Destinations near Athens for the 28th of October weekend

Summer might not be over yet, but many of us are already looking for an autumn getaway.
A good opportunity is to take advantage of the upcoming two-day break on October 28^th and escape somewhere close to Athens!

We will suggest 3 popular destinations within close proximity to Athens for you to choose from.

Nafplio

Nafplio is one of the most popular destinations near Athens, located 140 km away. It is one of the most picturesque cities in the country with a significant history, having served as the capital of the Greek state between 1828 and 1833.

The most popular attractions in Nafplio

Bourtzi

Nafplio's landmark is none other than Bourtzi. The Venetian fortress was built in 1473 on the rocky islet directly opposite the harbour, naturally for protection.

To see Bourtzi up close, you just need to take one of the many boats you'll find at Nafplio's waterfront. The journey costs 4.50 euros return and the distance is covered in five to ten minutes. A new boat departs from the beach for Bourtzi every ten minutes, so don't worry if you see one leaving as you arrive.

There is no entrance fee to enter Bourtzi; you simply pay for the boat. One thing is for sure, from the fortress, you will admire a wonderful view of Nafplio.

Various events are often held in the courtyard, and it has been announced that the refreshment bar that used to be there will soon reopen.

Palamidi Castle

The castle is located on Palamidi Hill, 216 metres above the city of Nafplio. To reach it, you can take the motor road following the road signs, which will lead you to the eastern side of the fortress.

An alternative way is to climb the famous 999 steps on its western side. It is said that there were 1000 steps and Kolokotronis's horse knocked down the last one. In reality, there are probably 857 steps, with all due reservations as we haven't counted them ourselves.

The fortress was built by the Venetians in 1687 and includes eight independent bastions. It also served as a prison in the 1800s. Theodoros Kolokotronis was likely imprisoned there.

The fortress is still preserved in excellent condition today, and during your visit, you can admire the small church of Agios Andreas, the rainwater collection tanks, and, of course, the bastions.

 

Acronafplia

On the acropolis of Nafplio, the Venetians built another castle, consisting of 3 separate levels.

From the rock of the acropolis, you can admire the stunning view towards Bourtzi and the beach.

To get there, simply walk to the Catholic Church and the gate of Toron Castle, or ascend east of Staikopoulos Castle.

Beaches in Nafplio

The most famous beaches in Nafplio

In Nafplio there are many wonderful beaches for all the brave souls who want to take a last dip at the end of October. And if not for a swim, a coastal stroll is a must!

Arvanitia Beach: Located very close to the city centre, at the foot of Palamidi, which is why it is extremely popular. It is a very well-known beach for many winter swimmers.

Tolo Beach (or Psili Ammos): One of the most popular resorts in Argolis, it is a pristine beach with wonderful sand. There are many restaurants and tavernas to serve you. It is located 12 km outside Nafplio towards Epidavros – to find it, follow the signs to Tolo.

 

Activities in Nafplio

In Nafplio, you can take a one-hour horse riding lesson for beginners. You'll follow specific routes in the village of Pyrgiotika – always accompanied by an instructor.

More experienced riders can go for an autonomous horse ride, lasting up to 4 hours.

You can also cover the same route by mountain bike, or even without, it is a popular walk for hikers. You can head up to the castle and Prophet Elias.

At the Skouras Estate in Malandreni, you can take part in a wine tasting or take a tour of the estate to discover all the secrets of wine production and bottling.

At the Epidauria Olive Mills, you will be able to see the entire production process of extra virgin olive oil.

Where to stay in Nafplio

On the Booking website you can find all available rooms and hotels in the city of Nafplio.

Explore a wide range of options that cover all available budgets.

Volos

Volos is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, and its port is one of the most important, as it connects Magnesia and Central Greece with the Sporades and other popular tourist destinations.

It is located 320 km from Athens, which is covered in approximately 3.5 hours by car.

On a trip to Volos, you can combine it with a day visit to the villages of Pelion, such as Tsagarada, and enjoy fresh air as well as local delicacies.

Activities in Volos

Centaur's Path: a wonderful route for hiking on the provincial road of Portaria – Makrinitsa. You will see beautiful running waters and many charming wooden bridges in an amazing landscape that you can cross on a very easy walking route.

Horse riding: You can also cross the Centaur's Path on horseback. Discover the traditional villages as you take a stroll with an experienced instructor.

Miniature train ride: It starts from Volos and reaches Milies through a magical natural landscape. The train will drop you off in the village centre, where you will have plenty of time to explore the area and have lunch at one of the traditional tavernas.

Stroll along Argonauts' Avenue: Take a walk by the sea and observe the boats and ships anchored. You will also see a replica of the Argo ship – a symbol of Volos and the Argonautic expedition.

Attractions in Volos

Athanasakeio Archaeological Museum of Volos

It is one of the oldest museums in our country, built in 1909, and comprises seven exhibition spaces.

