If you are looking for an easy hike at Mount Parnitha with plenty of interesting sights along the way this trail is for you! It starts at the cozy mountain refuge Mpafi and circulates two of Parnitha’s highest summits, Karavola (1.413 meters) and Ornio (1.350 meters). The trail runs through a beautiful unspoiled forest and …
Mount Parnitha Loop: Mpafi Shelter, Mola, Skipiza Read More »
When you think about Athens, hiking is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, and the same goes for Greece as a whole. Thanks to its beautiful coastline, charming islands, never-ending sunshine and delicious cuisine Greece become the synonym of relaxed summer holidays. But with around 70 percent of its surface covered with …
10 of the best hikes near Athens (by public transport) Read More »
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 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, …
Mount Kitheronas Hike: Vilia, Shelter of EOS Eleusina, Mikri Koryfi (1.358 meters) Read More »
The stream of Goura is one of the loveliest streams of Mount Parnitha, at least in my opinion, and we spent many adventure-filled afternoons exploring its rugged riverbed near Moni Kliston and the striking Goura Gorge. This time, we decided to visit the upper section of the stream above the Cave of Pan, quieter and …
Rainy hiking to the Stream of Goura at Western Parnitha Read More »
Update: As of the begining of August 2021, the forest of Tatoi and a large section of eastern Parnitha has been destroyed by a monstrous wildfire, burning through the area for five consecutive days. With the attempts to extinguish the remaining clusters of fire still being carried out as I type, it is hard to …
Update: As of the beginning of August 2021, the forest of Tatoi and a large section of eastern Parnitha has been destroyed by a monstrous wildfire, burning through the area for five consecutive days. With the attempts to extinguish the remaining clusters of fire still being carried out as I type, it is hard to …
The forest around Kaisariani Monastery on the western slopes of Mount Hymettus is one of the best places for an easy nature escape from Athens. Lying only about 30 minutes bus ride from Syntagma Square it is close enough to the city center but once you walk on its pretty forest trails you’ll feel miles …
3 of the best hikes around Kaisariani Monastery (Mount Hymettus) Read More »
Mount Pentelicus is the smallest of the Athenian mountains and one that never really piqued my interest. I’ve visited its most famous site, the impressive Daveli cave, during a road trip many years ago but that was it. Seeing the bare slopes of the mountain every day from our beautifully green Mount Hymettus didn’t help …
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 …
5 of the best parks, gardens & green spaces in the center of Athens Read More »
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, impressive caves and gulches, and ancient trails. Due to the lack of forests, the southern parts of Mount Hymettus …
The ascent from Amygdaleza to Agios Georgios Keramidiou was one of the prettiest hikes I’ve done on Mount Parnitha and one I would happily repeat in the future. It is not particularly challenging or long but offers beautiful scenery, plenty of shade and two refreshing springs along the way. It was especially beautiful during the …
Agios Georgios Keramidiou Hike at Mount Parnitha Read More »
One of the best hiking trails at Mount Parnitha hides at the western side of the mountain far away from Parnitha’s infamous casino, gondola, and masses of visitors. It starts at the small suburban town called Fyli and climbs through the lush green valley of Theodora to the Fortress of Fyli, one of the most …
If you are looking for an easy day trip from Athens or even just an afternoon away from the city Vravrona is an ideal choice. Its main attraction, the Temple of Artemis of Brauron, is on its own worth the trip but there is more to see around. Vravrona lies in a lush green valley …
Day trip to Vravrona from Athens: archaeological site and wetlands Read More »
Snow-capped mountains are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Greek capital, Athens. But it does snow around here almost every winter and when the time comes, a short trip to one of the mountains surrounding the city can be a magical experience and true winter wonderland. Mount Parnitha …
Update: As of the begining of August 2021, the forest of Tatoi and a large section of eastern Parnitha has been destroyed by a monstrous wildfire, burning through the area for five consecutive days. With the attempts to extinguish the remaining clusters of fire still being carried out as I type, it is hard to …
Hiking at the Tatoi Royal Estate (Mount Parnitha) Read More »
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 …
3 of the best beaches near Athens (by public transport) Read More »
Are you looking for a great hike close to Athens? Would you like to spend a day wandering through a peaceful countryside of rolling hills and meadows in full bloom discovering charming little churches along the way? Do you feel like you have exhausted the hiking options of Parnitha National Park walking on the southern slopes …
For a long time, Elefsina has been just a highway sign for me and there is a good reason for it. Elefsina and her surroundings are high on my list of the ugliest places in Greece (Ptolemaida still keeping the win). Between the dirty seaside full of abandoned buildings and decaying ships, the shabby town …
The Schinias Bay on the eastern coast of Attica is well known among the Athenians. Its beautiful long sandy beach is probably the best in such close proximity to the Greek capital making it a popular day-trip destination during the long Mediterranean summer. However, Schinias is so much more than just a pretty seaside. The …
Mount Parnitha is my go-to destination for an easy escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It lies close enough to Athens to be reached by public transport but there are corners of the mountain that feel very far away. Many hiking trails crisscross the slopes of the mountain and there are two …
This little hike to the Trypia Cave at southern Hymettus was a pleasant surprise for me. I’ve been eyeing the hills above the southern suburbs of Athens for a while now but I didn’t expect much more than some pretty sea vistas. However, a few hundred meters above the last houses of Terpsithea neighborhood of …
The Cape of Sounio is one of the most popular spots for a day trip from Athens. It’s often visited by both the Athenians and the foreign tourists, especially in the summer. There are some nice beaches around the cape but the main attraction is the ancient Temple of Poseidon. The ancient temple built at …
Whenever I feel like hiking but don’t want to travel too far away I head to Mt. Hymettus. Living in the Kaisariani neighborhood of Athens at the foothills of western Hymettus this means a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk to get to the entrance of the forest park. The area around Kaisariani monastery is definitely the …
I have been living in Greece for almost seven years but until now I never even heard about the Diomedes Botanic Gardens. The gardens lie in the Chaidari neighborhood in the western part of Athens and are easily accessible by public transport. To get there take the blue line of the metro to Agia Marina …
Marathon is a sleepy agricultural town in the north-east Attica that comes alive once a year for the classic Marathon race. It’s also a good starting point for exploring the Schinias National Park and the hills around Marathon through one of the newly marked trails. We choose the 8 km long trail no.4 passing through …
The Cave of Pan at Mount Parnitha is one of my favorite hiking destinations near Athens. Even on a sunny weekend when the rest of the mountain teems with hikers and day-trippers, the area of Western Parnitha around Fyli stays quiet and peaceful. Pan’s Cave lies in a beautiful setting deep inside the Goura canyon. …
