Top Day Trips in Greece

Aegina (Pistachio Island) ★ 4.8 · Athens

Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, 40 minutes by ferry from the Piraeus port of Athens, is the PDO pistachio island, the harbour-front taverna lunch.

Tip: Sample pistachio paste at the harbour shops; the September Fistiki Festival is the peak weekend.

Naoussa Wine Country ★ 4.7 · Thessaloniki

The Naoussa PDO zone west of Thessaloniki is the most important red wine appellation in Greece, producing Xinomavro from an indigenous variety that resembles.

Nemea (Agiorgitiko Wine Country) ★ 4.6 · Athens

Nemea in the Peloponnese, 115 km southwest of Athens, is the Agiorgitiko PDO wine country with two or three winery tastings, a lunch in town and the ancient.

Tip: Book wineries ahead; organised Athens day tours run €90 to €150 including transport and lunch.

Hydra (Saronic Island Lunch) ★ 4.5 · Athens

Hydra on the Saronic Gulf is the donkey-only island where Athens goes for the harbour-front seafood lunch, a 90-minute Flying Dolphin from Piraeus and back.

Tip: First Flying Dolphin out at 08:00; latest return at 20:00. Cars are banned on the whole island.

Halkidiki Peninsula Seafood ★ 4.5 · Thessaloniki

The three peninsulas of Halkidiki offer seafood tavernas ranging from simple beach-side fish restaurants to more ambitious kitchens. Booking recommended.

Kozani Saffron Tour ★ 4.5 · Thessaloniki

Kozani in western Macedonia produces the finest Greek saffron: Krokos Kozanis PDO, recognised alongside Kashmiri and Iranian varieties among the top three.

Veria Traditional Kitchen ★ 4.4 · Thessaloniki

Veria (Beroea) retains the most intact traditional Macedonian food scene within day-trip range of Thessaloniki. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.

Nafplio (Argolid Town) ★ 4.3 · Athens

Nafplio in the Argolid, two hours from Athens, is the seafront town with harbour-front tavernas, the long-running Antica Gelateria di Roma and the citadel.

Tip: Antica Gelateria di Roma on Farmakopoulou is the destination ice cream.

Edessa Waterfall Lunch ★ 4.3 · Thessaloniki

Edessa in western Macedonia is famous for its dramatic waterfall and the network of tavernas and cafes built around and behind the falling water.

Kavala Seafood Day Trip ★ 4.3 · Thessaloniki

The port city of Kavala on the Aegean coast is a longer day trip but delivers the finest fresh tuna and swordfish in range of Thessaloniki. Family-friendly.

Delphi and Arachova ★ 4.2 · Athens

Delphi and the adjacent ski town of Arachova on Mount Parnassus, 2h 30m from Athens, run the winter and shoulder-season mountain taverna circuit.

Tip: Arachova lights up Friday and Saturday from November to March; lunch is the easier weekday option.

Pella and Vergina Archaeological Lunch ★ 4.2 · Thessaloniki

A half-day combining the UNESCO Vergina royal tombs and the archaeological site of Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, with a taverna lunch in the town.

Spetses (Saronic Island) ★ 4.0 · Athens

Spetses in the Saronic Gulf is a longer 2h 15m Flying Dolphin from Piraeus, the smarter island for a long taverna lunch on the Old Harbour and the almond.

Tip: Spetses requires an earlier ferry; the Old Harbour tavernas serve until 23:00 for the late return.