Youll also get to try some of the local red wines, like Agiorgitiko, as well as international varieties grown in Greece, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Havent had enough history just yet? 
Mid trip, a hearty Greek lunch will be provided, so make sure to eat your weight in grape leaves and traditional Greek cake (I sure did). (Who am I kidding, how could anyone get tired of island hopping in Greece?!) Savatiano, a white variety thats native to Greece, is the most famous wine in the wine region near Athens and is produced in high numbers there. If you DIY this trip, you may have a harder time finding a spot to swim, but there are plenty of seaside restaurants where you can take in the sunset views! Here, you can hang out by the water or explore the town, where youll find cobblestoned streets and adorable shops and Greek tavernas. Here, youll see tons of marble columns that made up the once lavish, extravagant temple. Its the local equivalent of Big Ben and a good place to take sunset pictures. On the tour, you can try white wines like Assyrtiko, Malagousia, and Savatiano. Doric Temple of Aphaia Athena which, along with the Parthenon of Athens and Temple of Apollo at Delphi, makes up part of the Holy Triangle of Antiquity, to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Nektarios, one of the largest in the Balkan region, much awaits you when you come to the Saronic island of Aegina. In addition to maintaining her own website, Life Beyond Borders, she is also a guidebook updater for Rough Guides -- updating editions of Rough Guides to Greece and the Greek Islands, as well as Portugal. Aeginas smaller neighbor, Agistri is only 10 minutes from its big sister, and despite the fact its only 5 square miles and has just over 1,100 permanent residents spread out across its four villages, Agistri makes a perfect quiet island day trip. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences, and savor the journey. Once you get to Cape Sounio, its all sun and sand! Just promise to bring me back a few pieces of spanakopita and some of that sweet, sweet Aegean sunshine. She writes for a variety of travel media including the Telegraph newspaper and various inflight airline magazines including features in Ethiopian Airlines and hotel and restaurant reviews for easyJet. Its main pull is the upmarket harbor with several boutique shops and small hotels, plus a good selection of places to eat and drink. Before exploring the archaeological site, head into the Ancient Mycenae Museum for context. The huge Orthodox church of Agios Nektarios is a popular pilgrimage destination among both Greek and foreign visitors. From pebbly beaches one at the fishing village of Souvala in the north of the island with thermal hot springs that help rheumatic and dermatological problems to the 500 B.C. Book yourself a tour to. Imagine the lavish cities of the ancient Greek civilization and youve got Corinth, one of the most rewarding Athens day trips for history and culture lovers! How to get to Halkida:Halkida is an hours drive from Athens via the main motorway to Thessaloniki. Greece is home to several unique red and white wine varieties, with names Ive never heard anywhere else! Since youll have to move around quite a bit to fit everything in one day, I recommend taking a tour like. The Saronic Islands lie in the Aegean Sea, known as the Saronic Gulf, between Athens and the northeast coast of the Peloponnese. Most day cruises to the Saronic Islands leave from Marina Flisvos, a port just outside of Athens. Up for something a bit more active? Once youve experienced the best things to see and do in Athens and the best food to try, come with me as I explore the Saronic Islands and more to showcase the best island day trips for you. Proving Travel is Possible with a Full-Time 9-5. Youll board your ship and get sailing! Both will take you to the main sites in the Argolis area, but the first tour actually comes with an actual archaeologist as your guide, who can tell you all of the cool stories and theories surrounding these ruins. To say they are quite famous here is a massive understatement! Home to legendary Jason of the Argonauts, stealer of the Golden Fleece, the streets of Ancient Corinth were once trodden by the likes of Pausanias, Roman traveler, and St Paul, who taught the gospel of Christ here. If youre DIY-ing your trip, you can go hiking as well, provided you have enough time for that (hint, you probably wont with just one day from Athens). I wont go too far in depth about Aegina, (since its covered it in the other section), but basically, its home to one of the most famous temples in Greece: Youll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel in Athens. Here's our guide to the best free things to do in Athens. Lined with high-end resorts, Cape Sounio is a hotspot for vacationers looking for a break from Athens. Psst I like to join organized trips in order to leave the driving to someone else, especially when traveling solo. If youre interested in visiting both Delphi and Meteora (highly, highly recommended), you can combine the two into one 2-day tour instead of going back and forth on separate day tours from Athens (now thatd just be silly). The park is criss-crossed by hiking trails, with two large, full-featured hiking lodges. Both will take you to the main sites in the Argolis area, but the first tour actually comes with an actual archaeologist as your guide, who can tell you all of the cool stories and theories surrounding these ruins. Myths, history and spectacular mountains meet at Delphi just as in Greek mythology the two eagles released by Zeus met there, determining the Navel (or center) of the World. And if youre looking for some ancient monasteries to explore, calling your name. It's popular for mountain biking as well. Not only do you get to explore three beautiful islands off the coast of Athens for a whole day, but youll get ample time to spend reading, relaxing, and whatever you may please on the way.
