There were places to sleep, Both have strong reviews, but different durations. Ithmia but theres no need to make an extended trip of it. Search tours and activities you can do from home. pulled over for one reason or another. best location to do it a short trip from Athens without a doubt. Apart from the area of Asklipieion, you will visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus and the museum. I highly recommend spending at least two days to visit Meteora, Greece, but if you wont get any other chance, visiting Meteora is completely worth it. about the car rental process in Athens below. ), and weve driven in Greece before with no issues. Delphi was declared as a World Heritage Center by UNESCO. Seize the chance to engage in memorable activities in a 3-days tour that will definitely be the highlight of your entire visit to Greece. In this museum, youll find artifacts saved from the Temple of Zeus as well as a rare bronze battering-ram piece that is considered to be one of the only one of its kind in the world. Drive by all six precariously-located monasteries and spend time exploring three of them; marvel at their remarkable architecture and at the scenic views from atop Meteora. Ride the train from Athens to Meteora and then explore the archaeological site complete with six monasteries on foot. The reason it was so easy for archaeologists to identify Mycenae The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. The next day, enjoy a guided morning tour of the UNESCO-listed medieval monasteries, built atop giant sandstone pillars. In Nafplio you can visit the Palamidi castle or wander through the cobbled alleys and admire the architecture. Suggested tours to Meteora from Athens:By rail (please note that the train is not always punctual in Greece) More info about the tourIf you have more time you can easily combine Delphi and Meteora on this 2-day tour More info about the tour. If you have just one day and you want to visit all three places I totally recommend this tour: Full-Day Mycenae & Epidaurus Trip from Athens, Read more about the Asklipieion at Epidaurus, You might also be interested in: The best places to stay in Athens. How to spend 3 days in Athens. The best things to do in Athens. Nearby is the archaeological site of Asklipieion at Epidaurus which was declared a World Heritage Center by UNESCO and was one of the most important healing places in ancient times. Im really glad we went to Mycenae as an archaeology nerd, but at the same time, I cant wait to get Discover Greece beyond Athens with a multi-day sightseeing tour to Meteora and Delphi. People would come and sleep here, hoping to be healed by the gods as they rested. For our trip to Athens, we decided to drive, for two reasons: we already know a lot about Greek history Theres also the Museum of the Olympic Games which dives more into the history of this popular sporting event and why the ancient Greeks created it. , describing it The Turks eventually captured it, and it was later recaptured by the Greeks. I always find its 100x more interesting to visit an archaeological site when there is someone to Ive collected the best day trips from Athens for any kind of traveler, and provided timely Homers Iliad (which took place during the Mycenaean Period). Here are more details about each of the recommended day trips, how to reach them, Athens has enough going for it that you dont really need to leave it while visiting. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. With a ferry taking just 1-2 hours from the port of Pireaus, you can easily soak up the island atmosphere on a day trip or weekend getaway from the city. Feast your eyes on the rock-built monasteries of Meteora on this full-day rail trip from Athens. Some links in this post are to affiliate sites. Given the current situation, what youd probably want to do is to book a rental car and then take an onsite guided tour. Mycenae was the city of mythical Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan War. information if youre planning this trip for 2022. While onboard youll also have the chance to enjoy some local Greek delicacies in the form of snacks and drinks on your way to and from Vouliagmeni Bay. with other people. Isnt it? and enjoy a glass of wine, and the color of the water is superb (even though we were there on a cloudy day in February!). explain the history to me. If you want to visit some Greek Islands but dont have a ton of time, you can The most famous monument is the temple of Alphaia that forms the Scared Triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. for the dates of your day trip! Another great tour to partake in while venturing to Athens is the Ancient Olympia Tour. As a tourist destination, Athens is a city full of cool attractions. During the summer months, you can swim in the crystal clear waters of a nearby beach and have some fresh seafood in a seafront taverna. Explore the highlights of Athens in a private vehicle on this full-day tour. Read more about Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. At Sounio, you will have the chance to visit the Temple of Poseidon which dates back to 44 BC, and admire the incredible view of the Aegean Sea. Stand in awe before the dramatically situated Temple of Apollo, then discover long-lost wonders at the Delphi Archeological Museum, including the Charioteer of Delphi and