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If you are planning a trip to Greece and considering a day trip to Delphi from Athens, I’m here to tell you to book it.
Delphi is a unique spot, where archaeology, energy, mythos, and landscape come together to offer something truly beautiful to the visitor.
As someone with family roots in the region, I’ve had the chance to experience its beauty both as a kid and later as a visitor — and in a professional setting as a tour leader.
This short guide will take you through how to plan your visit as a short escape or day trip from Athens, the best ways to combine your stop with other highlights in the region, and what not to miss.
Let’s get started.
Quick Highlights for Delphi
✨ Favourite TOURS and activities to book ✨
- Private guided tour of Delphi with licensed guide. Self book with Penny Kolomvoutsou
- Delphi Archaeological Site & Museum Entry
- Delphi Group Guided Walking Tour and Admission Ticket
- Extra special: Tandem Paragliding Flight in Delphi
🏨 Where to STAY if you extend your visit
- Amalia Hotel – beautiful views and great facilities
- Nidimos Hotel – budget-friendly and walkable to the site
- Fedriades Delphi Hotel – great views and boutique vibe
🚗 Best way to GET THERE
- Self-drive from Athens with a rental car via Discover Cars
- Or book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups
- Another option: KTEL bus (slower, but budget-friendly)
🍽️ Where to Eat
- Don’t miss Taverna Vakhos – one of the best in the region
- Shop and eat local cheese, pasta and yoghurt in one of the little deli shops in Delphi or Arahova
I use and compare prices for car rentals, with Discovercars.com. It is a giant rental and comparison site on the market and it has a lot of perks that make sense if you travel often.
Once you head to Discover Cars, you’ll find an easy search engine to filter by location, dates and pick up location.
Tip: Always check a few different pick up locations when booking a rental car.
Is Delphi worth visiting?
My answer is definitely yes. I see a lot of people debating this as worthy or not, so hopefully this helps you decide.
More than just an archaeological site, Delphi is a place where you can see a completely different side of Greece. It’s a fantastic road trip destination through olive groves, forests, and winding mountain roads and it gives you a chance to stop at other lesser-known gems along the way.
You can visit the winter resort town of Arahova, stop for grilled meat and walk by the waterfalls in Livadia, or combine your trip with a visit to the gorgeous seaside town of Galaxidi.
Where is Delphi?
Delphi is located in the region of Central Greece.
Looking at the map, you’ll see it’s not far from Athens and can technically be done as a there-and-back day trip. But if you have the time, I would absolutely recommend making it a proper weekend or at least an overnight trip. This gives you the freedom to take it slow and explore other places nearby as well.
What are the options for visiting Delphi?
If you’re planning to visit the archaeological site and museum, you have two main options:
- Drive yourself and purchase entry tickets on-site for a self-guided visit
- Join a pre-booked guided tour with transport included
Both options work well depending on your budget and time. But no matter which one you choose, please do yourself a favor and book a licensed guide to take you through the site and museum.
My all-time favorite (and I’ve worked with quite a few) is Penny Kolomvoutsou.
Her knowledge is just unparalleled, and the way she weaves stories, myths, and history together makes the entire site come alive.
Small tip: To book a licensed guide in Greece, you can either check the official guide association website or search for professionals by location (for example, “licensed guides Athens” or “licensed guides Peloponnese”). You can also reach out to them directly via other websites that have regional and local options.
Overview of the Site and Museum
You’re going to want to estimate time to visit both the museum and the archaeological site.
In terms of the terrain keep in mind that Delphi is uphill and will require walking, so make sure to bring good footwear and a light jacket even if it’s summer. The Stadium part is not always open, but is worth it if you want to explore on your own, and is often skipped by most visitors.
Some of my favorite pieces in the museum include:
The Charioteer of Delphi (Oinioxos) – one of the most famous and best-preserved bronze statues from antiquity. The level of detail is insane — from the folds of the robes to the delicate expression on his face. You’ll want to spend some time admiring it.
The Antinoos statue – the beautiful young man who was the lover of Emperor Hadrian. This statue always stands out to me because of the soft features and the story behind it. After Antinoos’ tragic death, Hadrian deified him and had statues of him placed all over the empire — and this one ended up here, in Delphi.
The museum is small but packed, and doesn’t overwhelm like some of the larger city museums. It’s the perfect way to ground your visit in history and get a sense of how powerful and sacred Delphi once was.
How much time should you spend in Delphi?
In terms of time estimation, a guided tour will take about 3hours but you can take extra time to browse, photograph and explore on your own after. This means it’s best if you plan for a morning start around 10 am or 11am so it’s not too hot and you have time for lunch and more exploration afterwards.
Tickets cost around 12 euro at the time but there are certain discounts available to students, and EU citizens under 25.
