Any destination in Greece offers you hundreds of magical places to visit, although there are undoubtedly regions that capture the attention of tourists more than others, as is the case with Athens. The Greek capital mixes history and modernity like few others. If after getting to know it you still want to know more, read on, because we are going to talk about what to see near Athens.
To make the experience even more enjoyable, you can reach all destinations by car, so during the trip you can make some pit stops and discover other amazing places.
Olympia
Famous for being the site of the first Olympic Games in history in 776 BC, this city preserves an archaeological area in which, among other things, the remains of the temple of Zeus, the studio of Phidias (one of the most popular Greek sculptors in the classical world), and the gymnasium in which athletes prepared for various athletic events are still visible.
You can get from Athens to Olympia by highway, the distance is 350 kilometers. If you want to make a road trip in the purest classic style, you can take the Corinto-Tripoli-Arcadia route. It will take you about five hours, but along the way you will come across towns and cities where you won't be able to resist making a stop.
Meteora: a must when it comes to what to see near Athens
In Greek, Meteora means "rocks in the air", and you will understand why this site is so named as soon as you catch a glimpse of it on the horizon. If you think the houses hanging from the rocks are spectacular, wait until you see the 13 monasteries built on cliffs that were once exposed when the sea level dropped.
The first of these monasteries dates back to the 14th century, but to this day it is still unknown how they managed to bring up the materials and build in a place with such difficult access. Because, of course, at that time there were no roads or highways.
In its pomp there were 24 monasteries. Thirteen are still standing today, and six of them can be entered for a visit.
The drive from Athens to Meteora is not far, but it takes about five hours because the roads are not exactly state-of-the-art highways. Therefore, what we recommend in this case is to spend the night when you get there (you can stay in the beautiful Kalambaka or Kastraki) and enjoy an intense visit the next day.
Mycenae
This city also appears on every itinerary when looking for what to see near Athens, because it is about two hours away and is one of the most popular historical sites of Ancient Greece.
One of the most essential sites to visit in Mycenae is the Lion Gate. If you look at the markings on the floor, you can see that this gate was really big. The opening measures no less than 2.95 meters high and 3.10 meters wide.
Just at the entrance you will find the lions that give the gate its name. Two rampant figures that, in reality, are not lions but leopards.
Another must-see site in the Treasury of Atreus, a circular building once filled with riches, and believed by many to have been the tomb of King Agamemnon.
Delphi: not to be missed if you are interested in what to see near Athens
Today, Delphi is a small tourist town on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus, but in ancient times it was of great importance. Who has not heard of the Oracle of Delphi?
In this beautiful town you can enjoy spectacular views of the valley and, in addition, take a look at its history. In its archaeological museum you can see the Auriga of Delphi, a bronze sculpture commemorating a victory in the Pythian Games of 478 BC, this will give you an idea of the importance that the Greeks gave to sport, coming to treat athletes as heroes.
Undoubtedly, during a visit to Delphi the best thing to do is to visit the archaeological site, where parts of the Temple of Apollo, a large theater and the stadium are still visible.
Now you know what to see near Athens to make the most of your stay in Greece. Sightseeing will be much easier and more comfortable if you have a rental car in Athens, so you will be glad to know that we are also at your disposal.
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