It operates daily except Mondays from 08:00-15:00. Entrance tickets for the Archaeological Museum of Volos cost 4 euros for adults and 2 euros for reduced admission (students, unemployed, large families, etc.).

Inside the museum, you will see findings from prehistoric settlements in the area, while some rooms are dedicated to burial customs.

Church of Saint Constantine and Helen: The church was built in 1936 and is a well-known landmark of Volos due to its location on the beachfront – among other things, it is one of the most famous “meeting points” for residents.

Volos Castle: At the western entrance of the city stood the Old Castle, covering an area of 60 acres. Today, there is nothing for visitors to see except for a section of the walls that were almost entirely demolished in 1889.

What to see – where to go in Volos

Volos Railway Station

It's worth visiting the station even if you're not travelling by train – the reason is that on the station's upper floor, there is a museum showcasing the entire history and artefacts of the region's railways. The station building was constructed in 1884 and remains unchanged over time.

Papastratos Building:

It is a beautiful building with unique architecture that was originally created for tobacco warehouses. Now, the building houses departments of the University of Thessaly.

 

Saint Constantine Park: Located on the beachfront, it includes the Church of Saint Constantine and Helen, which we mentioned earlier. It is a very large recreational park created in 1920.

 

The Tsipouradika of Volos

A characteristic feature of Volos is, of course, its tsipouradika (tsipouro taverns). Your visit cannot be considered complete if you don't visit at least one of the 400 tsipouradika scattered both in the city centre and on the beachfront, as well as in Nea Ionia.

The most tourist-oriented tsipouradika are located along the beachfront. If you want a more authentic experience at a traditional tsipouradiko, you should walk into the centre of Volos and discover the small tsipouradika waiting to welcome you, 'hidden' in the city's narrow streets.

Where to stay in Volos

In Volos, there are various types of accommodation available – from rooms and entire rental tourist residences to five-star hotels.

You can see all available hotels in Volos on the Booking website HERE.

Lake Plastiras

If you enjoy lush green landscapes and outdoor activities, then Lake Plastiras will captivate you. It is an artificial lake that nature has enriched since its creation.

It is a destination for all seasons, combining mountains and activities on the lake's waters. However, it is during Autumn and Spring that you will see nature at its best, where the ideal temperature and the amazing scenery will offer you unique moments of relaxation!

On the other hand, in winter you can visit the Agrafa ski resort in the Karamanoli area.

The creation of the lake was a vision of General Nikolaos Plastiras in 1928. Some years later, after the dam was built at the beginning of the Tavropos river, the lake was created in 1959.

The lake is located 40 km from the city of Karditsa in the Nevropoli plateau.

Activities at the lake

There are many activities you can do, always centred around the lake.

To drive around the entire lake, it will take you approximately 1.5 hours to cover the 50 km, which are winding and challenging.

You can do the drive on the first day of your stay in the area and choose which spots you liked best to revisit them on subsequent days.

The Dam

First, you will visit the dam of Lake Plastiras. You can drive across it or, even better, park and take a walk to better appreciate the magnificent landscape.

Once you park, you will find many stalls selling traditional products and souvenirs.

Cross the dam, admire the scenery, and take unique photos. You are very likely to see ducks in the dam's waters.

Visit the observatory near the lake, which offers the best view of the lake.

At the Zabetas Estate in the village of Morfovouni, you can enjoy a plethora of activities for adults and children.

Horse riding: Experienced instructors accompany you and your group on a ride around the lake with the trained horses available at the estate. You can choose a half-hour or one-hour route. More experienced riders can also go on more challenging trails.

Archery: Test your skills and aim following the instructors' guidance. It's not difficult, but it's certainly a lot of fun!

Lake biking: If the weather permits and there's no fog or rain, you'll see many bikes on the lake. Take advantage of the opportunity and go for an unusual ride with special water bikes!

Cycling: If you are a cycling enthusiast and have your own bicycle, you can traverse many wonderful trails on the mountainous routes around the lake. Always have an up-to-date local weather forecast with you to avoid difficult and unpleasant situations.

Botanical Garden: Located in Neochori, it is a ten-acre area that includes a large part of the region's fauna. There is also an animal and bird observatory that entertains both young and old.

Fishing: There are many spots in the lake where you can fish. With a rod, you are allowed to fish throughout the year except for May, which is the fish breeding month. You will find sea bass, trout, carp, barbel, and other freshwater fish.

Where to stay

Around the Lake, there are dozens of villages, each offering local, traditional accommodation in guesthouses. The most popular areas for accommodation are Neochori, Kalyvia, and Kryoneri.

See all available rooms on the Booking website:

https://www.booking.com/region/gr/limni-plastira.el.html

If you want to stay somewhere more central with access to nightlife and shops, then choose a hotel in the centre of Karditsa!

https://www.booking.com/city/gr/karditsa.el.html