Visiting Delphi as a Day Trip from Athens
We moved to Greece 6 years ago and love it. The country is full of legendary places. Who hasn’t heard of Crete, Mykonos or Santorini? We live in Athens and love traveling to nearby places. As soon as you exit the city, you are in the middle of nature. Delphi is the perfect day trip from Athens.
Delphi is probably the most famous oracle in the world, and one of the most important archeological sites in Greece. What’s more, ancient Greeks considered it the center of the universe. They built the sanctuary in the 8th Century BC on the slope of Mount Parnassos. The entire place is so beautiful that UNESCO included it in its List of World Heritage Sites. Besides, the views from Delphi will take your breath away.

How to Get to Delphi from Athens
Athens to Delphi by Car
It’s easy to go on a day trip to Delphi. The fastest way to go from Athens to Delphi is by car. The archaeological remains are some 111 miles (178 km) from the capital. Therefore, the journey shouldn’t take more than 2.15 hours. It’s a nice trip northwest through Attica Peninsula around the Gulf of Corinth. You get to see nature, hills, and the sea!
You have to get on the Pireos-Athinon-Thessaloniki highway north. Therefore, you can take this road from the Port of Pireus or directly from the airport. You will have Tatoi Forest on your left. It used to be the Royal Palace and Gardens. Then follow the signs until you get to Delphi. It’s impossible to get lost!
Organized Tours to Delphi
If you don’t feel like going on your own, we strongly recommend this Delphi tour from Athens. We’ve sent several friends, and they raved about it. The tour includes transportation in an AC bus from Athens. You have to pay your entrance ticket, and no tour guide is included. However, you get an assistant through the journey.
Another option is this 2-day tour to Delphi and Meteora from Athens. Meteora is one of our favorite places in Europe. You simply can’t skip it. You leave Athens early in the morning and spend the first day in Delphi. The next day you continue to Meteora and then back to Athens. It does include a hotel, breakfast, dinner, and a guide.
Buses to Delphi
Since we don’t drive and want to lower our environmental footprint, we went from Athens to Delphi by bus. The bus station is on Liosion Street 260. The closest metro station is Aghios Nikolaos. It’s the green line that goes from Pireus port, through Monastiraki and Omonia. A taxi there shouldn’t be expensive. The journey lasts between 2 and 3 hours.
Buses leave several times a day. The earliest at 7:00 AM and the latest to come back at 6:30 PM. You can buy your ticket the day before. You can’t go from Athens to Delphi by train. However, you can go to Thessaloniki and Meteora by train. Kalambaka is the closest train station to Meteora. There are buses from Kalambaka to Delphi.
What to Do in Delphi
Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo
Of all the things to do in Delphi, admiring the ruins is mandatory. The Sanctuary of Apollo is the star of Delphi. Pythia had her room inside where she would tell the future. It’s all about Apollo’s wife! The sanctuary reached its peak in the 4th Century BC. In fact, Alexander the Great was a fan. Note that up to 5 temples were built throughout history.
We have to be honest, only a couple of columns and walls remain. However, Delphi is so beautiful that you travel in time to ancient Greece. That’s why we strongly recommend you spend the night. People leave early, but the site closes at 7:00 PM in summer. You can see the sea and the gulf from the Oracle!
Visit the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia
To our great surprise, a lot of tourists leave the Delphi Archaeological Site after visiting the Temple of Apollo. The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is just a 15 minute walk from Delphi down the hill. You will pass an ancient water spring and the Ancient Gymnasium. The views from there are epic. The sanctuary is next door.
You will recognize it from its semi-circular pillars. However, of the 36 original columns, only 3 can be seen today. Delphi’s dome used to cover the temple. As you probably know, Athena protects her half-brother, Apollo. Keep walking east, and you’ll reach the ancient Roman sarcophagi. You have two Orthodox churches down the road to visit.
Learn History in the Archeological Museum
The Delphi Archeological Museum is not that big, but the collection inside is fantastic. The museum exhibits objects unearthed in Delphi and is one of the most visited in Greece, other than the ruins. You will see over 1000 years of history! From April 1st to September 30th, it opens from 8 AM to 7 PM, while from October 1st to March 31st, from 8 AM till 3 PM.
You have 14 rooms to discover, so take your time. We really like room 11, with its Dancers of Delphi. The Omphalos of Delphi is there too. Room 12 exhibits late Greek and Roman statues. The world-famous Charioteer is in room 13. The incredible statue is probably the best 5th Century bronze sculpture in the world.
Roam the Streets of Delphi City
The vast majority of tourists don’t even bother visiting Delphi City, one of the nicest in Greece. What a mistake! The city is small, very traditional, and offers unforgettable views. The cute little town lies on the slope of Mount Parnassos, some 10 minutes from the archaeological remains. You have to walk next to the road. No worries, there’s a safe sidewalk.