the Sphinx of Naxos. homebase in Berlin. a study done on it, including measurements and all kinds of science. for a one-day ferry tour to Mykonos from Athens. You might also meet an archeological restoration crew working to save this temple and see them quickly at work restoring this important piece of Greek history. This tour will take you around the various spots in Olympia that are not only historic but feature beautiful landscapes. to the Greek Islands on my next trip (though hopefully longer than just a day!). In the museum Or, load up an audio guide before you head to the destination to prepare yourself. Its also an example of Cyclopean architecture, Ride a train through the Grecian countryside with included rail tickets and travel from the town of Kalambaka to the ancient clifftop monasteries in a luxury minibus with onboard Wi-Fi. your blog is amazing, thank you so much for sharing. The operator whose product is featured here may pay Viator more. This private tour lasts around 10 hours and you will be taken around to places like the Corinth Canal, Ancient Olympia, and the Temple of Zeus by your guide. was also built by the Venetians, but got its current name from the Ottoman Turks. Click here to check rental car availability in Athens, From Athens: Full-day tour and sailing to Agistri, Moni, & Aegina, Catamaran sailing cruise with meal and drinks, Guided day trip to Aegina and Agistri Islands, save money with a larger group tour to Delphi, Click here to check rental car availability, Peloponnese Region (Mycenae and Epidaurus). On this day cruise, you will visit 3 Saronic islands in one day. Instead, take the train there from Athens in the morning and be back in Athens by the end of the night on this day trip with transport included. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. Peloponnese Region. These Athens experiences are providing additional COVID-19 safety measures: What Rail Tours in Athens are good for avoiding crowds? Visit Meteora from Athens for an amazing experience on this PRIVATE full-day tour. The Corinth Canal is situated in the city of Peloponnese and works to connect the Saronic Sea with the Corinthian Gulf. The city of Athens certainly has enough going on that you actually never need to leave during your whole stay. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Travel north by train to Kalambaka and after free time to explore and relax, stay overnight in a 3- or 4-star hotel. However, tickets are needed to be bought on their own and lunch is not provided for this tour. There you will have the chance to visit the archaeological site and the beautiful museum which houses numerous archeological artifacts you can view and learn about. Especially with Summer around the corner, Take a break from the bustle of Athens with this day trip to the most fascinating historical and natural sights on and around Mount Olympus. Or maybe both? On your day excursion to Delphi, you will have the chance to visit the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, and the archaeological museum among other places of interest. (called the Treasury of Atreus) Dedicated to the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios, ancient Greeks would flock here to receive medical treatment for their ailments. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. We always book our rental cars on It is not very close to Athens but you can still visit it as a day trip. . Enjoy a stress-free adventure of Greeces capital with a full itinerary planned out, and round-trip transport included. Explore Greece beyond Athens with a half-day rail tour to the striking monastery complex at Meteora. Click here to check rental car availability Take in views from Lycabettus Hill and explore the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki. Besides that, driving in Greece is much less chaotic than driving in Italy, in case youve been there hosting a modest 13,000-14,000 spectators, its in fantastic shape for the fact that it was built in the 4th century BC. for a tour that visits Sounio for sunset on the Aegean Sea. back when the Greeks were fighting for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Youll be able to see various types of native trees, shrubs, and plants that grow through the valley and even up the magnificent rock structures which are also dazzling as well with their beautiful shades of brown, gray, and black. Glad I enjoyed the post! View all six sky-high monastic retreats and visit three of them. Instead of rushing between landmarks, take your time and explore at your leisure, including the archaeological site at Delphi. & Facebook. Youll be able to view the massive columns, fading bright colors and golden accents, as well as statues of Zeus while exploring this beautiful structure. The road arent the best, but weve never had issues driving during Read more about the monasteries of Meteora.How to get from Athens to Meteora. want to drive. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a140e353c4474151fbe21e931da9fcad" );document.getElementById("if34fc3a20").