3 days in Tzoumerka & Peristeri: Theodoriana, Souda Waterfalls, Steno Athamanias, Chaliki, Verliga

Chaliki, Tzoumerka, Greece

With the temperatures in Athens rising to unbearable heights all of July we decided to seek relief in the stunning mountains of Epirus, Tzoumerka, and Peristeri. I’ve had the privilege to visit Tzoumerka before on multiple occasions, be it a thrilling hiking adventure on Strogoula and Skala Stamati, canyoning near Sirrako, or an unforgettable road […]

3 days in Tzoumerka & Peristeri: Theodoriana, Souda Waterfalls, Steno Athamanias, Chaliki, Verliga Read More »

The pastures and meadows of Mount Parnitha: Mola, Limiko, Saloniki

The view from the tower of Limiko, Mount Parnitha

If you are looking to spend a quiet day at Mount Parnitha far away from the crowds this is the perfect hike for you. It passes through the unspoiled fir and pine forests of Northern Parnitha, its tranquil meadows, and the impressive stone-built tower of Limiko. We’ve already done this hike twice, during spring and

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Western Parnitha Hike: Fyli Spring, Bikeza, Goura Spring & Agia Paraskevi Church

Western Partnitha

For many years, Western Parnitha has been one of my favorite hiking destinations close to Athens for its beautiful nature and lack of crowds. Unfortunately, all changed in the summer of 2023 when Parntiha suffered from yet another monstrous wildfire. For 3 days the fire raged uncontrollably through 60.500 acres of pristine forest leaving nothing

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Dionysos Hike: Profitis Ilias, Agios Nikitas and Agios Loukas churches, Open-Air Marble Museum & Solinari Spring

A view of the Open Air Marble Museum at Mount Pentelicus, Greece

Mount Pentelicus is best known for its marble quarries, supplying the stone used to build many of the famous Athenian monuments since antiquity. But did you know it is an awesome place for hiking as well? The forested northern slopes of the mountain above Dionysos are the perfect destination for a quick, afternoon trip from

Dionysos Hike: Profitis Ilias, Agios Nikitas and Agios Loukas churches, Open-Air Marble Museum & Solinari Spring Read More »

Exploring the archaeological site of Ancient Rhamnous in northeast Attica

The fortified city of ancient Rhamnous, Attica, Greece

Rhamnous was an ancient Greek city situated in northeast Attica about 55 kilometers away from Athens. In antiquity, it was best known for the Sanctuary of Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance. Its strategic position on the east coast of Attica gave Ancient Rhamnous control over the ships passing through the Euboea Strait. These days, the

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Hiking through the oak forest of Moggostos (Dryodasos Moggostou)

Fallen yellow oak leaf in the Moggostos Forest in Greece

The forest of Moggostos is a beautiful oak forest spreading over an area of 7,185 acres between the villages of Souli, Megalos Valtos, and Throfari in the Northern Peloponnese. The drive from Athens to the Moggostos forest only takes about one and a half hours making it the perfect destination for an easy hiking day

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Grammeni Oxia: Portokali Summit (1.714 meters) & Sarantaina (1.923 meters)

Grammeni Oxia, Greece

Grammeni Oxia has been on my wish list for quite some time and when we finally managed to visit this November I immediately fell in love. The combination of grassy mountain ridges, colorful beech forests, sleepy villages, and dramatic views towards the neighboring Vardousia was magical and one weekend was far from enough to experience

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Attali Hike: Agios Konstantinos and Eleni church at Apokremnos & the summit of Tourla (Euboea)

Hiker overlooking the forest from the top of a cliff near the village of Attali in Central Euboea in Greece

The mountainous Central Euboea is one of my favorite hiking destinations near Athens. Lying only about one and a half hours away from the Greek capital, it is the perfect choice for an easy day trip. However, its alpine landscape, endless forests, and stunning coast make it feel like an exotic paradise thousands of miles

Attali Hike: Agios Konstantinos and Eleni church at Apokremnos & the summit of Tourla (Euboea) Read More »

Olmeios River Hike and The Valley of the Muses (Mount Elikonas)

Olmeios River, Mount Elikonas, Greece

I stumbled across the trail through the Olmeios River Gorge at Mount Elikonas only recently when searching for a short and easy hike not too far from Athens. And after the success of our previous excursion to Mount Elikonas when we climbed to its highest summit, Paliovouna, we decided to give this lesser-known trail a try.

