Nature and Parks in Athens

"Hymettus is a 10-mile-long rocky mountain range that stretches from the northern suburbs of Athens all the way to the south chic neighborhood of Glyfada. From atop the mountain, you can see the built-up urban areas that surround it, the international airport, and the mountains of Parnitha and Pentelicus. Hymettus is home to a man-made Aesthetic Forest, in which there is an olive grove and a small vineyard with grapes from Santorini.The forest, which is located in Athen’s northern area of Papagou, is a bird watcher’s delight as there are 104 different bird species. Hymettus is one of Athenians’ favorite places to unwind on a sunny day because it caters to all ages and types of outdoors people. There are many hiking and bicycle trails of all levels of difficulty, numerous viewpoints where you can have a picnic, and abundant flora and fauna. Just be careful of reptiles, including the venomous viper snake.To indulge in the myths of Hymettus, stop at the medieval Kaisariani Monastery on the western slope of the mountain. If you hike during the summer months, start early in the morning and choose shaded paths. Most routes are suitable for walking tours and don’t require any equipment apart from water and snacks." - MATADOR_NETWORK