Lastly, we look at the Greek island of Kea. Ummyeah, basically nothing. Book 1 day tour to Meteora here. Copyright 2022, A Passion and A Passport. Instead, follow along someone elses itinerary and just drink it all up and soak in that fresh Aegean air. 17+ Incredible Things to do in Oia, Santorini: Iconic Blue Domes and Lots More! This is the canal that separates the Peloponnese Peninsula from the Greek mainland and is an incredibly picturesque spot, where the sparkling blue seawater juts between two vertical cliffs. A high-rise hotel in Athens has been ordered to demolish its top two floors following complaints the building was obstructing views of the Acropolis. Even though the temple is the main thing to see here, there are ruins that extend down the hill dont miss out on the chance to explore further! Book seaside winery tour here. 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. We start with Salamis, the nearest island to Athens at just 12 miles away from the small Port of Perama, very near the main Athenian Port of Piraeus. Delphi is on the way to Meteora, so youll save time and money by doing both in one trip. In the ninth century BCE Homer told in his epic poems, "Iliad" and "Odyssey," of "well-built Mycenae, rich in gold." , Read Next: The Perfect 2-Day Athens Itinerary for the First Time Visitor. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences, and savor the journey. Roaming Athens ancient streets is good, but free museums, markets and art are even better. Here, you can find the famous Temple of Aphaia, which was an early rendition of the Parthenon. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Its main pull is the upmarket harbor with several boutique shops and small hotels, plus a good selection of places to eat and drink. Your first stop is Agistri, which is best known for its beautiful beaches, and you betchall have time to get your tan on in the sparkling waters and golden sands of Megalochori and Skala. Just promise to bring me back a few pieces of spanakopita and some of that sweet, sweet Aegean sunshine. Due to its relaxed vibe and the fact its so aesthetically pleasing, Hydra has attracted many artists, both Greek and international the most famous being the late Leonard Cohen who bought a home there and penned Bird on a Wire.. If youre short on time, there is a One Day Cruise that allows you to take in three Greek islands Hydra, Poros, and Aegina in one day, and the price includes lunch on board plus Greek music. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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). 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. I know, they sound like amazing, faraway lands from some kind of storybook, but these are actual places that you can visit on a day trip to the Argolis area! For other common trails, see "Activities" on the park website, or contact EOS in Athens for current advice (the site is not well maintained). Please and thank you! Follow in their footsteps by visiting the Temple of Apollo, the Peribolos of Apollo, the ancient theater and other highlights. Fans of walking and hiking will enjoy the inland paths through archaeological ruins such as the Stone Lion, which, according to mythology, was sent down by the jealous gods to ravage the beauty of the island. There are also plenty of good, clean beaches nearby, as well as countless seaside restaurants where youll enjoy extremely fresh seafood, with far more variety than youll see in Athens. > By far a favorite day trip of mine! Nevertheless, its a pleasant seaside town worth visiting if only for a relaxing break from a hectic city-sightseeing itinerary and for a taste of Greek small-town life. , Ios, and Crete ring a bell, correct? All rights reserved. After spending about 2 days in Athens or so, itd be wise to get yourself outta the city! If youve never heard of these places, theyre home to some of the most impressive temples in Greece, like the Lionesses Gate and the Ancient Treasure of Atreus. Total travel time is about twohours and 10 minutes. Pro Tip: It takes a little longer to reach Poros 2.5 hours by slow ferry from Port of Piraeus in Athens, or via hydrofoil in roughly an hour. It is still used today occasionally, and if youre lucky, you may catch a festival or event going on there! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Jess. Learn the difference between Kolonaki and Koukaki, Psyrri and Gazi, in this tour of central Athens most visited districts. The fish market in Salamina, the islands chief city, is an interesting place to witness local life, whereas the local Archaeological Museum housed in a beautiful building that was the old elementary school showcases Salaminas historical past. 