Most visitors on their Greece Vacation tend to spend at least a few days in the nation’s capital city of Athens.
Some of the most popular Greece attractions are easily reachable by one of the many day tours from Athens.
In this post, I cover some of the best day trips from Athens, including single-day classical Greece tours, Athens to Delphi tours, Athens to Meteora, as well as some great multi-day tours.
1. Athens to Delphi Tour – Delphi Day Trip
During this Delphi day trip from Athens, you will visit the site of the Oracle, the ancient ruins of the Temple of Apollo, and the Amphitheater, where you can also enjoy speculator views of the surrounding mountains.
Visit the Delphi Museum, where you can get a deeper understanding of Greek culture and history and see the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx, and the Statue of Antinoos.
During this Athens to Delphi tour, you will also visit Athena Pronaia Sanctuary, the most photographed spot in Delphi.
On the way back to Athens, you will make a short photo stop at the beautiful mountain village of Arachova, which is situated on the hills of the Parnassus Mountains.
This Athens to Delphi bus tour includes all entrance fees, air-conditioned bus transfer, lunch, and free Wi-Fi connection.
Click here to check the current price of this Athens to Delphi tour to make a booking.
2. Cape Sounio Half Day Sunset Tour
This is a 5 hour Day Trips From Athens to the Temple of Poseidon. Along the way, you will enjoy fantastic views of idyllic beaches and small villages.
When you reach the ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, you learn about its history and have some time to relax and take in the views over the Aegean Sea.
You will also make a stop at Cape Sounio for the chance to swim. Cape Sounio is best known for its spectacular sunsets and blue flag beaches.
Included in this 5 hour day trip from Athens is an air-conditioned bus, tour guide, pick up and drop off to the hotel, and local taxes.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
3. Full Day Cruise to Aegina, Hydra, and Poros from Athens
Onboard the luxurious and spacious “Cosmos” cruise vessel set sail for a day of sightseeing on the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.
First up, you will visit the island of Hydra. Things to do in Hydra include exploring its cobblestone alleys and unique architecture and see the donkeys that still provide public transportation.
You have the option of taking a walking tour of the town to see historical landmarks and traditional houses.
On to Poros Island, which is full of green pine forests and scented lemon groves. Things to do in Poros include exploring the island’s tranquil beaches.
The last island is Aegina, known for its pistachio groves and beautiful beaches. Things to do in Aegina include taking the optional bus trip to the majestic Temple of Aphaea and the Byzantine monastery of Agios Nektarios.
Included in this 3 island day cruise from Athens is a Mediterranean buffet-style lunch onboard the Cosmos and live music and entertainment and round transfers from certain Athens hotels to the port.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
4. Half Day Ancient Athens to Corinth Tour
On this Athens to Corinth half-day tour, you will visit the ancient town of Corinth, as well explore what remains of the city, including the agora (marketplace) and Temple of Apollo (6th-century BC).
There is also a short stop at the site of the ancient Port of Cehrees.
This half-day Athens Corinth tour includes entrance fees, guide, transport in an air-conditioned bus, and pick and drop off to most Athens hotels.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
5. Full Day Athens to Meteora Day Trip
This Athens to Meteora train day trip commences with you making your own way from Athens to Kalambaka. The train leaves Athens at 8.20 am and arrives in Kalambaka at 1.30 PM, where you will commence your guided tour.
During your tour, you will visit all of the 6 monasteries of the Meteora rock formations as well as have the opportunity to go into 1 or 2 of these UNESCO World Heritage monuments whilst learning about the history from your local guide.
You will then end the day trip by returning to the Kalambaka train station and returning to Athens around 10.30 pm.
Included in the tour are round-trip train tickets from Athens to Kalambaka, a local guide, pick-up, drop-off at Kalambaka Train Station, bottled water, free Wi-Fi on the bus, free panoramic Meteora map, and all taxes.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
6. Full Day Athens to Mycenae and Epidaurus Trip
During this Athens to Mycenae and Epidaurus day trip, you will have the opportunity to explore the hugely important cities during the Bronze Age of ancient Greece.
In Mycenae, you will visit the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. You will then make a short stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi.
Lastly, you will visit the city of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage-listed ancient theatre, which is also believed to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios.
Included in the tour are bus transfers, a guide, entrance fees, lunch (if prepaid), free Wifi on the tour coach, and a free map of Athens and Greece.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
7. Half Day Catamaran Sailing Cruise via Athens Riviera
For sure, you want to experience a luxury all-inclusive cruise to Catamaran. On this Athens cruise, you will be amazed by the fascinating Athens Riviera.
Some of the tour highlights are luxurious sailing across Athens coastline, a Greek Family style meal, historical recounts about Athens, and an opportunity to swim, snorkel and sunbathe in Saronic Gulf.