Where to stay in Delphi
The village of Delphi will be your first option when looking at accommodation. I’ve stayed at multiple boutique hotels here, including Nidimos Hotel, which is a great budget option.
Nearby Arachova has a more exclusive and often pricier vibe, since it’s considered the Mykonos of the winter for Athenians. The good thing is that Arachova has a peak season that starts with the ski resorts in the winter, so spring, autumn, and summer are better times to visit if you’re looking for good deals and fewer crowds.
Where to eat in Delphi
I don’t think I’ve suggested Taverna Vakhos to a single person or client who walked away dissatisfied. In addition to the great balcony view over the olive groves and the Gulf of Corinth, this family-run establishment is one of the best places to try less common Greek food options and expand your palette.
Make sure to try dishes like:
Dolmades (grapevine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs)
Gigantes (giant beans cooked in tomato sauce)
Horta (boiled mountain greens with lemon and olive oil)
Fried local cheese (formaela), pies, artichokes, and whatever else looks good on the day.
The dessert and wine options are also excellent.
Another great spot is Taverna To Patriko Mas, where I’ve had equally gorgeous meals.
If you want to lunch in nearby Arachova instead, stop at Kaplanis for mouth-watering grilled meats and hearty local dishes, or grab coffee at O Tea Pineis, which is a cozy tea and dessert house with a charming upstairs balcony where you can people-watch the main street.
Must-Have Experience in the Area: Olive Oil Tasting
Delphi is one of the main olive oil–producing regions in Greece, and the nearby family-run Mer des Oliviers de Delphes is the spot to go for an olive oil tasting.
The Kanatas family produces olive oil from some of the oldest olive groves in Greece and has received dozens of awards for flavor and quality. They also offer international shipping, in case you want to bring home a few bottles (which you probably will).
The spot is beautiful, with one of the best views in the area, and the tastings are hosted inside the Campground of Delphi. Make sure to stop here — it’s very much worth it!
What Else to See on Your Central Greece Road Trip
The short answer? There’s so much to see and do. Here are a few options to browse and decide on based on your time and interests:
Osios Loukas Monastery: A stunning UNESCO-listed Byzantine monastery, known for its mosaics and peaceful atmosphere.
Galaxidi: A mainland town that was once cut off with no road access and has a long seafaring tradition. Walk around the harbor and make sure to buy local jam and other handmade products from the small shops.
Amfissa: If you want to keep going, you can stop and have coffee at one of the best **traditional cafés** in the town of Amfissa. It’s a chill place to rest and take in a more authentic side of Central Greece.
Vagonetto Mining Park: If you’re staying in the area for more than two days, definitely consider Vagonetto. Here, you’ll learn about the mining history of Greece, the working conditions, and even go deep into an old, unused tunnel. A surprisingly great museum experience.
Villages (around Mt Parnassus): If you really want to experience Central Greece in a different way, a road trip through the Arvanitohoria villages around Mount Parnassus is a must. These get super busy during the winter but are actually best in spring and autumn. The meat quality is unsurpassed, and there are small wineries and beautiful hikes to explore in the area as well. Check out Eptalofos (Agoriani) for some of the best tavernas, and Polydrossos and a visit to Argyriou Winery.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Must Know When Visiting Greece
- Emergency: Dial 112 for all emergencies. For police, dial 100. For ambulance 166. For fire dial 199.
- Language: English is widely spoken in most tourist areas. Common phrases to learn are “Kalimera” (Good morning), “Yia” (Hello and Bye – informal), and “Efharisto” (Thank you).
- Water: Tap water is safe in Athens, mainland Greece and a small number of islands. Always ask beforehand.
- Driving: Right-hand side, international driving permit recommended. Book your rental car with Discover Cars for the best rates and comparisons across all major and local companies.
- Accommodation: Booking.com for the most options on hotels, apartments and hostels. Free cancellation in a lot of places and no need to pre-pay. Great for their rewards points system.
- Islands: There are a lot of islands, spread out around the country. Start with a map or ferry service to get an idea of travel times. Ferry Scanner is the best for ferry bookings to the Greek islands.
- Activities: From cultural sights to day trips, food tours and city guides, use Get Your Guide.
- Public Transport: For Athens, use the Athens Metro. If you are not renting a car, use Trains (Hellenic Train) or KTEL (Public Buses) services.
- Domestic Airlines: The main airlines for air travel are Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. I recommend Aegean Airlines and its rewards program.
- Taxi: Always use a taxi app, instead of flagging down a taxi from the road. Use FREE Now (formerly BEAT).
- Culture: A siesta nap is still common in less touristy areas. This also means businesses will close between 2 PM – 5 PM. Except for hospitality businesses, everything is closed on Sundays.
