Although it’s often called a mountain, Mount Lycabettus is a hill. With an elevation of 277 meters above sea and a prominence of 227 meters above the city, Lycabettus Hill becomes the second-highest point within the Athenian basin (the highest one being Tourkovounia further north). The hill’s almost perfectly conical, emblematic southwestern part dominates the skyline of … [Read more...]
Lake Marathon: Day Trip from Athens
After having gone on a hiking trip with me on Mount Parnitha, my guest and new friend Mo from the UK asked me to organize yet another day trip out of Athens for her. This time she wanted something more leisurely than hiking. A short road trip away from the city would do. Considering various options, we decided to head for Lake Marathon.Lake Marathon is located – thanks for the … [Read more...]
Athens to Mycenae, Tiryns, and more – driving day trip
The other day, I was contacted by Sean, a Serbian-American musician working on a project of recording music videos at mysterious archeological sites around the world. What better country could he have found for that than Greece? He found me via a post of mine about a day trip to the Dragon House of Mount Ochi, which he intended to visit. In the end, we made that trip to the … [Read more...]
Dragon Houses (Drakospita) of Evia Island in one day from Athens
As the Dragon Houses (Gr. Δρακόσπιτα/Drakospita) is known a bunch of megalithic structures found scattered throughout the southern part of Evia Island in Greece. The buildings have puzzled archeologists ever since their rediscovery in the 18th century, as no mention exists of them anywhere in ancient sources, and no one has come up with a credible theory about when, by whom, … [Read more...]
Kaisariani Monastery & Aesthetic Forest Hike Day Trip
Out of the many medieval monasteries found in the periphery of Athens, the Monastery of Kaisariani is probably the most renowned. The monastery is situated on the northwestern foot of Mount Hymettus, within a charming grove known as Kaisariani Aesthetic Forest. The forest in particular, and the entire mountain, feature a plethora of beautiful hiking trails to be explored. Its … [Read more...]
Vari Cave, Vouliagmeni Lake, Megalo Kavouri Beach: Day Trip from Athens
In autumn 2019, I was contacted by a Swedish traveler and was tasked to plan for her a day trip out of Athens. She wanted to visit Vouliagmeni Lake, and asked whether it could be combined with a little a bit of hiking, as well as some hours at the beach. Sure it could. I came up with this really nice plan, featuring three destinations.Vari CaveFor some hiking, the natural … [Read more...]
Pnyx Hill in Athens: the Cradle of Democracy
The Pnyx is a hill in central Athens, Greece. It is situated west of the Acropolis and between the hills of Philopappos and Nymphon. It bears paramount historical significance as the site that hosted the Ecclesia: the popular assembly of the ancient Athenians. Thus it may be considered as the cradle of Democracy and the Western Civilization's political values. Evidence of its … [Read more...]
Zappeion Megaron & Park, Athens, Greece
Zappeion Park is a recreation area in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is squeezed between the southern side of the National Garden of Athens and the northern side of the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. Its southeast end faces the Panathenaic Stadium and the Hill of Ardittos. It encompasses the Zappeion Megaron (palace), an impressive and picturesque edifice after which the … [Read more...]
National Garden, Athens: the city’s neatest park
In a city that has a serious lack of green space, the National Garden of Athens may be regarded as a much-coveted haven for the bustle-afflicted residents of the Greek capital city. In contrast with most of Athens' parkland, which is hilly and in a wild natural state, the National Garden is one of the city's few flat and planned parks of significant size. Its easy accessibility … [Read more...]
Ardittos Hill in Athens: Forest Strolls & Best View of Panathenaic Stadium
Ardittos Hill (also Ardittou) is a small forested hill that borders the western side of the Panathenaic Stadium in the center of Athens, Greece. It reaches a maximum elevation of 235 meters and features multiple paved paths and dirt trails one can use to have a pleasant stroll in the relieving shade of the pine trees that cover its slopes. Unlike other hills of central Athens, … [Read more...]
