Next spring I will be spending 3 days in Greece at the end of my Europe trip. 2 of those days are set aside for Athens. What is a good option for a 3rd day? Though I am a seasoned Europe traveler I am fairly unaware of what there is to see near Athens. What is worthwhile near Athens that is doable on a day-trip from Athens. Are there any worthwhile islands doable in a day, or is that out of the question? What about other historical towns or charming coastal towns? Thanks for the help.

You are going to be sorry not to spend more time there--it is a long way to go fro just 3 days. But--it has been a long time since I was there but there is a beach with an exquisite temple on a high bluff near Athens--it would be a nice ending trip. The National Museum is wonderful and particularly so if you are able to go to it, then visit the islands and their sites and then return to the museum to see the artifacts again.

To the top...I'd like to know too!

try that again

We were just in Athens this past October and the best day trip I can think of is Delphi, sight of the ancient Oracle of Delphi and once the sight of what would be considered "Artistic and Intellectual Olympics" it is easily doable by car and they have daily bus tours, but apparently you don't get enough time AT the site. My In-Laws took George the Famous Taxi-Driver's all day tour to Delphi though it was kind of pricy. It's a remarkable sight and entirely doable in a day. <BR>Another option is the Island of Aegina, in the Saronic Gulf, famous for Pistacios (Which are entirely addictive BTW) they have scooters there which are very fun to circumnavigate the island on, and some nice restaurants. They have regular ferries that travel to and from the Islands in the Saronic Gulf. <BR>Go to www.greektravel.com for some great general information.

I spent over 3 months in Athens in 1989. Took several weekend trips to islands... as far as day trips, I would recommend: <BR>1) Sounion (sp?)... its a temple on the southern tip of mainland. Great mythological story associated with it... also a good place to catch some sun <BR>2) Delhpi... we rented a car and explored on our own. There was also a great monastery we toured somewhere between Athens and Delphi... Can't remember if we did all that in one day or two... <BR>3) Favorite island that might be doable in a day (by hydro...) was Hydra... very rocky, no cars allowed on the island. I went there three times...

Hi Sam, I was in Athens in June 1998. IMO 2 days in Athens is quite enough. I took a tour bus for a one day trip to Delphi and had plenty of time to explore the area. Driving there can be a challange as I remember several turns that the bus took with no road signs, you have to know where you are going. I also took a one day ship tour of three of the Islands close to Athens. <BR>

Thanks for the great suggestions. Very much appreciated. I am very excited about my 3-day Greece visit. I won't have a car, so I'll be looking into the bus or boat options depending on what we decide. Any more advice or suggestions is appreciated!

There are many tourist offices that organise daily excersions from Athens, like "Key tours" or the "Go Greece" agency. The tours include, the one-day cruise in the near-by islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros, or the half day road trip at the temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio. You can find brocures of those agencies at the reception of your hotel. It is possible that the hotel will organise everything for you. You will pay the hotel, and the hotel will do all the talking with the agency (with a small comission of course).