Monasteries perched on impossible rock pillars, rising from the Thessalian plain like something from a fantasy novel. Meteora is unlike anywhere else on Earth — and yes, you can visit from Athens in a day.
But should you? Here’s the honest truth about Meteora day trips from Athens.
The Honest Assessment # Distance: 350 km (220 miles) from Athens Driving time: 4-4.5 hours each way Total day: 12-14 hours
The ancient Greeks believed Delphi was the center of the world. Home to the legendary Oracle of Apollo, this mountainside sanctuary was the most sacred site in ancient Greece.
Today, Delphi remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country — and one of the most worthwhile day trips from Athens.
Here’s everything you need to know about Delphi tours from Athens.
Quick Comparison # Tour Type Duration Price Best For Standard Group Tour 10-11 hours €80-95 Most travelers Small Group (max 8) 10-11 hours €110-130 Better experience Private Tour 10-12 hours €300-450 Families, VIPs Delphi + Meteora (2 days) 2 days €250-350 Maximum sightseeing DIY by Bus 10-12 hours ~€40 Budget travelers Our Top Pick: Small Group Delphi Tour # Delphi Small Group Tour with Lunch ★ 4.9 (4,560 reviews) Experience Delphi with a maximum of 8 travelers. Licensed archaeologist guide, skip-the-line entry, lunch at a traditional Arachova taverna, and stops at scenic viewpoints. The best balance of value and experience.
Greece has been making wine for over 6,500 years — longer than anywhere else in Europe. Yet most visitors stick to ouzo and beer, never discovering the incredible wines just an hour from Athens.
Whether you want an intimate urban tasting or a full-day vineyard escape, here are the best Athens wine tasting experiences for 2026.
Quick Comparison # Experience Duration Wines Tasted Price Best For Urban Wine Bar Tasting 2 hours 5-7 wines €45 Short on time Nemea Vineyard Tour 8 hours 8-10 wines €95 Day trip lovers Wine & Food Pairing 3 hours 5 wines + meal €75 Foodies Athens Riviera Winery 4 hours 6-8 wines €85 Coastal views Private Sommelier Tour 3 hours 7-9 wines €120 Couples, special occasions Our Top Pick: Nemea Wine Region Day Trip # Nemea Wine Tasting Day Trip with Lunch ★ 4.9 (1,240 reviews) The best way to experience Greek wine. Visit 2-3 family-owned wineries in the legendary Nemea region, taste award-winning Agiorgitiko reds, and enjoy a traditional Greek lunch with vineyard views. Hotel pickup included.
There’s something magical about watching the sun sink into the Aegean Sea while sipping wine on a boat deck. An Athens sunset cruise turns an ordinary evening into an unforgettable experience.
Here are the best sunset cruises from Athens for 2026, from intimate sailboats to party catamarans.
Quick Comparison # Cruise Duration Capacity Price Best For Classic Sailboat 4 hours 8-12 €75 Couples, romantics Catamaran Cruise 5 hours 20-40 €65 Groups, social travelers Luxury Yacht 4 hours 10 max €150 Special occasions Dinner Cruise 3 hours 50-100 €89 Foodies Private Charter 4 hours Up to 8 €450+ Families, celebrations Our Top Pick: Small Sailboat Sunset Cruise # Athens Riviera Sunset Sailing with Dinner & Wine ★ 4.9 (2,180 reviews) Sail along the stunning Athens coastline on a traditional yacht. Includes swimming stop, Greek dinner on board, unlimited wine and soft drinks, and breathtaking sunset views. Max 12 guests for an intimate experience.
Hop-on hop-off buses are a staple in every tourist city. But is the Athens hop-on hop-off bus actually worth it, or should you just walk and use the metro?
Here’s an honest assessment.
Quick Verdict # Situation Recommendation First time, limited mobility Worth it First time, can walk well Skip it — Athens is walkable Visiting in extreme heat Consider it (AC break) Want to reach Piraeus Worth it for that route Just want to see the main sites Skip it — walk instead Our take: For most visitors, the hop-on hop-off bus is not necessary in Athens. The city center is compact and walkable, and the metro gets you anywhere the bus goes. But it has specific use cases.
The Acropolis is the #1 attraction in Athens — and the lines can be brutal, especially in summer. A good tour saves you time, skips the crowds, and brings ancient history to life with expert commentary.
After researching dozens of options, here are the 7 best Acropolis tours for 2026, from budget-friendly skip-the-line tickets to premium small-group experiences.
Quick Comparison # Tour Duration Group Size Price Best For Skip-the-Line Ticket Self-paced N/A €20 Budget travelers Guided Walking Tour 2 hours 15-20 €45 First-time visitors Small Group Tour 2.5 hours 8 max €65 Better experience Acropolis + Museum Combo 4 hours 12 max €89 History lovers Private Tour 3 hours 1-4 €180+ Families, VIPs Our Top Pick: Small Group Guided Tour # Acropolis Small Group Tour with Skip-the-Line ★ 4.9 (3,240 reviews) The best balance of value and experience. Maximum 8 people, licensed archaeologist guide, early morning departure to beat crowds. Includes skip-the-line entry.
Athens is incredible, but Greece’s real magic often lies beyond the capital. Within a few hours, you can explore ancient oracle sites, clifftop monasteries, idyllic islands, and medieval villages.
Here are the best day trips from Athens — organized by how far you’re willing to travel.
Quick Overview # Destination Distance Travel Time Best For Cape Sounion 70 km 1 hour Sunset, temple Delphi 180 km 2.5 hours History, culture Meteora 350 km 4 hours Monasteries, views Hydra 65 km (ferry) 2 hours Island escape Aegina 27 km (ferry) 1 hour Quick island trip Nafplio 140 km 2 hours Charming town Mycenae 120 km 1.5 hours Ancient ruins Epidaurus 130 km 2 hours Ancient theater Within 2 Hours of Athens # 1. Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon # The most accessible day trip from Athens — and one of the most stunning, especially at sunset.