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Hiking weekend in Mainalo: Arkoudorema Hike,Tzelati Summit (1.868 meters) & Vytina

Tzelati Hike, Mainalo, Greece

The Mainalo mountain range in central Peloponnese is the perfect destination for any hiking lover looking for an easy escape from the city. Lying only about two and a half hours from Athens, Mainalo can be easily visited over the weekend or even as a day trip from the Greek capital. It offers a wide

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Mount Olympus Climb: Gortsia, Petrostruga Refuge, Mouses Plateau, Mytikas (2.918 meters)

Sunset view of Stefani from Touba, Mount Olympus, Greece (41)

You know those amazing bucket list places you’ve been wanting to visit for so many years and when you finally get to go they are kind of…meah? Well, Mount Olympus was NOT one of them! I’ve been dreaming about visiting the Muses Plateau and climbing to the highest summit of Mount Olympus, Mytikas, for a

Mount Olympus Climb: Gortsia, Petrostruga Refuge, Mouses Plateau, Mytikas (2.918 meters) Read More »

Mount Elikonas: Hiking from Agia Anna to the summit of Paliovouna (1.748 meters)

Winter ascent of Mount Elikonas, Greece

Elikonas or Mount Helicon is a mountain in Boeotia in Central Greece. It sits roughly halfway between Mount Kitharonas and Mount Parnassus and towards the south, it overlooks the Gulf of Corinth. It played an important role in Greek mythology as the home to the Muses and was considered a source of poetic inspiration in

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Limni Vouliagmenis and Sterna Beach Hike (Loutraki)

Sterna Beach coast

Limni Vouliagmenis near Loutraki is the perfect destination for a fun-filled day trip from Athens. But it is not just the calm, turquoise waters of the lagoon that attracts thousands of visitors to this beautiful corner of Corinthia. The nearby archaeological site, Heraion of Perachora, will satisfy any history lovers and the lighthouse of Melagavi

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Mount Taygetos Hike: Manganiari Spring, Taygetos Refuge, Profitis Ilias Peak (2.407 meters)

Sunrise from Mount Taygetos, Greece

At 2.407 meters, Mount Taygetost is the highest mountain in the Peloponnese and a personal favorite of mine. Named after the nymph Taygete and devoted to the god of the Sun, Helios, Taygetos is destined to provide a mystical experience. But it is the peace and quiet of the mountain, disturbed only by an occasional

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Limiko Tower Hike: Paliochori, Diaselo Panos, Lakka Zireli, Limiko, Mavrorema, Drasiza

Limiko Tower, Parnitha, Greece

The area of Limiko at Western Parnitha is a popular destination to multiple hiking trails, combining beautiful scenery with interesting historical sights. This time, we decided to hike to the tower of Limiko from Paliochori while exploring the wooded valleys around Lakka Zireli and Mavrorema and the old shepherds’ settlement at Drasiza. The trails we

Limiko Tower Hike: Paliochori, Diaselo Panos, Lakka Zireli, Limiko, Mavrorema, Drasiza Read More »

Mount Kitheronas Hike: Vilia, Shelter of EOS Eleusina, Mikri Koryfi (1.358 meters)

View of Alkionides Gulf from Kitheronas in Greece

Mount Kitheronas in Western Attica has been on our radar for quite some time now but it took us a while to actually give it a try. Truth to be told, seeing the long silhouette of Kitherona and the neighboring Pastra from distance, tortured by rows of wind turbines and a maze of dirt tracks,

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Rainy hiking to the Stream of Goura at Western Parnitha

The stream of Goura, Parnitha

Update 8/2023: Another summer, another natural disaster. Another series of wildfires burning uncontrollably through the Greek countryside, destroying homes, forests and agricultural lands. Western Parnitha is only one of the many victims of this year’s devastating wildfires but the loss of this green paradise on the outskirts of Athens hits harder. It is still impossible

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Panaitoliko Crossing: Peristeri, Koka, Katelanos Summit, Kato Lampiri

Panaitoliko Mountain, Greece

Panaitoliko is one of the lesser-known Greek mountains tucked away on the border of Aetolia-Acarnania and Evrytania in Western Greece. It is equally beautiful as its more famous northern neighbors, Kaliakouda, Chelidona, or Velouchy, but even more remote and peaceful. We joined a local mountaineering club for our adventure at Panaitoliko and even though I

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Hiking on Mount Geraneia: From Pisia to Pintiza Peak and Petra Perachoras

Mount Geraneia is a 30 kilometers long mountain range covering eastern Corinthia and part of  Western Attica. With its highest peak, Makryplagi, reaching an altitude of only 1.351 meters, it doesn’t seem particularly impressive from distance. But step on one of its lovely mountain trails and you’ll be taken to an unexpected paradise of shady

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5 of the best parks, gardens & green spaces in the center of Athens

Acropolis of Athens at sunset, Greece

Apart from the well-known ancient sights and museums, Athens may seem like a concert jungle overflowed by traffic jams and shabby apartment buildings. But when you look closer, you’ll discover many beautiful parks and gardens in the center of the city offering an easy escape from the urban hustle. But don’t expect to see anything

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Southern Hymettus Crossing: Kareas, Michailidis Memorial, Stavros Pass, Trypia Cave, Terpsithea