Little did I know, pistachio trees have been cultivated on Aegina Island since the 1860s! Skala also has a clean, organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, making it a popular spot to hop off the ferry and spend the day relaxing before taking the evening ferry back to Athens. This cruise explores the nearby Saronic Islands, and is undoubtedly one of the most relaxing and adventurous day tours from Athens all in one. Take a bike tour around some of the beaches on the island (then relax later on). , Read Next: The Perfect 2-Day Athens Itinerary for the First Time Visitor. Lastly, we look at the Greek island of Kea. A mix of influences from the Middle East, Italy, Turkey and beyond, Greek cuisine is one of the richest in the world. Or, head to Arachova, the hilly little town with red-roofed homes thats one of the most beloved winter getaways from Athens because of its amazing ski resorts. Mt Parnitha, about 25km north of Athens, comprises a number of smaller peaks, the highest of which is Karavola (4636ft/1413m), tall enough to get snow in winter. Quite impressive if you ask me. You can head back to Athens early or end your day at Epidaurus, which is a massive, ancient theater near Nafplio. about the history and traditions of the area. Damn right, affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. ), You can get to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounio by bus fairly easily from Athens, which will give you the flexibility to travel at your own pace. But a number of other outstanding destinations are located within easy reach whether you travel by boat, public transport or with your own wheels. The Sanctuary of Apollo, built in the seventh century BCE, was a revered ancient oracle and home to Pythia, the priestess who mumbled her notoriously ambiguous answers on important or everyday matters to visitors from every walk of life. Please and thank you! Its famous for not allowing any motorized vehicles on the island except the fire and refuse trucks. Please and thank you! A world-class city, Athensis crammed with attractions and entertainment that can fill weeks of any visitors time. How to get to Hydra:Hydrofoils from the harbor of Piraeus take from onehour 40 minutes to twohours. Book 1 day tour to Meteora here. Total trip time is around onehour and 45 minutes. > how to make the most of it! width=750 height=500>. However, if youd rather have your transportation organized or go with a local driver/guide, you can, book this half-day sunset tour from Athens. But if youre not that into history, Delphi has plenty of other things you can do The surroundings are full of charming, adorable towns to explore! Within the modern village of Corinthia loom the extensive yet compact ruins of this ancient (mostly Roman) city. Of course, the monasteries are amazing, but its really the combination of the strange landscape and the man-made structures on top of it that make Meteora so special.
You can easily spend a whole day at either of these close-by destinations but if your schedule is tight, they both make perfect half-day trips. Who am I kidding, how could anyone get tired of island hopping in Greece?! For four centuries in the second millennium BC, this kingdom was the most powerful in Greece, holding sway over the Argolid and influencing other Mycenaean cities. The forest was badly burned in 2007 but has rebounded well. With so many islands to choose from, its often thought that to enjoy a Greek island experience one has to travel far from Athens by plane. The eclectic shopping scene in Athens has something for every taste, from flea markets to fashion boutiques to high-end homeware shops. Book tour hereor check out the additional options below: Quite possibly one of the most famous sites in Greece (and one of the most popular day trips from Athens), Meteora is an area home to isolated, ancient monasteries that sit atop the most eerie rock formations ever vertical columns that seem to spring out of nowhere! You can get to Meteora on your own by bus or train, or you can book a day trip like this one or this one. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Jess. On this day-long sailing adventure tour, youll travel to the islands of Agistri, Moni, and Aegina. Instead, follow along someone elses itinerary and just drink it all up and soak in that fresh Aegean air. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions.