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. If youre planning a trip to Greece, dont miss my other posts about this awesome country (all of which have been updated for 2022): Hi there! Greek islands vacation. . Thanks for sharing this. as a theatre of symmetry and beauty. You have probably heard all about the great beaches, food, and night scene in Mykonos and are keen to discover it for yourself! Here are a few of the top-rated small-group tours that depart from Athens and visit the Saronic islands: One of the most time-efficient day trips from Athens, Cape Sounio is the location of Poseidons Temple and supposedly where King Menelaus stopped on his return from Troy. save money with a larger group tour to Delphi with history, you can visit Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Nafplio in a single day. Bourtzi The trip will incorporate hiking, viewpoints, wildlife watching, and a Mediterranean lunch in the forest before heading back to Athens in the early afternoon. at Mycenae, you can see some original tablets of Linear B writing some of the oldest human writing in the entire world! This sleepy seaside town has an epic past, as the first capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, your fingertips, theres always the question: How am I going to reach these locations outside of Athens? Epidaurus is also home to the worlds best-preserved ancient amphitheatre, which dwarfs the ones in Athens itself. Not only that, but reaching Sounio is a really short trip: It only takes about 50 minutes of driving along the coast Travel by train through the beautiful countryside on a full-day tour from Athens to the Meteora monasteries. While at the Temple of Poseidon, youll also be able to explore this ancient ruin that was created by the Greeks and dedicated to the Greek god Poseidon. Check availability and current prices Starting from the picturesque island of Hydra, then going to the green island of Poros, and lastly the island of Aegina where you can visit the Temple of Aphaea which is located near the Saronic Gulf and displays a beautiful example of classical Greek architecture. There are several daily ferries from Piraeus, but the journey time is five hours unless you take the fast ferry with a journey time of less than 3 hours. If youre craving green spaces and nature while in Athens, why not take a day trip to the National Park of Mount Parnitha which lies just outside the city center. While those islands warrant a trip on their own, similarly to Meteora, if you wont get another chance, you might want to consider fitting a tour in to your Athens itinerary. If you purchase something Taking place at a restaurant under a majestic Acropolis view, your cooking class is run by an experienced and passionate cooking instructor who demonstrates traditional family Greek cooking. Lets look at the different options (car vs. tour vs. train) and compare the pros and cons of Youll be able to view the baths, sanctuary, and hospital where these treatments once took place. Under the instructors watchful eye, prepare an authentic Greek feast and then sit down with fellow food-lovers in your group to eat it! Renting a car is also affordable in Greece, and Ive explained everything you need to know If your heart is set on Mykonos, my tip would be to Since its such a popular trip, you can choose if you want to Plus, youll be back in Athens in time for lunch so theres no excuse not to visit! Twitter, Thats exactly what Im thinking. places to bathe, and obviously places to watch entertainment. There was literally Thanks for visiting! Its possible to take a ferry and walk around. At the archaeological museum, one of the most popular museums in Greece, youll be able to view many artifacts that were uncovered in Delphi like carvings, dishes, and statues. Driving in Greece is much less intimidating than driving in Italy, and we think most drivers Ride a train through inland Greece to Kalambaka, and on arrival, enjoy a panoramic drive to see all six UNESCO-listed retreats. and have never had any problems, neither with picking up the car nor bogus insurance claims. Marvel at the rocktop monasteries of Meteora on a 2-day rail trip from Athens. Lastly, you can visit one of Greeces most picturesque towns Nafplio. like the movie Troy . Tour the classical ruins of the mountainside site of Delphi, once considered the center of the world, and then cross the Thessalian Plain to visit the medieval rock top monasteries of Meteora. interested in ancient history and world renowned archaeological sites? Speaking of Troy, you can also visit the Tomb of Agamemnon of being stuck in a bus with a bunch of people (we all know thats not what anyone wants at the moment). In the current climate, you might want to avoid traveling by train. Avoid the complications of organizing a train trip to the rock-side monasteries of Meteora yourself, and book a package put together by the professionals. I havent personally been to Sounio, but it was one of the top places we considered going instead of the This structure is an important part of the area due not only to its historical meanings but because it is considered to be one of the best examples of Doric architecture, a style made popular during ancient Greece. However, if you I know were all thinking, These people are standing too close together! There I am in the corner being distant, as though from a premonition . Click here to check rental car availability in Athens Where to book a car in Athens? This small-group cooking class is limited to 16 people, ensuring you'll learn all about Greek cooking in an intimate atmosphere. 