Athens & Attica
Greece's capital region centred on the Acropolis, where antiquities, museums, Cape Sounion and the Saronic Gulf islands can all be visited as day trips.
This region corresponds to the Attica region of Greece. It includes the capital Athens, the port of Piraeus, the East Attica coast, the Saronic Gulf islands (Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses) that belong administratively to Attica, and the island of Kythira to the south. Beyond the Isthmus of Corinth to the west lies the Peloponnese, while Thebes and Delphi to the north belong to mainland Central Greece.
The core attraction is Athens: the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus, the National Archaeological Museum, plus the old Plaka district and night views from Lycabettus Hill. Outside the city, visit the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion for an Aegean sunset, or explore Eleusis, the battlefield of Marathon and the site of Vravrona. Day cruises from Piraeus can take in Aegina, Poros and car-free Hydra.
A classic plan is 2–3 days in central Athens, plus a half-day at Sounion and one day on the islands; Athens is also the departure point for the Cyclades, Crete and the Peloponnese. For transport, Athens International Airport has a metro and express bus into the city, and ferries to the islands leave from Piraeus and Rafina. In summer the sites are scorching at midday, so arrive at opening time and bring plenty of water; ticket prices at popular sites differ between summer and winter, and can be bought online in advance.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Classical Greece Mainland Loop – A classic heritage route from Athens looping through Argolis, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora.
- Athens First Visit Highlights – Base in Plaka and walk between the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora and National Archaeological Museum.
- Greece: Athens, Mykonos, Santorini & Meteora – The classic combination for first-time visitors: Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, plus Delphi and Meteora.
- Athens In Depth with Delphi – Take your time with the monuments, museums and old quarters, with a day trip to Delphi and the mountain village of Arac…
- Cyclades Island Hopping: Paros, Naxos & Santorini – Depart from Athens and hop through Paros, Naxos, and Santorini on a one-way southward route with no backtracking.
- Athens City Plus Three Day Trips – Base in Athens, with day trips to the Argolid archaeological sites, Hydra Island and Cape Sounion.
- Western Cyclades Slow Travel: Milos, Folegandros & Sifnos – A slow-paced journey through Milos, Folegandros, and Sifnos to see white volcanic cliffs, sea caves, and cliffside town…
- Athens Food and Old Neighborhoods – Stay in Psyrri, eat at the Central Market, street souvlaki and Koukaki's small tavernas, and take a pistachio trip to A…
- Southern Peloponnese Road Trip – A self-drive loop from Athens covering Argolis, Monemvasia, the Mani Peninsula, and Olympia.
- Athens & Argolis Short Break – A short getaway combining one day in Athens with two nights in Nafplio, covering Mycenae and Epidaurus.
- Aegean Cross-Border Journey: Turkey to Greece – A cross-border route from Istanbul through Ephesus and Bodrum, crossing by ferry to Kos and Rhodes, and ending in Athen…