South Hymettus Crossing (2)

From a distance, the bare southern slopes of Mount Hymettus may not look like the most interesting place for hiking. But up close, southern Hymettus has plenty to offer to its visitors from panoramic city views to impressive caves and gulches, and ancient trails. Due to the lack of forests, the southern parts of Mount

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Agios Georgios Keramidiou Hike at Mount Parnitha

Agios Georgios Church at Mount Parnitha

Update 8/2023: Another summer, another natural disaster. Another series of wildfires burning uncontrollably through the Greek countryside, destroying homes, forests, and agricultural lands. Western Parnitha is only one of the many victims of this year’s devastating wildfires but the loss of this green paradise on the outskirts of Athens hits harder. It is still impossible

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Messinia: Beaches, castles, waterfalls and the best olive oil in the world

Sunset in Pylos, Messinia, Greece

The Messinia region in southern Peloponnese is an ideal holiday destination for anyone looking for more than just a lovely beach. Don’t get me wrong, the coast of Messinia is stunning and its long sandy beaches are among the best in Greece but there is so much more! From impressive medieval castles and charming towns

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Climbing Mount Olympus: Enipeas Gorge, Spilios Agapitos Refuge & the summits

Enipeas Gorge

Climbing Mount Olympus is a must for any self-respected mountain lover visiting Greece. Being the mythological seat of the Olympian Gods makes it one of the most iconic mountains in the world but that’s not all. With its 2.918 meters, it is the highest mountain in Greece and the second-highest on the Balkans. It became

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South Evia Road Trip: 3 days at Cavo D’Oro

Morning on the Archampoli Beach in South Evia, Greece

Thanks to its close proximity to Athens and abundance of stunning beaches South Evia is the perfect destination for easy, laid back summer getaway. But in reality, it is mostly overlooked by foreign visitors choosing the picturesque yet painfully overcrowded Cycladic islands instead. To be completely honest, the southernmost part of Greece’s second-largest island didn’t

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Fyli Fortress hike at Western Parnitha

Theodora Valley, Parnitha

Update 8/2023: Another summer, another natural disaster. Another series of wildfires burning uncontrollably through the Greek countryside, destroying homes, forests and agricultural lands. Western Parnitha is only one of the many victims of this year’s devastating wildfires but the loss of this green paradise on the outskirts of Athens hits harder. It is still impossible

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3 of the best beaches near Athens (by public transport)

The smaller of the two Kape Beaches

I’ll be honest, the Athenian beaches are not my favorite. After living in Greece for nine years I’ve been to some truly spectacular places with crystal clear, turquoise sea and fine, white sand (my beloved combination) so the “Athens Riviera” just doesn’t cut it for me anymore. It is too busy, not particularly clean and full

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How to spend an awesome weekend in Santorini in winter

Sunset in Oia in Santorini Greece

Santorini is one of the best-known Greek islands and a popular holiday destination. It belongs to the Cyclades archipelago and if it wasn’t for the volcano it would have the classic Cycladic look of barren, oregano-clad hills and picturesque whitewashed villages. But an ancient volcanic eruption transformed it into something completely different. The center of

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Exploring Karpenisi: Proussos Monastery, Mavri Spilia and Mount Kaliakouda

A view of Mount Chelidona from Megalo Chorio, Greece

I heard a lot about the Karpenisi area and had high hopes for this mountainous region but it still managed to surpass all my expectations. The beautiful mountains, lucid rivers and streams and charming villages clinging to the hillsides stole my heart from the first moment. Even just one short weekend is enough to get

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Hiking in Velitsa Gorge near Tithorea: Dipotama, Tripi Waterfall and Odysseas Androutsos Cave

Velitsa Valley, Mount Parnassos

Mount Parnassos is one of the few Greek mountains that doesn’t need much introduction. It is a well-known winter destination thanks to its modern ski-resort and the close-by trendy town of Arachova. But there are other corners of Mount Parnassos where nature still has the upper hand. The Velitsa Gorge (or Kachala) just outside of

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Mount Tymfi & Zagorochoria: 5-day hiking trip from Athens

Konitsa,Bridge, Zagorochoria, Greece

Every year as the temperatures start rising and the heat in Athens slowly becomes unbearable I start dreaming about the shady forested valleys of Northern Greece. This year the lot fell on the Zagori region north of Ioannina best known for its traditional stone villages (Zagorochoria) and the stunning Vikos Gorge. With 46 villages, 45

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Pan’s Cave Hike at Mount Parnitha

Pans Cave Hike, Mount Parnitha, Greece

Update 8/2023: Another summer, another natural disaster. Another series of wildfires burning uncontrollably through the Greek countryside, destroying homes, forests and agricultural lands. Western Parnitha is only one of the many victims of this year’s devastating wildfires but the loss of this green paradise on the outskirts of Athens hits harder. It is still impossible

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