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). Instead, follow along someone elses itinerary and just drink it all up and soak in that fresh Aegean air. From here, buses depart to Ancient Corinth (20 minutes). The tour starts in Piraeus, which is 9 miles/15 km from Athens. The idyllic clifftop village on the slopes of Mt Parnassos, overlooking the endless olive groves that surround the sanctuary, is buzzing with taverns and souvenir shops catering to day trippers. Damn right, affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. A mix of influences from the Middle East, Italy, Turkey and beyond, Greek cuisine is one of the richest in the world. (straight from Athens), but you can also get to Delphi by bus or car if youd rather DIY your own trip. Its easiest to book a day tour like this one or this one (straight from Athens), but you can also get to Delphi by bus or car if youd rather DIY your own trip. Nature lovers will love it here as there are several rare plant species as well as wild birds and reptiles. If youre keen to explore more of the island, the beaches are served by a small bus service that regularly circles around. ), definitely check out a sailing trip or two from Athens. A trip to Aegina is the quickest way to find yourself on an island if youre staying in Athens. Book yourself a tour to Delphi, Corinth, or the famed Temple of Poseidon (all excellent choices). Always seek local advice before setting out. 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, which is reasonably priced and organizes everything for you (and lets you have a glimpse of the gorgeous sunsets I mentioned before!). Book sailing trip hereor check out the additional options below: Whats more dreamy or relaxing than sipping wine by the seaside? Next, youll head to Poros, which is a quieter island with isolated beaches and some historic buildings that are even visible from the water (!!!). And if youre looking for some ancient monasteries to explore, Meteorascalling your name. Book tour to Corinth hereor check out the additional options below: There are few things more relaxing than being by the seaside, and a day trip to Cape Sounio is no different. A cluster of smaller and lesser-known islands to the international tourist, theyre easily reached by ferry from the Port of Piraeus in sometimes less than an hour, making them perfect as a day trip or even weekend destination, and many Athenians have second homes there. This cruise explores the nearby Saronic Islands, and is undoubtedly one of the most relaxing and adventurous day tours from Athens all in one. For a sophisticated Greek island day trip, Hydra is definitely the one you should choose. Greeks and foreign tourists alike come to Aegina for day trips and weekend breaks and its lack of all-inclusive resorts makes it a popular destination for relaxing, sightseeing, and drinking a coffee along the waterfront. For good weather that will allow you to take advantage of the variety of things to do, spring and fall are good, too. 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. Here's where to sample it in Athens. Read our Privacy Policy. All Rights Reserved. , which is reasonably priced and organizes everything for you (and lets you have a glimpse of the gorgeous sunsets I mentioned before!). In my opinion, since Meteora is so far from Athens, its a LOT easier to book a tour so you dont have to worry about getting yourself there and back in one day. Her debut novel 'Girl Gone Greek' has been made into a film script, winning Best Feature Fiction Script at the 2018 London Greek Film Festival. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. 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. The Saronic Gulf island boasts a perfect combination of important ancient ruins, attractive sandy beaches, charming neoclassical architecture and local delicacies like the internationally-renowned local pistachio variety. The village of Chrisso is full of super cute cobblestoned streets to wander, with shops and small cafes you can duck into for a quick bite. Visit the Castles of Bourtzi and Palamidi in Nafplio, which are two really beautiful examples of the different, unique architecture in the area. On this day-long sailing adventure tour, youll travel to the islands of Agistri, Moni, and Aegina. Little did I know, pistachio trees have been cultivated on Aegina Island since the 1860s! It's popular for mountain biking as well. Most day cruises to the Saronic Islands leave from Marina Flisvos, a port just outside of Athens. Its one of the most interesting landmarks, and located ~4 kilometers east of the city. 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. Quite impressive if you ask me. The excellent on-site museum puts everything into context. Required fields are marked *. , the guide will take you to a dedicated swimming spot where you can watch the sunset (swoooooon x 23436234). Its walls climb in zig-zags up a hill and measure almost 2 kilometers in length! , which includes accommodation, all tours, and some meals. Tour begins at Marina Flisvus, 6 miles/10 km from Athens, Anything seafood-related! How to get to Mt Parnitha National Park: Take the Metro's Green line north to Nea Ionia, then take bus 724 to Thrakomakednes. Pro Tip: To get to Kea/Tzia, you take a one-hour ferry from the Port of Lavrion, located just over an hour from the center of Athens. Further south is the posh resort of Porto Heli, where Greek and international jetsetters own luxurious villas and mansions. The Saronic Islands lie in the Aegean Sea, known as the Saronic Gulf, between Athens and the northeast coast of the Peloponnese. The islands are known for their amazing fish dishes. Pro Tip: The high-speed ferry from Piraeus takes about 3 hours and about five ferries run each day. You can head back to Athens early or end your day at Epidaurus, which is a massive, ancient theater near Nafplio. 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.
best island day trips from athens