Walks · 13 of the best in Athens
Kaisariani Monastery and the Hymettus forest
Byzantine Hymettus
Shady forest paths on Mount Hymettus to the walled Byzantine Monastery of Kaisariani.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jean Housen · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Jean Housen · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © George E. Koronaios · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 5
About Kaisariani Monastery and the Hymettus forest
On the slopes of Mount Hymettus the city gives way abruptly to the Aesthetic Forest of Kaisariani, a protected reserve of pine and cypress a short taxi ride from the centre. Shady footpaths climb through the trees to the olive grove and walled Byzantine Monastery of Kaisariani, with its 17th-century frescoes and a fountain spout shaped like a ram’s head. From the monastery, the signposted Botanical Walk leads past labelled plants to the cave-like Chapel of the Ascension and its spring-fed pond, while the ruins of an early Christian basilica on Taxiarchis Hill look out over the whole Athenian basin. Our advice: the monastery is run by the Archaeological Service and closes early, so walk in the morning and check its hours before you go.
Our take
- The Byzantine monastery
- The Botanical Walk
- Sunset over the city
- Address
- Kaisariani, Athens
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Kaisariani Monastery and the Hymettus forest before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Location
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