The Best Day Trips from Athens: 8 Private Tour Ideas

Athens is a great base. Within a few hours’ drive you can stand where the Oracle spoke, watch the sun set over Poseidon’s temple or climb to monasteries built on top of rock pillars. These are the day trips our guests love most, with honest notes on how long each one takes.

1. Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

The coastal road south passes Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, with the Saronic Gulf on your right the whole way. At the end stands the 5th-century BC Temple of Poseidon, high on a cliff over the sea. Go in the late afternoon for one of the best sunsets in Greece. It is easy to pair with an Athens city tour. See our Cape Sounion half day tour or the Athens and Cape Sounion tour.

2. Marathon and Rhamnus

The road from the Panathenaic Stadium to Marathon covers the original 42.195 km of the marathon race. You visit the battlefield of 490 BC, the Tomb of Marathon and the local museums. Then continue to Rhamnus and the Temples of Nemesis and Themis. A short, quiet trip, perfect for a half day. See our Marathon and Rhamnus half day tour.

3. Corinth and the Nemea wine roads

Nemea is one of Greece’s best-known wine regions, famous for the Agiorgitiko grape. Stop at the Corinth Canal, then taste local wines at a winery among the vineyards. A relaxed day for anyone who loves food and wine. See our Corinth and Nemea wine roads tour.

4. Corinth Canal and Nafplio

The Corinth Canal, completed in 1893, is 6.4 km long and only 21.4 m wide. After the photo stop, continue to Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. Walk the old town, see the Bourtzi fortress in the harbour and the Venetian Palamidi castle above it. See our Corinth Canal and Nafplio tour.

5. Argolis: Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio

This is ancient Greece in one day. See the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth, where Saint Paul preached. Then walk through the Lion Gate at Mycenae and test the famous acoustics of the theatre at Epidaurus. Finish in Nafplio. See our Argolis day trip.

6. Delphi

The ancient Greeks called Delphi the “navel of the world”. The road passes Thebes and Livadia and climbs to the mountain village of Arachova. At the site you see the Temple of Apollo, the Castalian Spring and the museum with the bronze Charioteer. Lunch in Delphi village comes with a view over the olive groves down to the sea. See our Delphi day trip.

7. Ancient Olympia

The birthplace of the Olympic Games is a long but rewarding day. Stop at the Corinth Canal on the way, then walk through the ancient stadium, the Temple of Zeus and the archaeological museum. Leave early in the morning. See our Olympia day tour.

8. Meteora and Thermopylae

Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with monasteries on top of giant rock pillars. On the way you stop at Thermopylae, where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans made their stand. It is a long day, so if you have time, our Delphi and Meteora 2-day tour is more relaxed. See our Meteora in a day tour.

Why go with a private driver

A private day trip runs on your schedule. You choose the start time, stay longer where you like and skip what does not interest you. Our Mercedes vehicles are air-conditioned and smoke-free, prices are per car rather than per person, VAT is included, and you can cancel up to 48 hours before your trip. A licensed guide can join you at the sites.

Not sure which trip suits you? Tell us your dates and interests and we will suggest the best plan.