Athens 5-day itinerary
Greece
Where to go and what to see in Athens to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer John Malathronas.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Delphi Archaeological Site and Museum
Last updated: 10 November, 2022
One of the most evocative and intriguing archaeological sites in Greece, Delphi was the site of the Oracle – a pythia (priestess), who would channel the god Apollo whilst in a trance. Some of her vague prophesies appear in Greek historical texts, others are still proverbs today.
The extensive site, considered by the ancients to be the Earth’s nave, is full of ‘treasuries’ built to thank the Oracle. The excavated, superbly fashioned artefacts can be visited in its must-see museum.
Alongside the Temple of Apollo and treasuries, the site’s other main draw is the spectacular theatre, dating back to the 4th century BC, with a capacity of over 5,000. Delphi was the location of the Pythian Games, rivals to the Olympics in antiquity, which took place in the amphitheatre.
Don’t miss
Don’t miss the stunning statue of The Charioteer in the museum, one of the few surviving bronzes from antiquity. Also look out for the Omphalos of Delphi – a marble, navel-shaped sculpture, discovered on the site and now housed in the museum. The Greeks believed that its place at the site of the Oracle represented the very centre of the earth.
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Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The site is 2.5 hours’ drive from the centre of Athens.
As Delphi is the most popular day trip from Athens, so there are plenty of organised tours. These have the advantage of organising all the logistics for you, and going with an expert guide whose insights will bring the site to life.
If you prefer to go independently, it’s fairly easy to self-drive, which has the advantage of more flexibility and allowing you more time at the site. You can also take the public KTEL bus from Liossion station. There are three buses from Athens daily (two at weekends) and as many returning. If you do take the bus, it’s best to overnight in the village as you won’t have much time to roam the site before you return. Pick up a map of the site at the ticket booth and/or download one of the numerous audio guides online.
When to do it
The museum and site are open daily all year (times vary greatly). There’s free admission on every first Sunday of the month from November 1st to March 31st.
The best time to visit is in the morning, ideally before 11am, when the sun will be lot and most of the crowds and coach tours have yet to arrive.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Delphi One Day Trip from Athens
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After meeting your guide in Athens, hear tales about the ancient Greeks and their lives in Delphi while travelling by air-conditioned coach....
€58 | Rating 4.53 / 5 [531 ratings]
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From Athens: Full-Day Bus Trip to Delphi and Arachova
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Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi, the epicenter of wisdom, on a full-day bus trip from Athens. Admire the breathtaking mount...
€61 | Rating 4.69 / 5 [94 ratings]
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Delphi One Day Trip from Athens
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Guided tour of the Temple of Apollo and the world famous Oracle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
See the Athenian Treasure
Explore Delphi Mus...
€88 | Rating 4.37 / 5 [40 ratings]
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Delphi Guided Small Group Day Tour from Athens
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Joining the "Delphi highlights small group tour" you'll spend a day exploring one of the world's most famous archeological sites.P...
€110 | Rating 4.61 / 5 [44 ratings]
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