14 Best Athens Day Trips in 2024

Are you looking for the best day trips from Athens? Then you’ve come to the right place. Athens has some fantastic day trip options whether you are looking to explore the ruins of Ancient Greece, want to explore the beautiful Aegean Sea, or just want a taste of adventure. There’s something for everyone.

I put together this list of the top 14 best Athens day trips based on ratings and positive reviews so that you can get your money and times worth on your vacation.

Athens has an almost overwhelming number of day trips to sort through so to make it easy, all you have to do is pick what appeals to you, book, and enjoy! If it’s your first time in Athens, my recommendation is to spend 4 days in Athens, using two of those days for day trips and two days for Athens.

Below you’ll find the top rated 14 best day trips from Athens so all you know you’re making a good choice when booking.

My Top 3 Day Picks: Best Day Tours from Athens

14 Best Day Trips from Athens

1. Delphi Site & Museum Guided One-Day Trip with Pickup

⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 10 hours | 🚌 Check Rates and Availability

A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi is my number one pick for a day trip from Athens. The bus trip to Delphi takes you through beautiful mountain scenery with the opportunity to stop for photos.

At Delphi, you will have a chance to explore the archeological site as well as visit the museum. Delphi feels otherworldly and a chance to explore one of Ancient Greece’s most important sites is not to be missed. My visit to Delphi was one of my favourite experiences in Greece.

This tour was my favorite experience during my vacation!

-Rick (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

The tour includes lunch and a stop at the Temple of Athena. The Temple of Athena is one of the most beautiful sites at Delphi and is known for its connection to the oracle of Delphi. The tour finishes up its scenic tour with a stop nearby to take in the mountain scenery and the beautiful town of Arachova.

2. Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 10 hours | 🚌 Check Rates and Availability

This bus trip from Athens includes Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio. Departing from the Halandri Metro station, your first stop is to take photos at the Isthmus of Corinth. After you head on to see the ancient city of Mycenae. Mycenae is full of archeological treasures to explore including the Lionesses Gate and King Agamemnon’s Tomb.

This was a great day trip, well worth the time and money

-Jeremy (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

After a morning of exploring, you will have lunch in Nafplio, which has excellent seafood restaurants along the port. After lunch, there is time to explore the main sites of Napflio, the former capital of Greece. Finally, a stop in Epidaurus to explore the ancient theatre. This bus trip is perfect for anyone with an interest in ancient Greece or beautiful architecture.

3. Cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina including Lunch and Drinks

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 10 hours | ⚓ Check Rates and Availability

If you’re looking for the perfect day cruise from Athens, this is it. This cruise includes pickup if needed as well as a delicious Greek lunch and wine or beer. It’s the perfect escape from Athens to get a taste of the island life.

Fantastic all-day cruise! Wonderful way to spend the day getting a flavor of the Greek islands, swimming in crystal clear turquoise waters.

-jOHN (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Cruise from Athens through the Saronic Gulf and visit three islands. If you are feeling more adventurous, there are snorkel masks available as well. The first stop is the island of Agistri where you can explore the town of Skala or take your first swim of the day. After, enjoy lunch on board and a stop at Moni Island Beach. The final stop is Aegina, the closest island to Athens.

With beautiful beaches and historic sites, this daytrip promises to be one of your highlights of Athens.

4. Meteora Monasteries Train Tour and Hidden Caves

⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 14 hours | 🚂 Check Rates and Availability

A day in Meteora is one of Athens most popular day tours. This day tour includes your train tickets to and from Kalabaka, where you meet the tour guide and minibus. Getting between Athens and Kalabaka is about 4 hours each way on the train but Meteora is worth it.

The experience was amazing, would absolutely do this again and highly recommend as a must do when coming to Greece!

-Amanda (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

In Meteora, you will start your day with a stop for lunch before exploring the monastaries that Meteora is famous for. During the four hour tour, you will get to see all active monastaries and explore three of them. You will also get to see the hidden Hermit Caves that are in the area.

Meteora is one of Greece’s most scenic and unique destinations and a train tour to Meteora is the perfect way to explore it on a visit to Athens.

5. Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon Half Day Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🚌 Check Rates and Availability

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is one of Athen’s most popular day trips and it’s only an hour out of the city! You can book this half day tour either in the morning or at sunset to get the best lighting. Best of all, it includes free pickup from your hotel so you don’t have to worry about meeting locations.

