Spring is in the air! The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming, and it’s all big blue skies and wonderful sunshine. The great outdoors is calling, and we have some great ideas for day tours from Athens that will hit the spot!

Athens may be a large, bustling metropolis, but there are spectacular nature areas just a stone’s throw away. In fact, thanks to the country’s rich and fascinating heritage, the Greek countryside boasts a wealth of extraordinary cultural and historic sites, so if you’re torn between visiting world-class monuments and taking in some the magnificent natural landscape, we have the perfect solution.

From Athens to the Aegean Sea is a fantastic day trip from Athens that gives you the opportunity to discover the grand ancient temples and breathtaking nature of Attica’s Aegean coastline—and even make it back to the city in time for the dinner! Accompanied by one of our expert, multilingual tour guides, you’ll wander through the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia, one of the major sacred sites of Greek antiquity, and learn all about the importance of the goddess and nature in ancient Greece.

Surrounded by green hills on three sides and looking out toward the Aegean to the east, the sanctuary is located in the Vravrona Wetland, a beautiful Natura 2000 protected natural area that’s home to a number of rare and endangered species of birds and fish. Respectful of the delicate environment, this part of your tour will be guided by a qualified field expert, who will provide an introduction to the area’s remarkable biodiversity, giving you unique insight into Vravrona’s fauna and flora.

Of course, no tour of Attica’s Aegean coastline is complete without a visit to the world-famous Cape Sounio. Located at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula, Cape Sounio is the site of the renowned Temple of Poseidon, one of the most spectacularly situated ancient Greek temples. Hint: It comes with fabulous views of the Aegean Sea.

And if upon returning to Athens, you find yourself wanting more, why not treat yourself to one of our other fantastic Athens day trips?

Our Visions of Ancient Delphi tour is an inspiring journey to the spiritual center of classical Greece and gives you the opportunity to take in the stunning nature of Mount Parnassus, learn about the Oracle of Delphi and visit the picturesque village of Arachova and the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Hosios Loukas.

Or, if you feel like a taste of the south, our Wine and History in the Peloponnese tour is designed to introduce you to the intertwined stories of viticulture and ancient Greek civilization. Crossing the famous Corinth Canal, the tour includes a visit to the celebrated Ancient Theater of Epidaurus or the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Mycenae—your choice!—as well as a tour and wine-tasting session at the award-winning Domaine Skouras Winery.

Combining natural beauty and cultural heritage, these three tours are hands down some of the best day trips from Athens. It turns out, that one of the top things to do in Athens this spring is to simply head out of the city!