10 spring destinations near Athens
1. Nafplio
In the spring, Nafplio gets a different charm because at this time the bougainvillea slowly bloom, filling the alleys with magical colours and intense fragrances.
So wander around the old town to discover the best spots for photos.
But there is another reason to visit it in spring. At this time the weather favours visiting the numerous attractions: walk the castle of Palamidi, go by boat to Bourtzi (4 euros), follow the path of Arvanitia to enjoy the sea air, go to the clock of Akronafplia to admire the view which is also a very nice spot for sunset.
One more plus is the easy access even with the suburban buses, within just 2 hours with a ticket price of 26 euros return. An ideal destination for one, two or three days.
The accommodations I recommend in Nafplio
- (€€€) 3sixty 4-star suites a few meters from Syntagma Square, one of the most well-known hotels in the old city
- (€€) Aethra Bootique Rooms elegant rooms with a beautiful courtyard in the old town
- (€€) Liberty of Nafplio 4 star hotel just outside the old town. In the roof garden, enjoy food and coffee with a view of Palamidi castle
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2. Nafpaktos - villages of mountainous Nafpaktia
With the unique venetian port as a reference point, Nafpaktos is a place you should visit at least one spring.
There are plenty of sights worth seeing from the venetian and ottoman past. The castle (one of the largest in Greece), the Fethiye Mosque, the Vezir Mosque, the Iron Gate (Sideroporta), the old turkish hammam, and a modern one, the statue of Cervantes, the greatest poet of the Spanish language who fought in the naval battle of Nafpaktos.
In Stenopazaro, get to know the city's night life, while for chikdren activities, go to the Zelios Gi Botanical Garden.
It is also worth visiting the mountainous Nafpaktia and specifically Ano Chora, a peaceful village, by following an amazing route through forests with chestnuts, beeches and at higher altitudes with firs.
The accommodations I recommend in Nafpaktos
- (€€) Porto Enetiko a hotel on the venetian harbor with a view of the harbor and the castle
- (€€) Apollon Library Suites a hotel with suites with themes from the world of books, in the center of Nafpaktos
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3. Paralio Astros - Monastery of Panagia Malevi - Agios Petros
Here is a route that combines mountain, sea and religious tourism for those who are interested in.
Starting from Paralio Astros, a peaceful town on the coast of Arkadia with a picturesque harbour and a castle, you proceed towards Mount Parnonas to the Monastery Panagia Malevi.
The liturgy there is sung by women, so for that alone it is worth going. The monastery also has a garden with roses that are in bloom at that time.
After Malevi continue to the village Agios Petros. The church of Apostles Peter and Paul of the 19th century dominates the village square. It is worth sitting there to eat and dessert.
The opening hours of Malevi Monastery according to the "Monasteries of Greece" website are:
- Monday closed
- Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The accommodations I recommend in Paralio Astros
- (€€) Anigraia luxury apartments with fireplace, swimming pool, view of the Argolic gulf, in Kato Vervena
- (€€) Filoxenia a hotel a few meters from the center of Paralio Astros
- (€€) Argiropouloi a hotel at Atsiganos beach
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4. Aegina
For an escape to Argosaronicos, Aegina is the place to be.
After a short cruise of an hour or so with the conventional ship and at a favourable price you arrive at the picturesque port with the neoclassical buildings. There are many shops for food and coffee and if you sit on a balcony you will have the best view. Also stroll the picturesque alleys of the city for discoveries.
The main attractions are the ancient temple of Aphaia Athena and the temple of Agios Nektarios. Before you go, find out about the coach tours organized by Aegina Tours.
The accommodations I recommend in Aegina
- (€€€) Ulrika Hotel in a peaceful location with an amazing sea view just outside the town of Aegina
- (€€) Rastoni Hotel hotel in an estate with peanut trees, with warm spaces dominated by wood. With sea view, just outside the city of Aegina
- (€) Hotel Aegina a hotel with elegant rooms in the city center very close to the port
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5. Poros
If you need genuine island scenery, that is, white houses, then Poros is what you are looking for.
In the picturesque port, the boats come and go, while there are many tavenrs and places for coffee. The things you can do are to go up the clock tower to see the view and visit the Archaeological Museum. If you feel like hiking, go all the way to Neorio to see the city of Poros from the best point of view.
Small island as it is, beyond the town there are only beaches and the countryside, so you don't need a car. You can go either from Piraeus or by car from Peloponnese.
