Attica hides many treasures which you can discover just a breath away from Athens. In recent decades the Attic landscape may have been altered due to intense urbanization, however in many parts of it we can find the remains of the region's glorious past. On the map of the Ascent of Attica – Boeotia, you can find all these attractions. At the same time, the map at a scale of 1:100,000 is the ideal tool to discover the wider area of ​​Athens.

Aesthetic Forest of Kaisariani - Kaisariani Monastery

Access from Kaisariani or Papagos (exit Y2 Attiki Odos - Peripheral of Hymettus) following asphalt road towards the mountain. Kaisariani Monastery stands in a valley covered with olive trees, cypresses, pines and other trees. Built in the 11th century, on the site of an ancient temple, the monastery was a spiritual center during the Ottoman period. On a nearby hill there is a ruined Basilica and Byzantine church. In the years after WWII, the area around the monastery was reforested with a variety of trees and since 1974, is protected as a Scenic Forest. There are paths connecting the monastery with the dense network of trails of Mount Hymettus. These paths are recorded in the detailed hiking map of Northern & southern Hymettus.

Kaisariani Monastery
Lavrio- Ancient mining wash basins 

Access from Keratea through Agios Konstantinos (18km) In the Souriza valley of Lavrion there are abundant remains of ancient mining activity Apart from the tunnels which are not accessible, many mining wash basins dating from 5th-4th century BC can be seen. The aggregates and admixtures of the lead containing the precious silver were washed away in tanks lined with waterproof mortar. A wisely designed system to collect and recycle the rainwater was used. The economic strength and prosperity of ancient Athens was largely based
on the silver of Lavrio.

Fyli Fortress

We can reach the settlement of Fyll (Chasta) from exit 6 of Attiki Odos, or from Liosion street, and then Fylis Ave from Athens centre. From Fyli follow the road to the Kleiston Monastery. Shortly before the monastery, the road turns sharply left and after 7 km a small dirt road on the left leads to the fortress. There is also a path from Fyli to the fortress. Detailed information about the trail is available on the hiking map of Parnitha by Anavasi. The well-preserved fortress dates to the 4th century BC. It was part of the defensive system of Attica, in which Mt Parnitha played an important role: Remains of at least 11 torts and towers can be seen on the mountain.

Aegina: Paliochora & Aphaea Temple

The medieval capital of Aigina, Paliachora is located on a hill opposite the famous monastery of Agios Nektarios, 6 km from the port. It is worth walking on the sunny slope with the dry stones, where among the ruins of the houses there are dozens of churches, with fragments of beautiful murals. 5 km to the east is the Temple of Aphaia which dominates a pine-clad hill with excellent views. The Doric temple with the impressive monolithic columns is in quite good condition. Information about the network of trails that runs through the island can be found on the hiking map of Aegina, by Anavasi.

Salamina: Mycenaean acropolis of Kanakia

On a wooded hill overlooking the sea at Kanakia on Salamis' southwestern coast, a town surmounted by a fortified palaçe complex has been excavated. The site flourished in the 13th century BC. same time as the major centers of Mycenae and Pylos in southern Greece- and was abandoned about 100 years later (with the decline of the Mycenaean world).

 
Vravrona

The area around the bay was inhabited since the Neolithic period. The temple of Artemis, the goddess of the wilderness, where rituals, performed by girls before they reached puberty. took place, stands in beautiful natural scenery.

Amfiarion

Amfiarion is a famous ancient oracle and healing place. Access from the National road Athens-Lamia (16km from the exit of Kapandriti or 11km through Markopoulo Oropou). The Amfiareion is located in a valley of the pine-clad hilly region that stretches between Mt. Parnitha and southern Evoikos gulf. In the archeological site extending on both sides of the ravine there are ruins of a theatre, a temple, a stοa (gallery) and baths. The priests of Amfiaraos did not give advices but interpreted the dreams of believers who slept in a specially designed area.

Aigosthena

Half a kilometer before the beach, a narrow paved road leads to a plateau of the acropolis. The remains of an impressive fortified city of thin classical period from the citadel on the top with well preserved towers one can descend along the long Walls connecting to the ancient part through a picturesque alive grove. Next to the Acropolis are ruins of cells of a Byzantine monastery whose katholikon was the church of Saint George.

Loutraki: Heraion of Perahora

Heraion is located close to Loutraki town in Korinthia. Along the road leading from Lake Vouliagmeni Perachoras to the lighthouse Melegavi one encounters ancient fountains and cisterns. The archaeological site of Heraion, where two temples of Hera, remnants of a large hydraylic system of water transport have been excavatewd extends south of the road towardsa the small bay below the lighthouse.

Fortress of Eleftheres (Inoi)

The Fortress of Eleftheres holds a strategic position near the mountain pass on the road from Elefsina to Thiva via Platees. It was a military fort, built in 4th century BC to control the pass. The northern part of the wall with 7 square towers in still well preserved.