Athens Travel Blog

In my capacity as a side-hustle tour guide in and around Athens, one of the most common inquiries I hear from my prospective clients is this: ”In which part of Athens should we stay?“ With this question in mind, I ...

The birthplace of Western civilization and one of Europe’s most vibrant contemporary capitals, the immortal city of Athens suffers no shortage of appeal to thrill its millions of visitors. Besides its own prestige, however, Athens boasts a strategic position at ...

Field of human activity for millennia and cradle of Western civilization, Athens couldn't have a shortage of museums for all tastes of curiosity. In the first part of this article, I list the ten museums I (subjectively, as an average ...

As the Dragon Houses (Gr. Δρακόσπιτα/Drakospita) is known a bunch of megalithic structures found scattered throughout the southern part of Evia Island in Greece. The buildings have puzzled archeologists ever since their rediscovery in the 18th century, as no mention ...

Although it’s often called a mountain, Mount Lycabettus is a hill. With an elevation of 277 meters above sea and a prominence of 227 meters above the city, Lycabettus Hill becomes the second-highest point within the Athenian basin (the highest ...

The other day, I was contacted by Sean, a Serbian-American musician working on a project of recording music videos at mysterious archeological sites around the world. What better country could he have found for that than Greece? He found me ...

Funny sort of duck In a city that has a serious lack of green space, the National Garden of Athens may be regarded as a much-coveted haven for the bustle-afflicted residents of the Greek capital city. In contrast with most ...

I put together this Athens Travel Guide containing all the most useful information you will need for your trip to Athens, all concentrated on one page. If there is anything particular you wonder about for which you cannot find an ...

Methoni is a small coastal town at the southwestern edge of the Peloponnese, best known for its impressive medieval fortress stretching into the sea and its quiet, low-key atmosphere. Getting to Methoni from Athens by public transport is straightforward, though ...

Out of the many medieval monasteries found in the periphery of Athens, the Monastery of Kaisariani is probably the most renowned. The monastery is situated on the northwestern foot of Mount Hymettus, within a charming grove known as Kaisariani Aesthetic ...

Pylos (aka Navarino) is a small historic harbor town on the southwestern tip of the Peloponnese, best known for its natural bay, neoclassical waterfront, and proximity to major archaeological sites. Reaching Pylos from Athens by public transport is straightforward, though ...

Galaxidi is a historic harbor town on the northern shore of the Corinthian Gulf, known for its preserved neoclassical houses and long maritime past. It’s easily reached from Athens by intercity bus, with a journey time of around 4 hours ...

Litochoro is the main access point to Mount Olympus and the default place to stay if you’re heading up the mountain. It’s also technically possible to visit on a very long day trip from Athens if all you want is ...

Florina, a small city in northwestern Greece close to the borders with North Macedonia and Albania, can be reached from Athens by long-distance bus. It’s a long haul—roughly a full day of travel—so this is not a realistic day trip ...

Rafina Port is the second major passenger port of Athens and the main gateway to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, and several smaller Cycladic islands. Reaching it from the city by bus is simple, affordable, and year-round. Below you’ll find all the ...

This guide gives you clear, up-to-date instructions on travelling from Athens International Airport to Rafina Port, the second-largest passenger port of the Athens region and the main departure point for ferries to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, and several smaller Cycladic islands ...

This guide provides clear, current, and practical instructions on reaching KTEL Liosion Bus Terminal from Athens International Airport. Liosion serves many northern and central Greek regions and is smaller than Kifissos, but just as easy to access. Athens International Airport ...

Here you will find comprehensive, concise, up-to-date instructions on how to get from the Athens International Airport directly to KTEL Kifissos Bus Terminal, the main long-distance bus station serving much of mainland Greece. The Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, the only ...

Ioannina, the lakeside capital of Epirus, sits about 424 km northwest of Athens and is connected to the capital by frequent long-distance buses. The route follows the modern highway via the Rio–Antirrio Bridge, which is the fastest option and the ...

Arachova, the well-known mountain town on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, sits about 173 km northwest of Athens and is one of the easiest winter escapes from the capital. The same buses that serve Delphi stop in Arachova, making the ...

Cape Sounion, home to the iconic Temple of Poseidon perched above the Aegean, is one of the easiest and most popular coastal escapes from Athens. The bus ride is straightforward, runs year-round, and follows the scenic seaside route along the ...

