Attica is the triangular peninsula jutting into the Aegean with Athens at its centre. It is Greece's most populous region: over a third of Greeks live here. But you need only leave the city to find rocky coasts, pine-clad hills and ancient sanctuaries, all within a half-day trip.
What to visit
| Place | Distance from Athens | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Sounion | about 70 km | The Temple of Poseidon on the headland at sunset; Lord Byron carved his name on a column |
| Marathon | about 40 km | The mound of the 192 Athenians who fell in 490 BC, the museum and the marathon route |
| Brauron (Vravrona) | about 40 km | The Sanctuary of Artemis, where Athenian girls served the goddess |
| Eleusis (Elefsina) | about 20 km | The sanctuary of the Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone; European Capital of Culture 2023 |
| Rhamnous | about 50 km | Sanctuary of Nemesis in a remote spot by the sea |
| Kaisariani Monastery | on Hymettus | Byzantine monastery in the woods |
| Daphni Monastery | about 10 km | UNESCO site, with its famous Pantocrator |
| Lavrio | about 60 km | The ancient silver mines that funded Athens' fleet |
The Athens Riviera
The south-west coast from Faliro to Sounion is called the Athens Riviera: organised beaches, marinas, bars and villas. At Vouliagmeni you can swim in a thermal lake at 22-29 °C all year; Glyfada is the nightlife and shopping district. Tram and buses link the coast with the centre.
Ports and islands
Almost all ships to the islands leave from Attica: from Piraeus, Rafina (for Andros, Tinos, Mykonos) and Lavrio (for Kea, Kythnos, Lemnos). The region also includes the Saronic islands, Kythira and Antikythera.
Mountains and nature
Mount Hymettus, famous for honey, Pentelicus, source of the Parthenon's marble, and Parnitha, with its national park and cable car, offer trails a few kilometres from the city. Sadly many of Attica's forests have been hit by major fires in recent years.
See also Athens and places of myth.