The temple of Poseidon is awe inspiring and the site had houses and part of the ancient port wall inside.

-Harriet (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

This day trip to Cape Sounion includes a guided tour of the Temple of Poseidon as well as free time afterwards. The free time is perfect for getting a swim in at the nearby beaches or to just admire the sunset. There is fantastic views over the Aegean Sea from the Temple of Poseidon and you will see why this is one of Athen’s most popular sunset spots.

6. Corinth Half-Day Trip

⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🚌 Check Rates and Availability

This morning bus tour to Corinth includes pickup and dropoff at your hotel. The drive is about 1.5 hours each way, but it’s a scenic drive with a stop at the Corinth Canal. The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and was constructed in the late 1800’s.

I was so happy that I spent my last morning in Greece taking this tour of Corinth. The highlight for me was seeing where The Apostle Paul stood explaining and defending his beliefs.

-Angie (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

On the tour you will have a chance to explore the ruins of Corinth as well as visit the museum. For Christians, Anicent Corinth is the site of where the apostle Paul was during his missionary travels. After exploring Corinth, there is a brief stop at the town of Kehreai on the seaside before returning to Athens.

7. Guided Day Trip to Aegina Island

⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 11 hours | ⛴️ Check Rates and Availability

Departing from the main ferry terminal in Athens, Piraeus Port, this day trip to Aegina includes your ferry tickets and a guide for the day. Once you arrive to Aegina Island, you start your day with a visit to Paleochora and Agios Nektarios Monastery. The monastery is one of the largest in Greece. After you will have a couple hours of free time for relaxing on the beach or trying out seafood from the nearby taverns.

Everything about the Aegina trip was just perfect. Basil (our guide) was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

-Sravya (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

In Aegina town, you will have a 1 hour guided tour of this adorable seaside town. You will end the trip with a tasting of locally grown pistachios before boarding the ferry back to Athens. This is the perfect day trip from Athens for a balance of beaches, ancient history, and island life.

8. Catamaran Cruise with Light Lunch and Wine

⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | ⚓ Check Rates and Availability

This catamaran cruise has only rave reviews from travelers. Departing from the Alimos Marina, this cruise has the option for either a morning or afternoon departure. If you want sunset views, choose the afternoon departure. Either way, it includes homemade Greek food and wine to enjoy.

This was amazing! Such a fun day and great value for money, the crew were super friendly and the food was AMAZING! Would highly recommend

-Kelly (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Cruising along the Athens Riveria, this cruise makes a couple of stops. The first is at the uninhabited islet of Hydroussa, perfect for swimming or taking advantage of the snorkeling equipment. After, enjoy lunch in Vouliagmeni Bay, where you also will have a chance to swim. On the way back towards Athens there is an opportunity for the crew to set sails if the winds are favourable. This cruise is sure to be a perfectly relaxing day trip from Athens.

9. Train Trip with Guided Tour to Mount Olympus

⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 13 hours | 🚂 Check Rates and Availability

This day trip from Athens starts from Athens Railway Station where you will use your included tickets to take the scenic train trip to Katerini. The train is about 4 hours each way, but the views are worth it. You meet your guide and driver at Katerini, where they are ready to whisk you away to the fabled Mount Olympus.

The train trip from and to Athens is long but comfortable. Mt. Olympus is beautiful and the waters of Olympus are amazing to see. Loved this trip.

-Melanie (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Mount Olympus is wonderfully scenic and you will have the opportunity to see the archeological site of Dion where ancient Greeks worshipped the gods of Mount Olympus. Then, you will visit the medieval Platamon Castle which has views over the Aegean Sea. Exploring more of the nature side of Mount Olympus, a short walk through a gorge to see the Bath of Zeus. According to the lore, the Bath of Zeus was a hidden spot for Zeus to be away from his wife Hera. End the tour with free time in the village of Litochoro before heading back to Athens by train.

Adventurous Day Trips from Athens

10. Off Road Experience at Marathon Lake with 4×4 Vehicles

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🚙 Check Rates and Availability

Spend the day exploring Marathon Lake with 4×4 vehicles on this tour that includes hotel pickup and dropoff. On your 4×4 tour, you will drive around Marathon Lake which is surrounded by beautiful olive groves and streams. You will also have the chance to see a Greek theatre and church and the Marathon Dam.