Argos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, lies at the heart of the Argolis region in the northeastern Peloponnese. While often overshadowed by its better-known neighbor Nafplio, it makes for an excellent base or stopover with ...

Mycenae, the famed center of the ancient Mycenaean civilization and home of Agamemnon, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. You can reach it from Athens by public transport, though it's not the most straightforward trip. Several ...

Patras, the third-largest city in Greece and an important gateway to Western Europe thanks to its busy ferry port to Italy, is well-connected to Athens by bus and train-bus combination. The bus is slightly faster and more direct, while the ...

Kalamata, the main city of southern Peloponnese and famous for its olives and laid-back seaside charm, is connected to Athens only by bus. Trains used to serve the route in the past, but the railway has been out of operation ...

Sparta, the legendary city of ancient warriors, is reachable from Athens exclusively by road—there is currently no train service available. The only practical way to get there is by intercity bus. Below, you’ll find all the information you need to ...

Corinth, the gateway city to the Peloponnese and home of one of Greece’s most notable archeological sites, is well-connected to Athens by both bus and train. Both options run frequently, usually at hourly intervals throughout the day. The train is ...

Nafplio, the elegant seafront town of the Peloponnese and former capital of Greece, is easily reached from Athens by direct bus. Several buses travel daily between the two cities, and the journey takes just over two hours. Below is everything ...

Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites of ancient Greece, is easily reached from Athens by bus. There are multiple routes daily, and the journey takes around 2.5 hours. Although I’d recommend you spend at least one night to ...

Kastoria, the lakeside gem of Western Macedonia, is not currently connected to the railway network. The nearest train stations are in Florina and Amyntaio, but they require extra transfers and road travel. The most straightforward option to reach it from ...

Livadia (Λιβαδειά), the beautiful riverside capital of Boeotia prefecture in Greece, is easily reached from Athens by public transport. Both buses and trains run daily between the two cities, making it convenient whether you're heading for a day trip or ...

Trikala, a vibrant and bike-friendly city in Thessaly, makes for a great escape from the capital, whether you're visiting Meteora or exploring northern Greece. It’s connected to Athens by both bus and train, with regular departures throughout the day. Travel ...

After having gone on a hiking trip with me on Mount Parnitha, my guest and new friend Mo from the UK asked me to organize yet another day trip out of Athens for her. This time she wanted something more ...

In autumn 2019, I was contacted by a Swedish traveler and was tasked to plan for her a day trip out of Athens. She wanted to visit Vouliagmeni Lake, and asked whether it could be combined with a little a ...

The Pnyx is a hill in central Athens, Greece. It is situated west of the Acropolis and between the hills of Philopappos and Nymphon. It bears paramount historical significance as the site that hosted the Ecclesia: the popular assembly of ...

Zappeion Palace Zappeion Park is a recreation area in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is squeezed between the southern side of the National Garden of Athens and the northern side of the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. Its southeast ...

Ardittos Hill (also Ardittou) is a small forested hill that borders the western side of the Panathenaic Stadium in the center of Athens, Greece. It reaches a maximum elevation of 235 meters and features multiple paved paths and dirt trails ...

One day in September 2019, I was asked by my Dutch friend Mark to plan for another day trip out of Athens. Mark being interested in sustainable lifestyle, I suggested we head for the Free and Real permaculture community on ...

Pedion Areos (or Pedion tou Areos) is one of the largest public parks within the municipality of Athens, Greece. Established in 1934, it is one of the oldest planned recreation areas in the city. During the past couple of decades, ...

During the concluding days of a Greek summer, my friend Nikolas from Corfu I and decided to leave Athens on a day trip and make for a nice beach. We took the train down to Piraeus and proceeded to the ...

A dip at Schinias Beach The other day, I was tasked by my Dutch friend Mark with organizing a day trip for him in the vicinity of Athens. It was the last weekend of September; it would probably be one ...

South panoramic view from the top of Strefi Hill As Strefi Hill is known a hill located in the heart of the city of Athens, in Exarcheia neighborhood. The hill is 155 meters high and is designated a municipal park ...