The Museum of Delphic Festivals is at the entrance. It’s a house from 1927 with a nice courtyard with views. The Orthodox Churches of Saint Nicolas and Saint Constantine are two blocks from there, on the main square. The European Cultural Center of Delphi is at the end of the town. The contemporary building holds cultural activities, conferences, and exhibits.
Walk along Delphi’s Hiking Routes
Delphi is perfect for hiking. Since the area is on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, you can see the gulf, the sea, and endless rolling hills. The walk from the city and around the temples is fantastic and not that hard. You have a big area to cover. Obviously, walking about Delphi Town is fun too.
Our favorite trek is from Delphi to the seaside town of Itea. Locals know the path as Kirra Delphi. It’s an ancient path with lots of nature. The entire walk should take 3 hours. However, you can stop anytime and come back. Likewise, if you are tired, hop on an inexpensive taxi in Itea. Do not forget a hat and a recycled bottle of water.
Spend Some Time in Arachova
Before you reach Delphi, you will pass Arachova Town. The cute little town is some 7 miles (10 km) from the remains. People from all over the country visit in winter to ski on Mount Parnassus. Arachova has a special place in the heart of the Greeks. The final battle against the Ottomans took place here in 1826.
The Arachova Clock Tower is the city’s main attraction. The 18th Century tower is in the center and offers epic views. From there, walk to the Arachova Folklore Museum. The tiny museum is fun and free! The Saint Nicolas and Saint Giorgios Churches are nearby. Don’t worry if you get hungry. The food in Arachova is absolutely delicious.
Where to Stay in Delphi
The best hotel in Delphi is the Amalia, at the end of town. It’s a luxury hotel with state-of-the-art facilities, including a splendid pool set in lush gardens. We used it a lot when we visited in summer! In winter, you can chill by the terrace with a huge fireplace. If you like architecture, stay here.
Delphi has hotels for all tastes and budgets. Our favorite is the Arion Hotel in the center of town. We are obsessed with views, and the Arion has the best in Delphi. It’s a family-run boutique hotel with super comfortable rooms. Book the superior room with a balcony and sea views. The complimentary breakfast is homemade!
Where to Eat and Drink
Delphi has a plethora of restaurants. Our favorite tavern is Dion. They serve simple top quality Greek food. Locals consider it the best in Delphi. To eat with fantastic views head to Taverna Vakhos. The food is as great as in Dion, but their beer and wine list is far larger. Book in advance to get the best tables.
You can have a quick but delicious gyros anywhere. Choose your favorite joint and enjoy. The same applies to coffee. Greeks are brilliant baristas. Ask for the coffee you like, choose a place with views, and be happy. There are a couple of local bakeries that offer homemade pita pies! For cocktails, we recommend Phileo Café Bar. Sip your favorite while admiring the views.
When to Visit Delphi
Anytime is a good time to visit Delphi. Just like the rest of Greece, Delphi enjoys splendid weather all year round. That said, the best time to visit is from September to November and from April to June. The temperature in Delphi throughout the year goes from 32 F (0 C) to 86 F (30 C).
However, it does snow in winter. Nothing to complain about! You won’t believe how beautiful Delphi is under a thin blanket of snow. If you like skiing, visit in winter. You can ski mount Paranassos nearby. Take note that summer can be too hot. Bring proper shoes and a recycled bottle of water. If it’s too hot, we usually stay in from noon to 3PM.
Useful Tips
Our biggest advice to you is to spend at least one night in Delphi. Most people go for the day, rush through the temples, and go back exhausted to Athens. You will need some time to visit the remains and to enjoy nature. Besides, you won’t believe how nice the nights are in Delphi. Since most tourists leave in the afternoon, you’ll have it all to yourself.
We cannot stress enough how hot it can get in Greece in summer. That’s why you must take it easy. Wear light clothes, proper shoes, sunscreen, and a hat. In winter, bring appropriate footwear. Roads and streets can be slippery. If you plan on going up the mountain, you will need a thick coat.
Other Nice Places in the Area
Delphi is in the center of the Attiki Peninsula, north of the Peloponnese. Therefore, it’s very easy to go to Nafpaktos, some 60 miles (100 km) away. It’s an incredible journey next to the gulf. From Nafpaktos, you can continue to Patras and then head back to Athens. You can do this route through a combination of train, bus, and boat.
You can also stop in Chalkida on your way to Delphi. It’s the main city in Evia, Greece’s second-largest island. It’s one of our favorite places near Athens. As mentioned, you can also go from Thessaloniki to Meteora and then to Delphi. We are talking about Greece here, one of the prettiest countries in the world!