3 Days in Athens: Itinerary for First-time Visitors in 2022, Northern Greece: Travel Guide and 7-day Itinerary, Zagori, Greece: An Adventurous Travel Guide for 2022. Another extremely popular day trip from Athens, Delphi is where the most famous oracle in Ancient Greece was located. Utilize public transport including rail, bus, and taxi during a three-day itinerary focused on history and nature. Any of these day tours can be done with a car or a guided tour. for the top-reviewed Meteora tour from Athens. Its main town has some beautiful 19th-century neoclassical mansions, dating from when the island was temporarily the capital of Greece and there are quaint villages and attractive beaches to enjoy. For that reason, Id stick with renting a car (it might even be cheaper). Hop a train first thing in the morning to visit the Dion archaeological ruins and Platamonas Castle. Olympus for a short hike to the gorge of Enipeas before ending with a stop in the charming village Litochoro at the foot of the mountain. DiscoverCars Its an extremely popular day trip from Athens. Sign up for my newsletter for a once-a-week email with new posts on the blog, travel tips and deals, as well as exclusive content! Visit one of Greeces most picturesque coastal viewpoints on a half-day small-group tour from Athens to Cape Sounion. Its a wonderful way to experience one of Greeces most breathtaking and off-the-beaten-path cultural treasures. Save your favorites. This is the day trip we opted to go on while visiting Athens! Im Chrysoula, born and raised in Athens, Greece. If you havent read the Iliad at least during high school, its kind of If you love spending time on the ocean then a Sailing Cruise along the coast could be a great option for you to get away from the hustle and bustle of Athens city center while taking in the stunning sights out at sea. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. Travel in a private vehicle through the scenic Peloponnesian countryside, stopping to visit Corinth and its strategically important canal, the ancient city of Mycenae, coastal Nafplion, and the UNESCO-listed Theatre of Epidaurus and Sanctuary of Asklepios. . This delightful Cycladic island with its 16th-century windmills has been attracting the international crowd since the 1960s. Another day trip option from Athens is a visit to the nearby island of Agistri, a small natural landscape located in the Saronic group of islands. Theres no point self-driving to Kalavryta (Kalavrita) to ride the Odontotos Rack Railwayyoull waste time repeating the journey to collect the car. each of these in the context of Greece travel. this is a really cost-effective way to enjoy the Summer sun without the prices of a full-blown They borrowed option given the current circumstances. through them, I may earn a small comission which costs you nothing! The Mycenaeans are also awesome because they were among the first cultures to have a system of writing. Again, because of the current situation, I would avoid taking any tours that require you to get in a bus Air-conditioned transport by bus, overnight accommodation in 3- or 4-star hotels, breakfast, dinner, entrance fees, and Athens hotel pickup and drop-off included. or opt for a Whenver youre leaving the warm embrace of a city like Athens, with public transits and taxis at However, these day trips are completely worth it! Its considered to be the easiest one to visit in Meteora thanks to it being built lower into the rock formations making it easier for guests to access. Quickly access bookings. As always, do a very good check of the car and take photos, especially if you arent getting full insurance. Includes rail fares, deluxe air-conditioned minivan transport around the sites, plus an upgrade option to first-class train travel. Then, after savoring a delicious lunch, head out to the Saronic Gulf to Cape Sounion where the great Temple of Poseidon is still standing. However, if you do want to leave the city, these day trips are a great choice! Mycenae is exceptional because it dates back to the second millenium BC very old! Your driver meets your train in the town of Kalambaka and take you to the medieval monastery complex, which sits perched high atop sandstone cliffs and is honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Travel back in time to the thriving empire of ancient Greece on a full-day tour of Athens led by an expert guide. Youll discover hermit caves and enjoy lunch along the way. By renting a car, you can get the benefit of learning from a tour guide but without the potential downside I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over This region is packed writing from the Minoan civilization (who developed Linear A), and created their own script called Linear B. However, there are also some worthwhile day trips that are must-sees. This half-day sailing experience allows you to make the most of the spectacular Greek weather aboard a modern yacht, stopping off throughout the day to swim and snorkel in the azure waters. Depart from your hotel and make your way the the Acropolis, where you can stroll through the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of the Athena Nike, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, and the Parthenon. While in Athens, dont miss out the opportunity to visit Meteora one of the worlds most popular UNESCO sites.
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