Athens · Mt Hymettos · Greece

Kaisariani Monastery

monasterybyzantinehikinggoogle verified

moderate

9/10

best: spring, morning

serene, contemplative, hidden

A local would say...

A Byzantine monastery built on top of an ancient temple, on a mountain overlooking Athens — and almost no one goes.

A beautiful 11th-century Byzantine monastery nestled on the slopes of Mt Hymettos, 5km east of central Athens. A walled complex with central court surrounded by kitchen, dining rooms, monks' cells and a bathhouse. The domed katholikon was built atop foundations of an ancient temple, with well-preserved 17th and 18th-century frescoes. On weekdays almost entirely deserted.