It was such a great experience and I’m still amazed by the view and everything we saw during the off-road trip!

-DELIA (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Offroading near Athens is the perfect way to experience some of Greece’s natural scenery and explore more than just the city. If you are up for it, you can try your hand at offroading as well. This is a fantastic way to experience the scenery around Athens and have an unforgettable adventure in Greece!

11. Sea Kayaking Adventure on the South/East Coast

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-6 hours |📅 May-Oct| 🛶 Check Rates and Availability

This sea kayaking trip is perfect if you are looking to spend some time on the water. The tour from Athens includes pickup, dropoff, and snacks. You do need 2 participants minimum so it isn’t suitable for solo-travelers. You start the tour with a short introduction to kayaking skills before setting out on an adventure so it is suitable for beginners.

This was my family’s favorite activity of our entire Grecian vacation! From our pick up at the hotel to our delicious lunch afterwards it was absolute perfection.

-mICHELLE (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Once you are ready to kayak, your instructor will take you on an excursion along the Athenian coast. The coastline has beautiful tall cliffs and caves that you will be able to see from your sea kayak. Best of all is a stop at a beach only accessible from the water where you have time to take a break and swim. This is a great option if you are looking for an adventurous family-friendly day trip from Athens.

12. Athens Sunset Hike

⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2.5 hours | ⛰️ Check Rates and Availability

This sunset hike with views of Athens isn’t quite a day tour, but I’ve included here because its a great way to get out of the city and experience a different side of Athens. This tour can include pickup and dropoff at your hotel or you can save some money and meet your guide at a transit stop. On your guided hike of Hymettus Mountain, you will have the opportunity to view some Byzantine church ruins and get amazing views of Athens.

Michalis will tell you about the natural springs, the former residents on the mount, the nature and also show you a really unique Byzantine church. The sunset view over the city is the finale. I highly recommend this trip

-sTEPHANIE (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

Along pine-covered paths, you will learn about the history of the area and get a break from the heat of Athens. The best part of this day trip is you can easily add it on to a day of exploring Athens so it is perfect if you don’t have a day to spare for an excursion from Athens.

Long Day Trips from Athens

If you are looking for once-in-a-lifetime style day trips, these are for you. Expect to spend a long time on travel but the payoff is some of Greece’s most famous views.

13. Santorini Day Tour with Swimming

⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 18 hours | ✈️ Check Rates and Availability

This day trip to Santorini is definitely a long day but all the logistics are taken care of for you. With pickup and drop off to your hotel, your ferry to Santorini, flight to Athens from Santorini, and guided bus tour on Santorini included. While I generally avoid long days like this, if this is going to be your only chance to visit Santorini or an overnight stay is out of budget, then this day trip is a good option.

The trip is amazing. No hurrying, no pressure just pure relaxation and the best of Santorini in one day!

-Inna (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

After your scenic ferry ride across the Aegean Sea, you will arrive at the volcanic island of Santorini. Your driver will take you to Oia where you can see the scenic white-washed houses and embark on a one-hour guided tour to a scenic outlook. You will transfer to Fira by bus. In Fira, enjoy a guided tour of the best photo spots in Santorini’s capital. End your time in Santorini by visiting its famous black sand beach and going for a swim and enjoying some lunch.

14. Mykonos Day Trip with Ferry Tickets

⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 16-17 hours | ⛴️ Check Rates and Availability

On your day trip to Mykonos from Athens you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Port of Rafina where you will catch the fast, 3-hour ferry to Mykonos. You will have 7 hours on the island of Mykonos to explore the winding alleyways and see the famous windmills. The day trip includes a 1 hour guided tour of the top sites before you are given free time for the rest of the day.

Excellent way to see the highlights of Mykonos without an expensive stay on the island. Lots of free time to view the amazing old town, take lots of photos and maybe visit a beach.

-Gareth (Read moRE rEVIEWS)

In your free time, you can enjoy a nice meal and explore the town or go to the beach. The optional beach trip does cost extra but it will give you a chance to relax on the beaches of Mykonos. After spending the day, you will take a fast ferry back to Athens before getting dropped off at your hotel.

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