A day trip from Athens to Delphi: Our Experience
Alex - A former corporate business executive, I am a historical fiction writer. For almost ten years, Greece was one of my second homes due to my business responsibilities.
Baby Iris joined our travels since she was able to sit up.
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If you plan a day trip from Athens to Delphi, this post has you covered. Based on our experience, we tried to provide all the information you might need.
Nestled amidst the rugged landscapes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, held the promise of unraveling the secrets of ancient Greece against the backdrop of fall foliage.
Steeped in mythology and revered as the navel of the world, Delphi captivated my senses, offering a glimpse into the mystique that has drawn seekers of wisdom and pilgrims for centuries.
After spending more than a month exploring the Peloponnese Peninsula and visiting Olympia, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Monemvasia, and many other stunning places, we went to Athens to meet up with local friends. We’ve already been to Greece’s capital many times before but were looking forward to seeing places outside of the city.
From Athens, our next stop was Thessaloniki. Thus, a stop at the Ancient Sanctuary of Delphi was a must.
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Athens day trip to Delphi
What is Delphi?
Delphi is a town in Greece, home to the ancient sacred district from which the famous Oracle of Delphi operated.
The Oracle was not a place but a person, or more precisely, up to three priestesses at any given time, called Pythia.
There are various stories about how Pythia operated, from an intoxicated virgin priestess providing answers during a drug-induced trance to a dignified lady giving well-articulated advice in a sober state.
At its peak, the Oracle was the equivalent of a professional consultancy firm.
Like any versed consultant, however, Pythia covered herself for any eventuality. The story of King Croesus provides an excellent cautionary tale in this regard.
King Croesus was the king of Lydia and the wealthiest man alive at the time. One day, bored to count his money, not unlike some of today’s unhinged billionaires, he considered war against the Persian Empire. So he asked the Oracle of Delphi about his chances of success. Croesus was told he would destroy a mighty empire if he attacked the Persians.
Confident in his success, the Lydian king went to war. Unfortunately for him, the Persians won, and the Lydian Empire was destroyed. Thus, the prophecy was fulfilled but not quite the way Croesus imagined it, I presume.
Lastly, the place acted as a kind of ancient bank. Many prosperous cities used part of their treasury to erect custom-made structures. It was about a safe and neutral place to store their offerings to the god Apollo, as much as a spectacular political statement: “Hey, we are so wealthy that we had to build a magnificent temple in the fanciest of places just to deposit our gifts to the gods.“
Prepare to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Alexander the Great and Nero, the infamous Roman Emperor.
Where is the Ancient Sanctuary of Delphi?
Delphi is situated in central Greece, circa 180 km west of Athens.
It is a 2.5 hours drive by car or bus.
How to get to Delphi?
There are two straightforward options: by car or bus.
We went by car, driving north on the highway and then turning west on Greek National Road 48 (EO 48).
Highways are not free, and you’ll pay as you go at the different toll booths. You can pay by card and cash at the manned booths and coins at the automated ones. The price can be between 1 and 4 euros per segment, but I must warn you that the segments are annoyingly short.
The quality of the road is okay; the only challenge is finding a parking space near the Archeological Precinct.
Read also: Driving in Greece – Your Complete Guide.
Delphi day trip from Athens
The most comfortable option is booking a guided tour, including bus fare. You can relax during the journey and don’t have to worry about where to park.
Also, having a professional guide taking you through the history and significance of each monument can be a worthwhile experience.
Here is a great Athens day trip to Delphi guided tour!
What to see and do in Delphi: Delphi itinerary
Delphi Map
The Sanctuary of Athena
Circa a kilometer downroad from the main archeological site, the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaea (“Athena of forethought”) houses the Tholos of Delphi.
The Tholos is a circular building with 20 Doric columns forming the exterior circle and 10 Corinthian columns in the interior.
Today, three of the Doric columns have been reconstructed, making the structure one of the most popular sites in Delphi for photography.
The Gymnasium of Delphi
Nearby the Sanctuary of Athena, you’ll find the remains of the Gymnasium. If archeologists are correct, the place was a kind of gym where the visitors could exercise.
