A Drive around Attica
The region of Attica, which includes and surrounds Athens, offers
visitors a snapshot of Greece in miniature. This drive around Attica visits beach resorts,
small villages, old churches, and a number of fascinating classical sites.
Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion
Taking in the best of Attica's attractions, this route begins in central Athens and winds along the coast, finishing at Chalkida, the gateway to the island of Evia, the second largest in Greece after Crete. If you don't want to do the full drive, you could head back for the center of Athens when you've finished visiting Marathon.
The drive around Attica is roughly 120 miles (190 kms) and should take about three hours without stops.
From the center of Athens follow Leoforos Syngrou which heads southwest out of the centre and becomes Highway 91. This eventually swings left to take you southeast along the coast, the Athens Riviera, with the Aegean Sea on your right. It's a welcome relief after the bustle of the city.
A Drive around Attica
Vouliagmeni
After driving for about 15 minutes along the coast you come to the Athens seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni. This is a popular beach resort and a welcome escape, especially in the summer, for those who live right in the city. Here you could take a break to stroll along the sandy beaches, do some windsurfing, paragliding, sailing, or scuba diving, or simply relax in an outdoor cafe.
Temple of Poseidon
The Temple of Poseidon Comes into View...
Continue south along the coastal road and after about 45
minutes the impressive ruined Temple of Poseidon comes into view, sitting on
top of the headland of Akra Sounion, Cape Sounion, and visible from miles away.
It's a popular spot at sunset, when Athenians drive out for a meal or a drink at the perfectly-positioned cafe-restaurant here.
Sunset at Cape Sounion
Markopoulon
After visiting the temple return to Highway 91 and turn right. Almost immediately this becomes highway 89 and takes you north up the eastern coast of Attica. It veers inland through the fertile interior to the small but busy market town of Markopoulon, which is about 40 minutes from Cape Sounion. Here you can stock up on provisions, fill up with petrol, or have a walk round and stretch your legs.
Our Pick of the Guides to Greece
Vineyards spread out around the town, and several tavernas
will provide you with an authentic Greek lunch - no tourist menus here. Look
out for a bakery and try some of the local bread for which Markopoulon is
known. There are also some small chapels you can visit. Look for a bell to ring
to gain admission, or ask the first person you see where the key-holder can be
found.
Rafina
View from Near Rafina in Winter
When you've finished in Markopoulon retrace your route back
to Highway 89 and turn left. Almost immediately you should turn right onto
Highway 85, which brings you to Rafina, after about 30 minutes of pleasant
coastal driving. Rafina is a port and a resort, and if you want to stop just
follow the signs for 'Ferries' and you should be able to find somewhere to
park.
Lots of ferries to Evia, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, and the North-East Aegean Islands go from here. If you haven't yet eaten it also makes a good spot for lunch in one of the many waterfront restaurants.
Marathon
From Rafina head west out of town to reach highway 83 and
continue north. In about 10 minutes, passing vacation homes and villas on the
way, you reach the smaller resort of Nea Makri. Five minutes or so beyond here
you reach the town and ancient site of Marathon.
This is where the Battle of Marathon took place in 490BC, when the Athenians defeated the much larger Persian army. The route that was taken by the messenger, Phedippedes, who was sent to relay the news to Athens covers 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 kms), the length of the marathon race. The messenger died after delivering his news.
The Athenian dead were buried under a simple but large burial mound. Watch for the sign before you reach the town of Marathon itself. After visiting the site continue north on Highway 83 and you'll soon reach the small but very informative Archaeological Museum. For more information visit our separate page devoted to Marathon.
Completing your Drive around Attica
Continue on the winding Highway 83 until you reach the village of Agios Stefanos, where you have a choice. Just beyond the village is the main Athens-Thessaloniki highway. This is Highway 1 but in places is confusingly also the E75. If you want to return to Athens, turn left on Highway 1.
To continue the drive turn right onto the highway and after about 45 minutes watch for a right turn marked for Evia and Chalkida, its capital. Alternatively, continuing north on Highway 1 would get you to Volos and the Pelion Peninsula in about three hours. Another 2-3 hours beyond Volos and you would reach Thessaloniki.
If you choose Evia, we've also got a recommended drive around Northern Evia for you.
Other driving pages...
The best drives in Greece chosen and driven by Mike Gerrard of Greece Travel Secrets including from Ioannina to Meteora, the Prespa Lakes and the Mani.
Around Monastiraki is the flea market, Athens cathedral, Kerameikos Cemetery, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art and the Psirri and Gazi nightlife districts.
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.
The travel tale Our Hire Car in Crete describes what it’s like when you go driving in Greece and get off the beaten track, resulting in kindnesses.
Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.
The Athens Museum of Cycladic Art houses a remarkable collection of Cycladic figurines and other items and is one of the best museums in Athens.
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
An account of driving in Greece for Greece Travel Secrets including links to the best drives in Greece, practical information and a note of some of the hazards.
The Athens War Museum is a fascinating look at Greek history through the lens of warfare from ancient battles to the Greek War of Independence and World War II.
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Monastiraki Flea Market, followed by Sunday lunch at Sigalas on Monastiraki Square
Driving in Greece practical information including speed limits, fines, drink-driving, buying petrol and other advice for driving in Greece.
This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
The Athens Acropolis has the city's most iconic building, the Parthenon, along with other historic buildings and is where the Elgin Marbles were taken from.
The Pnyx hill near the Acropolis is one of Athens' true hidden gems, a place to wander freely away from the crowds and discover ancient places and mysteries.
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the best things to see in Athens, and the best museum in the world for seeing Greece's archaeological treasures.
The Athens Agora or ancient market is a must-see site and one of the best things to do in Athens with its restored arcade building, the Stoa, and its museum.
The Athens National Historical Museum is in the former Greek Parliament building and houses an archive of historical artefacts and documents.
Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.
The best views in Athens include views from the Acropolis and of the Acropolis from the top of some of the city’s several hills and from hotels and restaurants.
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
The Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum is housed in a beautiful villa with an underground wing and lovely gardens too.
There are lots of flights from Athens to Santorini as well as a ferry service from Piraeus, with flights to Santorini leaving from Athens International Airport.
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