17+ Incredible Things to do in Oia, Santorini: Iconic Blue Domes and Lots More! A show of traditional Greek singing and dancing is also found onboard, so be sure not to miss that! To say they are quite famous here is a massive understatement! Aegina is one of the most important and famous islands for Greek ruins and history (oh so much history everywhere in this country!). Pro Tip: Travel by car ferry (which operates every 15 minutes) from Perama on the mainland to Salamis. The Perfect 2-Day Athens Itinerary for the First Time Visitor, My (super-informative) Day Trip to Delphi, Sailing to the Saronic Islands from Athens. Walking and hiking along the old paths that cut across the island side to side past old chapels and small settlements is another popular activity, especially in the spring and fall when the weathers cooler. The picturesque island of Aegina gets packed with Athenians on summer weekends leoks / Shutterstock, The 9 best day trips from Athens for beaches, ruins and culture. I cant stress this enough if you dont have time to make it south to the popular islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Ios, and Crete ring a bell, correct? , you can try white wines like Assyrtiko, Malagousia, and Savatiano. These day tours from Athens are the perfect way to extend any Greece trip, and will surely add to your obsession with the country (it did for me). During a trip to Cape Sounio, you can lounge by the beach and frolic in the water, and also make a stop at the famed Temple of Poseidon, which is one of the most well-known temples in all of Greece. It also includes a local guide who can tell you all about the history of the places youre seeing (better than any guidebook or travel blog can, I promise! Why worry about driving, transportation, or logistics when you dont have to? Roaming Athens ancient streets is good, but free museums, markets and art are even better. ! Pro Tip: Both slow and fast ferries depart for Aegina almost every hour, and the journey time is between 30 minutes and one hour depending on which one you take. How to get to Delphi:Take the KTEL intercity bus from Athens Liosion station to Delphi. Plenty of elegant boutique hotels, tasteful shops and small restaurants hidden in narrow alleys make Nafplio a hugely popular destination for a day hop or a longer stay. From chic rooftop spots with breathtaking views of the city to old-school jazz haunts, here are the best bars and clubs in Athens. Next, youll head to Moni, an uninhabited nature island where youll eat lunch (seafood, anyone?!). In either place, you can stop at a locally-owned Greek taverna to sample traditional Greek dishes that will make your mouth water with joy. Im exhausted just thinking about that. The harbors been rebuilt to resemble the architecture of its heyday in the 1800s when it was ruled by the Venetians, and you dont need to have a vast knowledge of architecture to appreciate the uniqueness of the houses and mansions here.
Then, youll head to the former capital of Greece, Nafplio, where youll get to see the blend of Venetian, Greek, Ottoman, and Byzantine architecture and history.
Since youll be drinking alllll the wines and enjoying your life to the fullest (it is Greece afterall! Total trip time is about onehour one-way. You might also like:How to spend a perfect day in AthensAthens alfresco: street life in the Greek capitalA perfect day in Athens' port: a guide to Piraeus, This article was first published July 2, 2019 and updated December 15, 2021. Despite its small size (19 square miles), Poros offers several small sandy beaches to relax on, but if history is your thing, youll appreciate the smattering of churches across the island, many with ancient frescos and relics, the most visited being the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigis which also served as an orphanage to children born of men fighting the Greek Revolution of 1821. Here, you can find the famous Temple of Aphaia, which was an early rendition of the Parthenon. The tour starts in Piraeus, which is 9 miles/15 km from Athens. This cruise explores the nearby Saronic Islands, and is undoubtedly one of the most relaxing and adventurous day tours from Athens all in one. We've compiled a list to help guide you through one of our favorite destinations! You can DIY your trip or make it easier on yourself by booking this wonderful 2-day tour, which includes accommodation, all tours, and some meals. Outside the picturesque Aegina Town, the Temple of Aphaia, which is among the countrys top ancient sites, and the villages of Agia Marina and Perdika are also worth a visit. The easiest way to explore is on the path (about a 45-minute walk) through Tatoi, the 15-sq-mile grounds (40 sq kms) of the former summer palace (closed); follow Tatoi Rd out of Varibobi and look for a small trail sign on the right. You can get to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounio by bus fairly easily from Athens, which will give you the flexibility to travel at your own pace.
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