Greece offers a captivating blend of ancient history, stunning islands, and Mediterranean culture. From the iconic Acropolis in Athens to the whitewashed villages of Santorini, this sun-soaked destination combines archaeological wonders with pristine beaches and world-class cuisine.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Delphi
Delphi was ancient Greece's most important oracle site, where the Pythia delivered prophecies believed to come from Apollo. The archaeological site climbs the slope of Mount Parnassus with the Temple of Apollo, the theatre, and the stadium arranged above a gorge that drops toward the Gulf of Corinth. The museum holds finds from the sanctuary, including the bronze Charioteer. It's a full day out from Athens given the distance, but the setting and the density of surviving structures make it worth the drive.
Highlights: Oracle of Delphi sanctuary where Ancient Greeks sought prophecy · Treasury of the Athenians · Ancient Theater with panoramic mountain views · Delphi Archaeological Museum with Charioteer of Delphi bronze
Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion sits at the southern tip of Attica, where the Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff above the Aegean. The columns are what's left of a 5th-century BC temple built during the same building program as the Parthenon. It's a shorter, easier trip than Delphi or the Peloponnese, which makes it a good half-day or sunset option rather than a full day. Byron carved his name into one of the columns, and the site is still known as a sunset viewpoint.
Highlights: Temple of Poseidon dramatically perched on cliff above Aegean Sea · Lord Byron's name carved in a column · Sunset views that rival Santorini at fraction of the cost · Coastal drive through Vouliagmeni and Varkiza
Ancient Corinth & Corinth Canal
This trip combines two very different things: the Corinth Canal, a 19th-century engineering project cut through solid rock connecting the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf, and Ancient Corinth, a wealthy Roman-era city with a well-preserved Temple of Apollo and the Acrocorinth fortress rising above it. The canal is a quick stop - you look down into a narrow, steep-walled cut - while Ancient Corinth is where you'll spend the bulk of the day. It's an easy, relatively short drive from Athens and pairs well as a stop on the way to Nafplio or the rest of the Peloponnese.
Highlights: Corinth Canal - engineering marvel cutting through 79m limestone · Ancient Corinth archaeological site and museum · Acrocorinth fortress with sweeping views of two seas · Bungee jumping from Corinth Canal bridge (89 euros)
Nafplio (Nafplion)
Nafplio is a former capital of modern Greece, set on a small harbor in the Peloponnese with a Venetian old town, two fortresses, and a small fortified islet in the bay. It's a place to walk rather than tick off a checklist of sights - narrow streets, neoclassical buildings, and waterfront cafes give it a different pace than the ancient sites elsewhere in the Peloponnese. The Palamidi fortress above the town and the islet fortress of Bourtzi in the harbor are the two dominant landmarks.
Highlights: Bourtzi Castle in the harbor - accessible by small boat · Palamidi Fortress (999 steps) with panoramic Argolic Gulf views · Elegant neoclassical old town - Greece's first capital · Proximity to Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Tiryns archaeological sites
Hydra Island
Hydra has no cars - the only transport on the island is on foot, by donkey, or by water taxi, which gives it a different feel from other day-trip islands near Athens. Stone mansions built by 18th- and 19th-century shipping merchants line the harbor and climb the hillsides behind it. It's reached by hydrofoil rather than a slower ferry, which keeps the travel time down enough to make it workable as a day trip. The appeal is the harbor town itself and the coastline beyond it rather than any single monument.
Highlights: No cars or motorbikes allowed - donkeys and water taxis only · Picturesque harbor with 18th-century stone mansions · Crystal-clear swimming coves accessible by water taxi · Art galleries, boutiques, and excellent seafood restaurants · Leonard Cohen's former villa
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organised day tours from Athens to Delphi, Mycenae/Nafplio, Cape Sounion from €45-70 per person including transport and guide
- Private
- Car hire from €35/day at Athens Airport (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar). Best for Peloponnese exploration where KTEL schedules are infrequent.
- Public
- KTEL intercity buses serve all major day-trip destinations from Athens' two terminal stations (Terminal A for Peloponnese/Delphi, Terminal B for northern Greece)
- Rental
- Car rental from €35-60/day; useful for the Peloponnese where Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, and Olympia can be combined in 2 days
Multi-day tours from Greece
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
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Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Take the first KTEL departure (often 7-7:30AM) to reach archaeological sites before tour groups and before the midday heat
Delphi and Mycenae are best combined with an overnight stay in Nafplio or Delphi town to fully appreciate both sites without rushing
The hydrofoil to Hydra (1hr 40min) departs from Piraeus Gate E8-9 - take Metro Line 1 from Athens centre (Monastiraki to Piraeus, 20 minutes)