Where To Fly A Kite In Athens
- by XpatAthens
- Thursday, 07 March 2024
Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday) is one of the most favored holidays in Greece. Not only because of the delicious lenten food, but also because it marks the beginning of spring and is a great opportunity to enjoy nature and spend time outdoors.
One of the most significant Kathara Deftera traditions is kite flying; families and friends head to the city’s parks, hills, and open spaces to fly their kite. Weather permitting, because a little breeze is imperative to get the kite up into the air, the Athenian sky becomes a beautiful sight, filled with kites of all shapes and colors.
If you're wondering where exactly you can fly a kite in Athens, here are some of our top suggestions:
Syggrou Park
Credit: dasosygrou.gr
Syggrou Park is a lush urban paradise in the northern suburbs of the city, between Maroussi and Kifissia. This 950-acre park is a verdant heaven filled with pine trees, firs, cypresses, and almond trees. Here you will find cycling paths, footpaths, basketball, football, and volleyball courts, and quite a few clearings to practice your kite flying skills.
Sounio
The temple of Poseidon in Sounion. Credit: _zerfos_
Located approximately 70 kilometers from the city center, Sounio is an ideal Kathara Deftera destination. Around Sounio you will find plenty of beaches such as Legrena, Saronida and Agia Marina and open spaces to let your kite fly up into the air. After flying your kite head to a seaside tavern to enjoy a traditional Lenten lunch.
Mount Lycabettus
The stunning views from Mount Lycabettus. Credit: @giannischousos
Syggrou Park
Credit: dasosygrou.gr
Syggrou Park is a lush urban paradise in the northern suburbs of the city, between Maroussi and Kifissia. This 950-acre park is a verdant heaven filled with pine trees, firs, cypresses, and almond trees. Here you will find cycling paths, footpaths, basketball, football, and volleyball courts, and quite a few clearings to practice your kite flying skills.
Sounio
The temple of Poseidon in Sounion. Credit: _zerfos_
Located approximately 70 kilometers from the city center, Sounio is an ideal Kathara Deftera destination. Around Sounio you will find plenty of beaches such as Legrena, Saronida and Agia Marina and open spaces to let your kite fly up into the air. After flying your kite head to a seaside tavern to enjoy a traditional Lenten lunch.
Mount Lycabettus
The stunning views from Mount Lycabettus. Credit: @giannischousos
Mount Lycabettus is the perfect place to go and fly your kite if you don’t want to leave too far from the city center. Located just a few minutes away from the lively Kolonaki neighborhood, Lycabettus offers amazing views of the city and plenty of open spaces ideal to send your kite soaring!
Philopappos Ηill
Wrap-around views from Philopappos Hill. Credit: @jananasss
Philopappos Hill is the most traditional and popular kite flying spot in Athens. Every year the City of Athens organizes a celebration with live music, lenten food, and traditional dances! We advise you to take the Metro to Acropolis station and continue on foot because, on Kathara Deftera, traffic and parking can be really challenging.
Wrap-around views from Philopappos Hill. Credit: @jananasss
Philopappos Hill is the most traditional and popular kite flying spot in Athens. Every year the City of Athens organizes a celebration with live music, lenten food, and traditional dances! We advise you to take the Metro to Acropolis station and continue on foot because, on Kathara Deftera, traffic and parking can be really challenging.