The accommodations I recommend in Poros
- (€€) Helen Hotel a 2 star hotel with swimming pool on Askeli beach
- (€€) Xenia Poros Image Hotel a 4 star hotel in Neorio with an amazing view of the city of Poros
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6. Epidaurus
A peaceful destination in Peloponnese known for its ancient theater but not for its natural beauty.
At the port, sit to eat and for coffee watching the pleasure boats come and go. Also at Stork cafe overlooking the Saronic Sea is very nice. Definitely visit the ancient theater to check out its well-known acoustics and the archaeological site which is quite large. They are closed on religious and national holidays.
This excursion is combined with Nafplion, which is half an hour away, so you can extend your stay by one day.
The accommodations I recommend in Epidaurus
- (€€) Stork Design Suites luxury suites in a peaceful spot overlooking the sea outside Epidaurus
- (€) Apollon Hotel on the best beach of Epidaurus, Gialasi. All rooms have a sea view
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7. Chalkida
The reference point of Chalkida is the Evripos bridge where the waters rush and change direction every 6 hours due to the pull of the moon.
The promenade along the strait is lovely. It is worth seeing the Karambaba castle, the church of Agia Paraskevi and the mosque. It is also worth going to Nea Artaki, a picturesque port very close by.
This excursion is an easy one-day trip especially if you live in the northern suburbs of Athens.
The accommodations I recommend in Chalkida
- (€€) Hotel Almira Mare a 4 star hotel on the beach of Agios Minas. It offers elegant rooms, a swimming pool and a restaurant on the sea
- (€€) Hotel Anthidon Estate luxury villas on a farm, with swimming pool, pool bar and restaurant
- (€) Palirroia a 3 star hotel on the Evripos strait
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8. Corinthia Prefecture
The Stream of the Mills in Evrostini
The prefecture of Corinthia, with countless mountain and sea options, cannot be left out of the list.
Concerning the seaside places the options are: Vrachati, Kiato, Kato Diminio, Melissi, Sykia, Xylokastro, Derveni. There are two gateways to mountainous Corinthia, from Xylokastro and Derveni.
From Xylokastro you reach Trikala in just 45 minutes. From Derveni you go to Evrostini in half an hour, where there is the Stream of the Mills, a landscape like a fairy tale, which will appeal to young and old alike. From Trikala and Evrostini you can go to the Feneos plateau. Lake Doxa and Goura village are located there. Near Trikala is also Lake Dassiou.
The accommodations I recommend in the prefecture of Corinthia
- (€€€) Sikyon Coast Hotel And Resort a 4 star hotel on the wonderful Sykia beach in Xylokastro, in the Pefkias forest
- (€€€) Miltilon luxury rooms in the middle district of Trikala surrounded by nature
- (€) Lido Hotel a 3 star hotel in Melissi, in front of the beach, with sea view and restaurant
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9. Arachova
Arachova is not only the ski resort but a destination for the whole year.
In spring, nature changes and you can admire the landscape in all its glory. Of course it remains a cosmopolitan destination, just like in winter, with countless options for dining and entertainment.
Don't miss to visit the archaeological site of Delphi, Agoriani, the seaside Galaxidi and as you go to Galaxidi make a stop at the village Chrisso to see the old neoclassical buildings.
The accommodations I recommend in Arachova
- (€€€) Snowglory Boutique Hotel luxurious suites, comfortable, functional and with a view
- (€€€) Aldia Suites Arachova luxury suites in a peaceful yet central location
- (€€) Pension Maria a 3 star hotel with comfortable and spacious rooms in a central location
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10. Achaia Prefecture
For a mountain I also recommend Achaia.
Now that the weather is getting sunny, it's an opportunity to do the nature-loving train route of Odontotos, Diakopto - Kalavryta. There are also many points of interest near Kalavryta: the cave of the Lakes, the Tsivlou lake, the Agia Lavra monastery, and the Megalo Spilaio monastery.
Also visit Planitero village with its famous sycamore forest at the source of the Aroanios river, a village where you can eat river fish such as trout and salmon grown in local fish farms.
The accommodations I recommend in Achaia
- (€€) Hotel Theasi a 3 star hotel in an olive grove with mountain and sea view near Diakopto
- (€€) Chalet Azanias for luxurious accommodation in Kalavryta with strong points the view of the village and the swimming pool
- (€€) Kalavrita Canyon Hotel & Spa for luxurious accommodation in Kalavryta with strong points the view of the village and the swimming pool
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