It comprised two main buildings, one for “indoor” activities during bad weather and the other for “outdoor” exercises.
Furthermore, there are remains of auxiliary structures such as baths and changing rooms.
The Treasuries of Delphi
As you enter the principal archeological site and start climbing the mountain on the sacred way, you’ll pass by the remains of some of the treasuries.
Probably the most impressive is the now-restored Treasury of the Athenians, built to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Marathon. In 490 BC, after the Greeks defeated the Persians in battle, the courier, Philippides, ran 40 km from the battlefield to Athens, announced their victory to the worried inhabitants, and then collapsed and died from exhaustion. Hence, the modern competition of running a similar distance is called a marathon.
The people of Argos built one of the largest treasuries. Completed in 380 BC, it was inspired by the Temple of Hera on the Argolis.
Other noteworthy treasuries are those of the Syconians, Thebans, Boetians, and Siphnians.
The Temple of Apollo
The entire district revolved around the god Apollo. Understandably, the temple raised in his honor was one of the central monuments.
The ruins you’ll see today belong to a temple erected in the fourth century BC on top of an earlier variant from the sixth century BC, which was built upon an even older structure.
The Seat of the Oracle of Delphi
Few traces remain of the actual place where Pythia uttered her oracular statements, especially after the Christian Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, destroyed the site in an attempt to root out pagan beliefs. Ancient witnesses describe it as a hollowed-out cavern beneath the Temple of Apollo.
The Omphalos of Delphi
The Omphalos is a monument found at the archeological site of Delphi. Made of marble, it was thought to depict the navel of the Earth.
According to the legend, Zeus, the king of the gods, sent two eagles to find the center of the Earth. When the birds converged above Delphi, the god placed the stone at that site. The original monument is housed at the museum, with a rudimentary copy placed at the original site.
The Ancient Theatre of Delphi
Say what you will about the ancient Greeks, but they knew how to capitalize on fantastic landscapes.
Built uphill from the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Theatre offers a spectacular view of the temple complex below and the valley beyond it. One can only imagine the excitement of the 5,000 spectators enjoying a play in this majestic setting.
The Ancient Stadium of Delphi
If you still have the energy to climb to the top of the mountain, your efforts will be handsomely rewarded. The Ancient Stadium of Delphi lies at the highest point of the Delphic site, overlooking the entire area. It hosted various field sports and was probably where musical performances were held—and here we were thinking that holding concerts in a stadium is a modern concept.
The Delphi Archeological Museum
Further up the road from the main archeological site lies the Delphi Archeological Museum. It contains many findings from the site and is one of Greece’s most visited museums. If you are in Delphi, you should definitely make time to walk its rooms and marvel at the objects on exhibit.
Opening Hours & Prices
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi
April to October: 08:00 – 20:00, Tuesday 10:00 – 17:00 – 12 EUR
November to March: 08:30 – 15:30 – 6 EUR
Delphi Archaeological Site
Every day: 08.00 – 20.00
Closed on January 1st, March 25, May 1st, Easter Sunday, December 25, and December 26.
The ticket price is valid for both the Archeological Museum and the site.
What to bring on a Delphi day trip from Athens
We visited Delphi from Athens on a hot October day. Even though we expected the weather to be chilly, walking at the Archeological site and climbing the many steep stairs still brought sweat to our faces.
So if you are planning to visit during summer, make sure to bring lots of water and high sun protection.
A hat and something to cover your shoulders is also a good idea since there is little shade.
Delphi’s archaeological site involves some walking, often on uneven terrain. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to navigate the ancient paths and steep slopes. Don’t come wearing flip-flops.
Don’t forget your camera or smartphone to capture the breathtaking landscapes and architectural marvels.
If you are visiting during spring or fall, you might want to bring an umbrella or raincoat in case you catch one of the rare rainy days.
Choose one of the best Delphi day tours from Athens
We chose to drive there ourselves since we were either way heading to the northern part of mainland Greece, but here are 3 of the tours we would have chosen for a day trip from Athens to Delphi:
From Athens: Delphi Archaeological Site Full-Day Guided Trip
Athens: Delphi Day Trip with Licensed Guided Tour and Pickup
Delphi Small-Group Day Trip From Athens
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