The other day I was contacted by my new friend Rishabh from India and was asked to organize a day trip outside of Athens for him. Going over the many possibilities the gorgeous Greek countryside has to offer, we eventually ...

Philopappos Hilltop Philopappos Hill is a park located right southwest of the Acropolis in the very heart of Athens, Greece. The park covers an area of 700 square km and the highest point of the hill reaches an elevation of ...

This post includes a list of all the good places you can go hiking in Athens, Greece, as well as useful information for planning your hiking trips there on your own. If there is anything particular you wonder about that ...

This is one of my hiking stories on a short sunset trip to Mount Poikilo Oros in Athens. If you are looking for inspiration and information for planning your hiking adventures throughout Greece, check out this resources page. Or check ...

This post contains resources to help you plan your hiking trip to Mount Parnitha National Park, north of Athens, Greece. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. If you are looking for information and inspiration for planning ...

The other day I was contacted by an Israeli photographer and was asked whether I could plan and guide him on a day trip outside of Athens in hunt for some good shots. After pondering all the many different options ...

Having been lately situated in Russia, there were two things I missed: warm, sunny weather and mountains. Coming back to Greece right on time for the spring's advent, it was the exact right time to hit a mountain. At about ...

After the cloudy mood of the past few weeks, a more casual for Greece, brilliant day finally rose over the peninsula of Attica this morning. The bright sky in combination with the mild, November temperature made a perfect day to ...

It was an inexorably hot summer Saturday morning in Athens. All the roads leading out of the urban area were flooded by folks surging out of the city, seeking refuge from the heat at the country's numerous beaches. On one ...

Mount Cithaeron is a mountain located north of Athens, of which the highest peak, known as "Profitis Ilias" or "Elatias", rises to 1409 AMSL. The homonymous, elongated mountain range to which it belongs used to form the boundary between the ...

A sunny and peaceful Saturday morning... and we were driving our way out from Athens. Our destination was the Gereneia Mountains on the west border of Attica; however, there was only a tiny portion of the distance separating us from ...

Mount Helicon may not enjoy the honor of a good position amongst Greece's highest mountains, coming only 59th in a row. Despite its nearly insignificant height (1749m) however, it may well boast of being one of the most renowned mountains in the ...

Kalambaka—the picturesque gateway town to the world-famous site of the Meteora Monasteries—is easily reachable from Athens by public transport. Several bus and train routes run daily between the cities. As of December 2024, none of them is direct. The train ...

Volos—Greece’s sixth largest city, tucked between the Pagasetic Gulf coast and the foot of Mount Pelion—is easily accessible from Athens by public transport. Buses and trains run frequently between the cities. Unless you are a rail buff or something, the ...

Thessaloniki, Greece’s charming second-largest city, is easily reached by public transport from Athens. Both buses and trains run frequently between the cities. The train is usually a better option as it’s quicker, slightly cheaper, and more fun. The bus may ...

Larissa, Greece’s 5th largest city and heart of the Thessaly region, can be easily reached from Athens by public transport. Buses and trains run frequently between the two cities. They both cost about the same and take similar travel times ...

Chalkida, the beautiful capital city and gateway to Evia Island, is easily accessible from Athens by public transport. Buses and trains run frequently between the cities. They both take roughly one hour. The train is a bit cheaper but slightly ...

Here you will find comprehensive, concise, up-to-date instructions and information on how to get from the airport of Athens to the city center. Check out additional resources if you instead want to get from Athens Airport directly to Piraeus Port ...

Tourkouvonia is the highest and most extensive hill range within the metropolitan area of Athens. Spanning 4 km, it splits the northern Attic basin into east and west and forms a natural boundary between four municipalities: Galatsi to its west, ...

The Hill of the Nymphs (or Nymphs Hill) is one of several rocky outcrops in the heart of Athens’ historic center. It forms one large forested area with the adjacent hills of the Pnyx and Philopappos, facing the hills of ...

The Areopagus Hill (Areios Pagos or Mars Hill) is a limestone outcrop in central Athens, just below the entrance of the Acropolis and above the Agora. The site holds immense historical significance for hosting the prestigious high court of pre-democratic ...

Here you will find comprehensive, concise, up-to-date instructions and information on how to get from the airport of Athens directly to Piraeus Port. Check out additional resources if you instead want to get from Athens Airport to the center of ...