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One of the best bases in Europe for weekend trips is Athens, and for teachers living and working in Greece, the weekend possibilities are genuinely extraordinary.
The Greek islands are accessible by ferry from Piraeus port — just 20 minutes from the Athens city center by Metro. Ancient sites dot the mainland within 2–3 hours. The Peloponnese peninsula is 2 hours south. In addition, budget flights from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) connect teachers to the rest of Europe quickly and cheaply. Greece is one of the most rewarding countries in the world to base yourself in for weekend trips from Athens, putting you at the center of it all.
Delphi — 2.5 hours from Athens and one of the most awe-inspiring sites in the ancient world.
Day Trips from Athens (Under 3 Hours)
Delphi (2.5 hours by bus) is the sanctuary of Apollo, the site of the ancient Oracle, and one of Greece’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites. The mountain setting above the Gulf of Corinth is spectacular. Go in spring or autumn to avoid summer heat. The KTEL bus from Athens Liosion terminal takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs under 20 euros return.
Cape Sounion (1.5 hours by bus) is the Temple of Poseidon perched on a cliff above the Aegean — one of Greece’s most dramatic ancient sites, particularly at sunset when the white marble columns glow against the sea. Easy and very rewarding half-day trip. The KTEL bus from Athens Pedion Areos park runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Nafplio (2 hours by bus) is Greece’s first capital after independence and one of the country’s most beautiful small towns. Venetian architecture, the Bourtzi fortress on a rock in the bay, the Palamidi hilltop fortress above the town, and excellent seafood restaurants on the waterfront. Nafplio deserves a full day or overnight stay. The KTEL Argolidas bus from the Athens Kifissos terminal runs approximately 2 hours.
Corinth and Mycenae (1.5 to 2 hours by bus) are two of the ancient world’s most significant sites within easy reach of Athens. The ruins of ancient Corinth and the massive Cyclopean walls of Mycenae — the Bronze Age citadel of Agamemnon — are among Greece’s most powerful archaeological experiences. Both can be combined in one day with a car or a tour.
Aegina — one hour from Athens by ferry and one of the easiest island escapes in Greece.
Island Trips: Ferry from Piraeus
Aegina (1 hour by ferry) is the closest island to Athens and the easiest weekend escape. The Temple of Aphaia — one of Greece’s best-preserved ancient temples — is a 15-minute bus ride from the port. Additionally, the pistachios are extraordinary and famous across Greece. Regular ferries from Piraeus take approximately 1 hour and cost under 10 euros each way.
Hydra (2 hours by hydrofoil) (highly recommended) is one of the Saronic Islands closest to Athens and one of Greece’s most atmospheric destinations. Cars are entirely banned on the island, therefore donkeys carry everything — which creates an extraordinary quiet. A beautiful Venetian harbor, crystal-clear water, excellent tavernas, and a long-standing creative community that has attracted artists and writers for decades. The Hellenic Seaways hydrofoil from Piraeus runs approximately 2 hours. Hydra was one of my favorite destinations when I was in Athens and looking for a weekend getaway.
Santorini (8 hours by overnight ferry or 1 hour by flight) needs no introduction — the caldera views from Oia and Fira, the white-washed villages, the volcanic beaches. Budget flights from Athens with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express run approximately 1 hour and can cost under 60 euros return, booked in advance. Alternatively, the overnight ferry is cheaper and adds romance, arriving in the caldera at dawn.
Crete (9 hours overnight or 1 hour by flight) is Greece’s largest island and deserves at least a long weekend. The Minoan palace of Knossos (the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in Greece), the Samaria Gorge hike (16km through Europe’s longest gorge), the old Venetian harbor of Chania, and the pink-sand beach of Elafonissi. Budget flights with Ryanair or Aegean run approximately 1 hour.
Mainland Greece Beyond Athens
Meteora (5 hours by train) is one of Greece’s most extraordinary landscapes — Byzantine monasteries perched atop sheer rock pillars rising from the plain of Thessaly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Genuinely unlike anywhere else in Europe. The train from Athens Larissis station to Kalambaka takes approximately 5 hours — worth it for a long weekend.
Practical Tips for Weekend Trips from Athens
Book ferries through Ferryhopper or Hellenic Seaways. Greece’s ferry network is extensive and generally well-organized. Book in advance for summer travel — the Saronic Islands fill up on summer weekends.
Pack light and use a carry-on only. Greek island travel involves boats, taxis, and cobblestone streets — a 40-liter backpack is ideal. Our packing guide for teachers abroad covers exactly what to bring.
Use the Charles Schwab debit card. Greece uses the euro, so no currency conversion issues — but ATM fees add up over a year of weekend travel. Schwab reimburses all ATM fees worldwide.
Hydra — car-free, donkey-powered, and two hours from Athens by hydrofoil. One of the best weekend escapes in Greece.
FAQs: Weekend Trips from Athens
Q: What is the best island to visit from Athens for a weekend? A: Hydra is the best island for a relaxed, atmosphere-rich weekend — car-free, beautiful harbor, easy 2-hour hydrofoil from Piraeus. For dramatic scenery, Santorini (1 hour by flight) is unmatched. For the best combination of ancient history and beach, Aegina (1 hour by ferry) is hard to beat.
Q: Can you do Santorini as a day trip from Athens? A: Technically yes by flight — 1 hour each way — but Santorini deserves at least one overnight. The island at sunset and sunrise is completely different from during the day-tripper hours. Book an early-morning flight and a late-evening return for the best day-trip experience.
Q: Is teaching in Athens a good base for island travel? A: Yes — Athens is arguably the best city in Europe for island travel. Piraeus port is 20 minutes from the city center by Metro, and the Saronic Islands are accessible year-round. For full context on what teaching in Greece actually looks like, our guide to teaching in Greece covers salary, frontistiria school culture, and what to expect.
Q: What do teachers earn in Greece? A: Teaching English at a frontistirio (private English language school) in Athens typically pays 700–1,100 euros per month. Living costs in Athens are among the lowest of any European capital, which means the salary stretches further than it sounds. Our teaching abroad FAQs cover the financial reality in more detail.
Ultimately, teaching in Athens puts you at the center of one of Europe’s greatest weekend travel networks. The Greek islands, the ancient mainland, and the rest of Europe by budget flight — all within easy reach.
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