This is one of Athens’s most pleasurable day trips that offer Greek wine, refreshing beverages, beer, snorkeling gear, towel, pick up the transfer, and barbecue meal aboard this vessel.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
8. Full Day Saronic Islands Cruise from Athens
Onboard a luxurious cruise ship, set sail for a day of sightseeing on Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.
First up, you will visit Poros Island, the smallest island of the 3 islands you visit during the day tour.
Poros Island is full of green pine forests and scented lemon groves, with things to do in Poros, including exploring the island’s tranquil beaches.
Before heading to the next island, you will enjoy a delicious lunch as the ship sail towards Hydra.
As you sail into Hydra, you’ll enjoy dramatic landscape views of this island. Things to do in Hydra include exploring its cobblestone alleys and unique architecture and see the donkeys that still provide public transportation.
Walk along the old seaside promenade and stopping at some of the small shops along the way.
When you return to the ship, you will be served yet again more delicious Greek food and enjoy Greek music as you sail onto the last island being Aegina.
Aegina is known for its pistachio groves and beautiful beaches. Things to do in Aegina include taking the optional bus trip to the majestic Temple of Aphaea and the Byzantine monastery of Agios Nektarios.
On the way home to Athens you will enjoy a Greek folk show with singers and dancers in traditional costumes.
Included in this 3 island day cruise from Athens are lunch, hotel/port pick-up and drop-off (if option selected), sightseeing cruise, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
9. Private Marathon Trip from Athens
This is a private guided tour of the city of Marathon.
The first stop during your Marathon day tour is the Marathon Tomb, also known as the Tomb of the Athenians.
This burial mound is the final resting place of 192 soldiers who died in the Battle of Marathon.
You will learn about this bloody battle and how those who fell were cremated and buried in this tomb as a reminder of their sacrifice and bravery.
You will then visit the site where the marathon race originated. You will learn the legend of the soldier who ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated before he collapsed and died.
The next stop of the day is Lake Marathon. Here you can walk toward Marathon Dam, which is entirely paneled in pristine white marble; it is the world’s only marble dam.
Included in this tour from Athens are hotel pick-up and drop-off, private guide, driver, and all entrance fees.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
The Best 2- to 4-Day Tours in Athens
If you are up for 2 to 4 days of Athens tour, these are some of the perfect tours you can join in:
1. Athens to Meteora 2-Day Tour via Train
If 1 day is not long enough for you to explore Meteora, I suggest this 2 day Athens to Meteora trip.
Like the 1-day trip, you will make your own way to Kalambaka via train, where you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Later you will then be picked up for the Majestic Sunset Meteora Tour.
The following morning you can choose between the Panoramic Morning Meteora Tour or the Hiking Meteora Tour. During these tours, you will have the chance to experience all the beauty of the Meteora and the holy monasteries on top of the rock giants.
You will then be escorted back to your hotel and later to the Kalambaka train station, where you will return to Athens.
Included in this tour is round trip train tickets, overnight accommodation in 3 or 4-star hotel, Majestic sunset on Meteora Rocks Tour (First day), Panoramic Morning Meteora & Monasteries Tour (2nd day) or Hiking Meteora Tour (2nd day), guide, transfers, hotel pick-up/drop-off, bottled water, free Wi-Fi on the bus, free panoramic Meteora map, all taxes and courtesy pick-up from Kalabaka Train Station upon arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
2. Athens to Delphi and Meteora 2-Day Tour
If you want to visit both Delphi and Meteora, why not consider the 2 day trip from Athens to both cities.
On the first day, you will visit the archaeological site of Delphi, including the temple of Apollo.
After the visit, you will leave for Kalambaka, passing through central Greece’s picturesque villages and towns. You will spend the night in Kalambaka.
On your second day, you will visit Meteora and explore the impressive monasteries.
On your return to Athens, you will stop in Thermopylae to see Leonida’s Monument before arriving in Athens in the early evening.
Included in this tour are transfers by air-conditioned coach, guide, all entry fees, free WiFi on the bus, overnight hotel accommodation, some meals, and pick-up from central hotels in Athens.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
3. 4-Day Classical Greece Tour
This 4 days classical Greece tour will take you to see all the main Greece Attractions close to Athens. Your 4 day Greece vacation itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Drive to Epidaurus, and pay a visit to the archaeological site and theatre. Continue for a short stop in Nauplia. Next, drive to Mycenae, where you will visit the historical, archaeological site.
Leave for Olympia, passing through the central Peloponnese area and the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. You will spend the night in Olympia, or there is the possibility of staying in Nauplia instead.
Day 2: First up, visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia.
