Attic Grove

What I can see

The Attic Grove is the highest hill in Athens (337 metres). It is divided into a northern and a southern part, including a small settlement (Papandreou) and two monasteries (Profitis Elias and Agia Kyriaki). Out of its 55 acres, 23 have been planted. The park has many sports venues, a theatre, a playground, an outdoor cinema, a cave, cafeterias and parking lots. Its recent revamp kicked off a new era of popularity. The park is considered to be a great destination with special accommodations for the disabled. It is overgrown with Attica plants and has a beautiful promenade, ideal for sports activities, amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Unfortunately, and in spite of its unique views of the city, the hill does not have an accessible spot wherefrom visitors can see all districts of the city, because of its physiology. Another negative is that it is only accessible by car or taxi.

What I can't see

Former Prime Minister George Papandreou (1964) gave 30 acres to poor Cretan families and built 100 new homes here. Later, the junta expropriated it to build the “New Hagia Sophia”. Local residents protested and after the fall of the dictatorship, the hill was declared a communal green space (1978). The hill is home to 95 species of birds, 26 of which breed there. Previously, foxes and snakes also lived on the hill but the growing number of visitors has driven them out. Many of the steep cliffs are not natural, but are remnants of old quarries. 

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