Best Day Trips From Athens – Travel With Me 24 X 7 (2023)

FAQs

What day trips can you take from Athens? ›

You can travel by ferry from Athens to nearby islands such as Aegina, Agistri, Hydra, Kea, Spetses, Poros, and Kythnos, as well as other beautiful islands of the Aegean Sea, such as Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Crete, Lesbos, Kastellorizo, and so many more!

Aegina Island

Aegina is the nearest island to the Greek capital. and the trip to Aegina from Piraeus port only takes about 40 minutes. The island is rich in both cultural and natural attractions. Many Athenians own summer homes there because it is such a popular weekend getaway.

Yes, Hydra is definitely worth visiting if you're looking for a relaxed Greek island getaway. With its cosmopolitan character and rich history, there's plenty to see and do in Hydra Town, as well as hikes to take and beaches to swim at.

How long should I spend in Athens? Given the size of the city, three days is a good amount of time to spend in Athens. This gives you enough time to visit the main attractions without being too rushed and allows you to see some of the city.

Aegina. Just an hour from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is the island closest to Athens. Here you'll enjoy ancient temples, stone-built Byzantine churches, a delightful old-fashioned port town, delicious local pistachio nuts and a swimming season that lasts until late autumn.

The easiest islands to get to from Athens are Hydra, Spetses, Aegina, Poros, and Agistri.

The only way in which you can travel from Athens to Santorini in a day is to fly. The flights from Athens International Airport depart daily and pretty much run every hour.

The best islands for a day trip from Athens are the Saronic islands, Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, and the Cycladic island of Kea or Tzia.

Can you do day trips between Greek islands? ›

The best way to travel among these islands is by boarding a fast ferry. The ferry travel times between these Greek islands vary from 2 hours to 45 minutes (Paros-Naxos). The three islands can also make an excellent escape from the bustle of Santorini and are perfect options for a one-day trip or a weekend away.

The Athens to Santorini ferry time is usually 5 to 13 hr. The duration of the trip to Santorini depends mainly on the type of vessel and the ferry company. Tip: bear in mind that ferry timetables are subject to change. Therefore, make sure to check your departure time before your trip.

There is a daily ferry to Hydra from Piraeus port, the main port of Athens. The ferry to Hydra takes about 4 hours and there are frequent itineraries every day.

Aegina Island is what Greece is all about. If you're visiting Athens, you should definitely consider taking a day trip to Aegina or even spending a couple of days on this unspoiled Greek island. Either way, this list of things to do in Aegina is a great starting point to explore all this small island has to offer.

If you have an excessive layover time you may be wondering: Can I leave the airport between connecting flights? The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport.

How long does a layover need to be to leave the airport? Because layovers are your choice, you can leave whenever you like, but seasoned travelers, including McGee, seldom leave airports for less than six hours. After all, airports themselves aren't usually in bustling, interesting areas.

Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.

How to Get from Athens to Santorini. The distance between Athens and Santorini is 186 miles (300 km). The most convenient way to travel between them is by plane, which takes 50 minutes flying from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH).

Peak season is summer, when Athens is packed with tourists, and hotel prices can be high. July and August are the hottest. The best time to visit is late spring (May) and fall (Sept-Oct). It's pleasant, with comfortable weather, no rain, and smaller crowds (except during holiday weekends).

10. Schedule enough time for your visit. Average speaking you need around 1.5 - 2 hours to ascend the hill and see the monuments of the Acropolis. Of course, you can spend as long as you want and taking as many pictures as you wish, then add some extra strolling and picture time to it.

Can you take a day trip to Mykonos from Athens? ›

Mykonos is a fantastic island, and although it is not recommended to see it in just one day, it is entirely possible to travel there and back from Athens in the same day; it is truly one of the most magical, and unforgettable places you will ever visit.

The most popular transportation means to go from Athens to the Greek islands is by ferry. It is the easiest way even if many flights are available to reach the islands. Although Piraeus is the central port of Athens, many ferries also depart from the ports of Rafina and Lavrion.

1. Mykonos. There's no better way to start your Greek island hopping adventures than with Mykonos. This enchanting Greek island is famous for its vibrant nightlife, pebbled streets, whitewashed houses and, of course, some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean.

The Saronic Gulf islands are less than 3 hours away from Athens and arguably the easiest to reach on a day trip.

Taking a ferry is by far the best way to go from Athens to Crete for scenic sea views and an authentic Greek island-hopping experience. However, it is essential to know that this is not the fastest way to travel from Athens to Crete.

Of course the number one suggestion is the neighboring island of Therasia; the quickest, easiest and most inexpensive day trip as it lies just opposite of Santorini. There are several daily tours that depart from the port of Ammoudi and it only takes about 20 minutes to get there.

