Beyond the city
Athens is a superb base for exploring the wider region of Attica and central Greece. In a day you can stand at a clifftop temple, visit one of the most important sites of the ancient world or take a ferry to an island. Here are three of the best, with notes on how to get there.
Public buses and ferries cover all three, but a rental car or organised tour can make the longer trips far more comfortable.
Cape Sounion: the temple at the edge of the sea
At the southern tip of Attica, around an hour and a half by road along the coast, the Temple of Poseidon stands on a headland high above the Aegean. Its white marble columns are especially beautiful at sunset, when the stone glows and the sea turns gold. The poet Lord Byron is said to have carved his name on one of the columns, and many visitors search for it.
The coastal drive itself is a highlight, passing beaches and small resorts on the Athens Riviera. Stop for a swim on the way and arrive for the late afternoon light. Combine the trip with a seafood dinner in one of the coastal villages before returning.
Delphi: the navel of the world
Delphi lies on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, around two and a half to three hours by road from Athens. The ancient Greeks believed it was the centre of the world, and for centuries people came to consult the oracle of Apollo. The setting is spectacular, with ruins of temples, treasuries, a theatre and a stadium climbing a mountainside above an olive-filled valley that runs down to the sea.
The museum holds remarkable finds, including the bronze Charioteer, one of the finest surviving ancient Greek statues. Because of the distance, Delphi is a long day; an early start is essential, and staying overnight in the village or the nearby mountain town of Arachova is a rewarding alternative.
Aegina: an easy island escape
If you want a taste of island life without a long journey, take a ferry from the port of Piraeus to Aegina, one of the Saronic islands. Crossings are typically around an hour or less depending on the boat. The main town has a pretty harbour with fishing boats and neoclassical buildings, and the island is famous for its pistachios, sold everywhere in every form imaginable.
Hire a bike or take a bus to the Temple of Aphaia, a well-preserved temple set among pine trees, or head to one of the small beaches for a swim. Return in the evening for dinner in Athens.
Good to know
- Check ferry timetables in advance, as frequencies are lower in winter.
- For Sounion, aim to arrive at least an hour before sunset to explore before the crowds gather.
- Bring water and a hat to Delphi; the site is steep and exposed.