There’s a lot to see in the Greek capital, both ancient and modern. If you’re visiting the area, here are some exciting things you can do in the wider region if you are looking for day trips from Athens.
Delphi
Halfway up Mount Parnassus lies the extraordinary archaeological site of Delphi, now a World Heritage Site. Here you’ll find the remains of temples to the god Apollo and the goddess Athena Pronaia. Apollo’s sanctuary was also where the legendary oracle of Delphi was sited in ancient times.
Also on the site are a number of buildings constructed for sporting purposes. Delphi once hosted the Pythian Games, second in importance behind the Olympics in the ancient Greek sporting calendar.
The ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was ‘the centre of the world’. The temples date from the 7th century BC, but there is evidence of the site being occupied as many as 900 years prior to that.
Today, you can explore the remains of the temples and other buildings and visit the Delphi Archaeological Museum to learn more about the site.
This place, also a World Heritage Site, was one of the major military strongholds of ancient Greece. Today, there’s a remarkable variety of different buildings that you can visit.
You’ll probably enter the site via the Lion Gate, where two imposing lion statues guard what was the entrance to the citadel. Then there are the enormous Grave Circles, where royal burials took place. Right at the top of the site is the Palace of Mycenae, and don’t miss The Treasure of Atreus. This is an architectural triumph of a building that really does demonstrate how advanced the Greek civilisation was.
There’s also the Mycenae Museum to visit to find out more – many artefacts recovered from the site are displayed here.
Aegina
The island of Aegina is a location where the ancient and modern worlds collide. To get here for your day trips from Athens, you take the ferry from the port suburb of Piraeus. Then, you can either relax on the beach or visit the ruins of the Temple of Aphaea. Be sure to drop in at the Archaeological Museum to see some of the amazing things found on the island. Also, the boat tour that also takes in the neighbouring islands of Hydra and Poros is highly recommended.
Aegina Town is also an architectural gem from a different era, in this case, the 18th century. Imposing neoclassical buildings and narrow streets characterise this town. Here there are many independent shops, tavernas, cafes and restaurants to visit. Vatzoulias is perhaps the restaurant locals would recommend most highly.
Epidaurus
Epidaurus is home to a 14,000-capacity open-air theatre, one of the most impressive structures of ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks clearly knew about acoustics when constructing the theatre, as you’ll find out if you attend a modern-day play at the theatre and hear the crystal-clear tones of the actors.
When you’re here for your fun planned day trips from Athens, be sure to visit the Temple of Asklepios. One of the most prominent healing centres in Greek civilisation and a stunning example of Hellenic architecture. People would come here to visit the baths or the gymnasium, or simply to wait for the healing god Asklepios to visit them in their sleep and cure their ills. The site is also home to what is believed to be the world’s earliest sanatorium. Evidencing a subsequent shift to the science of medicine once belief in the healing powers of the gods diminished in later centuries, so it can be said that Epidaurus was the birthplace of modern medicine.
Nafplio
In the Peloponnese region, you’ll find this perfect example of an old-world Greek village, which was the first capital of the modern Greek state between 1823 and 1834. Highlights include the Boúrtzi castle, which dates from the 15th century; and Palamídhi, from around 300 years later, which claims to be the best-preserved fortress in Greece. The view from the top of Palamidhi is also incredible, and you can either walk up the hundreds of steps or go up by hire car or taxi.
The Archaeological Museum houses an interesting collection of artefacts, but the building itself is well worth seeing when ticking off our “day trips from Athens” list. It’s a fine example of Venetian architecture.
The cobbled streets and squares of the village are home to some great tavernas, such as Pseiras, located at the foot of the Palamidhi. You can also relax on the long sandy beach. Nafplio claims to be nothing less than the most romantic place in Greece.
Cape Sounion
Cape Sounion is a peninsula around 50 miles to the south-east of Athens. Many people come here for the beaches, but it’s also home to the amazing white marble temple to the sea god Poseidon, which dates from the 5th century BC and is one of the finest examples of Doric architecture.
All in all, Athens offers plenty to do, as a beautiful, cultural and historic capital. Remember, to ensure you make the most of your stay in Greece, be sure to browse our serviced apartments in Athens. They offer the utmost comfort and a ‘home away from home’ feel whilst you are away from yours.