Drive cross the channel to Antirion on the state-of-the-art suspension bridge, the longest and most modern Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos, then continue to Delphi, where you will spend the night.
Day 3: In the morning, you will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. After Delphi, leave for Kalambaka, passing through Amphissa, Lamia, and Trikala. You will spend the night in Kalambaka.
Day 4: In the morning, visit the Meteora, after which you will drive back to Athens, passing via Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla.
This tour includes bus transfers, a guide, all entrance fees, 3 nights accommodation with diner and breakfast, free WiFi connection on the bus, free WiFi connection in the hotels, and free Map of Athens and Greece.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
4. 3-Day Tour to Ancient Greek Archaeological Sites from Athens
This 3-day tour takes you to the most important archaeological sites of classical Greece.
You will visit the tomb of Agamemnon in Mycenae, the Temple of Apollo and Oracle at Delphi, and the altar of the Olympic flame at Olympia as well as make shortstops in the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis, drive past the mighty Corinth Canal, and see the charming harbor town of Nafpaktos.
Your 3-day itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Leave Athens and visit the Corinth Canal on the Saronic Gulf. You will then continue to Epidaurus to tour the ancient theater, world-famous for its outstanding acoustics.
Then arrive in Mycenae, where you will explore the ruins of the citadel and the Tomb of Agamemnon.
You will spend the night in Olympia, traveling via the cities of Tripolis and Megalopolis, where you will make shortstops.
Day 2: Visit the archaeological remains of Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games.
You can explore the Doric columns of the Temples of Zeus and Hera, see the remains of the Stadium, go to the altar of the Olympic flame and visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.
Next, you will go to Rion and cross the Corinthian Bay via the new bridge to Antirion. It is a lovely drive along the coastal road to Delphi, passing the small harbor city of Nafpaktos.
In the afternoon, visit the mountain village of Arachova before spending the night in Delphi.
Day 3: Tour the archaeological site of Delphi, perched high on the Parnassus Mountains.
You will visit the temple dedicated to Apollo, learn about the great Oracle of Delphi, visit the theater, enjoy views of the Parnassus Mountains and valley from the top of the hill, and explore the Archaeological Museum.
In the afternoon, you will return to Athens via Parnassus and the Valley of Phocis.
This tour includes accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel (depending on the selected option), all entrance fees, transfers by air-conditioned bus, and breakfast and dinner.
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
5. The Best 11-Day Tour to Athens, Cairo, and Istanbul
This 11-day tour takes you to some of the best attractions in Athens, Istanbul, and Cairo. You will visit the ancient city of Delphi, sail around the Greek Islands, explore the bazaars of Istanbul and marvel at the Pyramids of Egypt.
Your 11-day itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Your guide will meet you at the airport in Athens and take you to your hotel. Spend the day at your leisure and spend the evening in the Plaka district.
Day 2: Your guide will take you on a half-day city tour of Athens.
Day 3: Visit the town of Thebes before continuing to Delphi for a guided tour.
Day 4: Cruise the Greek Islands and visit Poros, Kydra, and Aegina in the Saronic Gulf.
Day 5: Fly to Turkey and spend the night in Istanbul.
Day 6: Take a guided tour of old Istanbul.
Day 7: Take a guided tour of the Bosphorus and the surrounding markets, including the Egyptian Bazaar.
Day 8: Fly to Cairo and spend the day as you please.
Day 9: Explore the iconic Pyramids of Giza at your leisure.
Day 10: Explore Cairo as you please, perhaps go shopping or take an excursion to visit a Museum or Mosque.
Day 11: End of Tour – return to Cairo Airport for departure.
Included in this tour is
- Arrival airport transfer from Athens to your hotel
- Accommodation in a double room with Breakfast in Athens
- Guided Half Day Athens Tour
- Guided Delphi Tour with lunch
- Daily Cruise Tour with Lunch
- 2 Nights in Istanbul
- 2 Open Buffet breakfasts
- Guided Istanbul City Tour
- Return transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
- 3 Nights hotel with breakfast and dinner in Cairo
- Guided half day tour to the Pyramids and Sphinx
- Professional English speaking Guides
- Return transfer to Cairo International Airport
Click here to check the current price of this day tour or to make a booking.
Do you want to see more of what Greece has to offer?
Thessaloniki, for example, the second-largest city in Greece, is a fantastic place to visit if you are interested in a mix of culture, nightlife, and food. The two cities are well connected, and there are four different ways to get from Athens to Thessaloniki.
If you first want to explore Athens a bit more, then you should read this article about where to get lost in Athens.
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Tim Kroeger, founder of Universal Traveller, leverages extensive experience in luxury travel and tourism to offer firsthand insights into emerging hospitality trends.
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