Santorini is best known as a romantic island with one-of-a-kind views, whereas Mykonos is more about sandy beaches and spirited partying. Depending on the vibe you seek, both islands suit holidays à deux. Solo travellers and groups of friends will also find both appealing, though Mykonos offers more in terms of edge.

Santorini is probably the most popular Greek Island. Afloat in the Aegean, east of the mainland, it is typically Cycladic with its blinding white houses, blue and pastel shutters and roofs.

Is it expensive to island hop in Greece? ›

Depending on how long the ferry ride is and what kind of seat or accommodation you opt for, ferry tickets range from around $20 to $100. Not only are the island-hopping Greece ferries more affordable than flights, but you can enjoy much better views of the ocean and islands.

The Athens to Paros ferry duration ranges from approximately 3 hr to 5 hr. This depends on the type of vessel, the weather conditions as well as the intermediate stops of each itinerary.

Although it's only about 2 hours from Athens, you might want to consider stoping in the city of Delphi. You can take one of the ferries operated by Corfu Ferries, which runs every three hours and gets you to Corfu in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Keep in mind that ferries only operate for travelers Tuesdays through Fridays.

It is better to fly to Santorini because the ferry trip takes more than 4 hours and you will be wasting at least half a day in total just to arrive to the island. The flight to Santorini is more expensive than the ferry in general but it's totally worth it if you are visiting the island just for a few days.

To save time, consider flying. Compared with boats, flights are less likely to be delayed or cancelled, tend to offer more frequent connections, and are much faster — but often more expensive. Two major Greek carriers offer daily flights from Athens to many Greek islands are Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines.

Ferries between Athens and Santorini cost around 35€-56€ depending on the type of vessel (conventional or high-speed ferry). Plus, if you book your ferry tickets in advance, you can also take advantage of the early-booking offers with ticket prices of around 30€.

Hydra's proximity to Athens makes its a popular destination for day trips or weekend breaks, and its small size means you can see a lot, but it's a good place to relax and take it easy.

In brief, Piraeus port is the closest to Athens center, while Rafina and Lavrio ports are closer to the International Airport of Athens.

Hopping on a ferry to Crete is arguably one of the most affordable solutions. The distance between Athens and Crete is approximately 150-170 nautical miles and there are two busy lines; Port of Piraeus to Chania and Port of Piraeus to Heraklion.

Agia Marina is a beach town with some tavernas a view of Athens and a nice beach. Aegina is a good island for people who want to see Athens but not necessarily stay in Athens because you can get to the city in an hour or less.

Why is Aegina so popular? ›

Today, Aegina is a very popular destination, due to its proximity to Piraeus port of Athens. Its historical significance and immaculate natural beauty are protected by law; thus the construction of contemporary infrastructure in Aegina Town, the capital of the island, has been banned.

One of the close to Athens island destinations, with only an hour-long distance from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is an excellent destination to combine archaeological sites, monuments, and landmarks related to modern Greek history, with long, stretched sandy beaches and picturesque secluded islets.

An exhausting trip to say the least, but well, well worth it. If you dont have time for the two day tour to both Meteora and Delphi, I highly suggest tackling Delphi as a day trip. It's located about 2 1/2 hours driving distance from Athens.

A Taking a boat from Athens to the Santorini is approximately a 6 hour journey, so it would not be possible to operate a one day tour without a flight.

Ferry – Another option for traveling from Athens to Mykonos on a day trip, is by ferry. This service runs from April to October, which is the main tourist period, and takes approximately 2.5 hours each way; this does take longer than flying, but it is a very scenic and enjoyable mode of transport.

The Athens to Santorini ferry time is usually 5 to 13 hr. The duration of the trip to Santorini depends mainly on the type of vessel and the ferry company. Tip: bear in mind that ferry timetables are subject to change. Therefore, make sure to check your departure time before your trip.

How long is the ferry ride from Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos? The ferry crossing duration from Athens to Mykonos ranges from 2 hr 35 min to 5 hr 15 min, depending on the type of vessel and the weather conditions.

Mykonos is roughly 114 miles from Athens, and there are two transport options to reach it: ferries and flights.

What is the easiest way to get from Athens to Santorini? ›

The most convenient way to travel between them is by plane, which takes 50 minutes flying from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). Direct flights run daily between Athens and Santorini throughout the year, with the number of flights per day increasing during the high summer season.

The best method of Greek island hopping is by ferry. The travel time between them ranges from 45 minutes – 2 hours. Ferry tickets need to be bought in advance, at least 24 hours before departure.

Depending on how long the ferry ride is and what kind of seat or accommodation you opt for, ferry tickets range from around $20 to $100. Not only are the island-hopping Greece ferries more affordable than flights, but you can enjoy much better views of the ocean and islands.