
Top-rated day trip tours from Athens, by destination
Choose a destination to load its nine top-rated tours, with live prices and traveler ratings from Viator. Check each tour's starting point: tours that include pickup in Athens handle the transport, while others begin at the site. Most offer free cancellation.
Day trips from Athens by ferry, bus, and train
Several of the best day trips from Athens are easy on your own, by ferry from Piraeus, by public KTEL bus, or by suburban train. Others, especially Mycenae and Epidaurus and Meteora, are far easier on a tour. These are the day trips from Athens you can do on your own:
- Aegina, from Piraeus: About 30 to 40 minutes by fast boat, all year, from early morning to evening.
- Hydra, from Piraeus: About 1 to 2 hours by fast boat, with up to 12 crossings a day in season.
- Cape Sounion, by KTEL bus: Just under 2 hours from Pedion tou Areos along the coast, about €15 return.
- Delphi, by KTEL bus: About 3 hours from the Liossion terminal, about €15 each way.
- Nafplio, by KTEL bus: About 2 hours 10 minutes from the Kifissos terminal.
- Corinth, by suburban train: About an hour to Korinthos, then a taxi to the canal or the ancient city.
Where to catch the boat, bus, or train
Day trips from Athens leave from several different terminals, and the bus stations are on the edge of the center. A taxi is the easiest way to reach them: FreeNow, Bolt and Uber all work in Athens, and Uber books licensed yellow cabs on the meter.
Departure points in Athens
| Departure point | Day trips from here | What's nearby | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus port | Ferries and fast boats to Aegina and Hydra, usually from Gate E8 | The busy port and the waterfront | Metro Line 1 to Piraeus, opposite Gate E5; the free port bus serves Gates E1 to E5, so allow time to walk to E8 |
| Marina Kallitheas (Flisvos) | The one-day Hydra, Poros and Aegina cruise | The coastal promenade at Palaio Faliro | A taxi from the center; check in 30 minutes before the 7:45am departure |
| KTEL Liossion terminal | Buses to Delphi | A plain bus station on Liossion Street | Near Kato Patissia metro on Line 1; a taxi is simplest |
| KTEL Kifissos terminal | Buses to Nafplio and the Peloponnese; for Mycenae, a taxi from the Fichti stop | A large bus station northwest of the center | City bus 051 from Omonia, then a short walk; a taxi is simplest |
| Pedion tou Areos (Mavromateon Street) | The coastal bus to Cape Sounion | A large park near the National Archaeological Museum | A short taxi ride from Syntagma; the bus also stops on Stadiou Street |
| Athens railway station (Larissis) | Suburban trains to Corinth; InterCity trains north | A working neighborhood west of Omonia | Metro Line 2 to Larissa Station |
- Day trips from here
- Ferries and fast boats to Aegina and Hydra, usually from Gate E8
- What's nearby
- The busy port and the waterfront
- Getting there
- Metro Line 1 to Piraeus, opposite Gate E5; the free port bus serves Gates E1 to E5, so allow time to walk to E8
- Day trips from here
- The one-day Hydra, Poros and Aegina cruise
- What's nearby
- The coastal promenade at Palaio Faliro
- Getting there
- A taxi from the center; check in 30 minutes before the 7:45am departure
- Day trips from here
- Buses to Delphi
- What's nearby
- A plain bus station on Liossion Street
- Getting there
- Near Kato Patissia metro on Line 1; a taxi is simplest
- Day trips from here
- Buses to Nafplio and the Peloponnese; for Mycenae, a taxi from the Fichti stop
- What's nearby
- A large bus station northwest of the center
- Getting there
- City bus 051 from Omonia, then a short walk; a taxi is simplest
- Day trips from here
- The coastal bus to Cape Sounion
- What's nearby
- A large park near the National Archaeological Museum
- Getting there
- A short taxi ride from Syntagma; the bus also stops on Stadiou Street
- Day trips from here
- Suburban trains to Corinth; InterCity trains north
- What's nearby
- A working neighborhood west of Omonia
- Getting there
- Metro Line 2 to Larissa Station
When you arrive
| Day trip | Arrive at | What's close to the station | Getting to the sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aegina | Aegina town harbor | Cafes, the fish market, and pistachio shops along the water | The Temple of Aphaia is about 17 minutes by taxi |
| Hydra | Hydra harbor | Waterfront cafes, shops, and mansions | No cars; the town climbs steeply on cobbles and steps |
| Cape Sounion | The bus stop at the site | The cafe and the site entrance | About 150 meters on an uneven path to the temple |
| Delphi | Delphi village | Hotels and tavernas with valley views | A walk to the site entrance; the museum is about 10 minutes from the site |
| Nafplio | Nafplio bus station | The old town and the harbor are close by | Mycenae and Epidaurus need a tour or taxi |
| Corinth | Korinthos station | The modern town | A taxi to the canal bridge or to Ancient Corinth, about 8 km away |
- Arrive at
- Aegina town harbor
- What's close to the station
- Cafes, the fish market, and pistachio shops along the water
- Getting to the sights
- The Temple of Aphaia is about 17 minutes by taxi
- Arrive at
- Hydra harbor
- What's close to the station
- Waterfront cafes, shops, and mansions
- Getting to the sights
- No cars; the town climbs steeply on cobbles and steps
- Arrive at
- The bus stop at the site
- What's close to the station
- The cafe and the site entrance
- Getting to the sights
- About 150 meters on an uneven path to the temple
- Arrive at
- Delphi village
- What's close to the station
- Hotels and tavernas with valley views
- Getting to the sights
- A walk to the site entrance; the museum is about 10 minutes from the site
- Arrive at
- Nafplio bus station
- What's close to the station
- The old town and the harbor are close by
- Getting to the sights
- Mycenae and Epidaurus need a tour or taxi
- Arrive at
- Korinthos station
- What's close to the station
- The modern town
- Getting to the sights
- A taxi to the canal bridge or to Ancient Corinth, about 8 km away
Tips for day trips on your own
- Book site tickets online: Buy tickets for archaeological sites on the official Hellenic Heritage site, tickets.hh.gr, to avoid queues. Keep your passport handy for any reduced rate.
- Senior prices: The half-price rate for over-65s applies only to EU citizens, from October to May. Visitors with a disability, of any nationality, enter free with proof, and so does one companion for higher levels of disability.
- Strikes: Ferry and transport strikes happen several times a year, especially on February 28 and May 1. Check the news a few days before any ferry day trip, and keep a backup plan.
- Heat: In heatwaves, the Ministry of Culture can close the Acropolis in the middle of the day and shorten hours at other sites. In summer, start early, carry water, and save the afternoon for the boat or a long lunch.
The easiest way to take day trips from Athens
- Coach tours and island cruises: Transport, a guide, and sometimes lunch. Best for Delphi, Mycenae and Epidaurus, Meteora, and seeing three islands in one day.
- Private tours and drivers: Door-to-door at your own pace, with stops where you choose. The most comfortable option for limited mobility, and good value shared between two to four travelers, especially for Sounion and Delphi.
- On your own by ferry, bus, or train: The least expensive and most flexible way to see Aegina, Hydra, Cape Sounion, and Corinth.
Planning tips
- Pace yourself: With four or five days in Athens, one or two day trips is plenty; leave a quiet day after a long coach tour.
- Check opening days and hours: Winter hours are short, with many sites closing at 3:30pm from November to March. Marathon closes every Tuesday, Ancient Corinth on Tuesdays in winter, and each Meteora monastery on its own days.
- Choose your season: Spring and autumn are the best seasons for day trips: warm, with fewer crowds. In July and August, the heat on the open sites is intense.