The 147 meter high Filopappou Hill, which houses Philopappos Monument, offers a beautiful panorama of Athens away from the crowds.
Learn all about the sights and history of the viewpoint in this complete guide to Filopappou Hill in Athens.
What Can I Do on Filopappou Hill?
At a height of 147 meters, Filopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis, is one of the most beautiful vantage points in Athens. The hill, which was called the Muse Hill in ancient times, forms a chain of hills along with Nymph Hill and Pnyx.
The climb up Filopappou hill is a bit steep but rewarded with a breathtaking panorama. You can see the Acropolis and all of Athens down to the sea and the seaside town of Piraeus. In contrast to Lycabettus Hill and Areopagus, there are rarely tourist crowds here. The view is particularly beautiful in the evening, when the sea of lights in Athens shines and the Acropolis shines in a new light.
In addition to the view, you can also admire sights such as Socrates' prison, Dora Stratou theater, the small church of Agios Dimitrios Lumbardiaris, as well as the Philopappos ancient funerary monument, which gave the hill its name.
With its beautiful nature, the green hill is also a popular retreat for locals, who like to visit it for hiking, picnicking and lounging.
How Do I Get to Filopappou Hill?
Filopappou Hill is southwest of the Acropolis. Several paths lead up Filopappou Hill. As the ascent is a bit steep, sturdy shoes are recommended.
The nearest stop is the “Akropolē” bus stop, which is served by bus line 230 and stops in close proximity to Filopappou Hill. Alternatively, you can also take the M2 metro to “Acropoli” and walk to the hill for about 10 minutes.
Visitors arriving from the Piraeus cruise port can go to the nearby Piraeus Metro Station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 14-minute journey to Thissio station. From there it is about 12 minutes to Filopappou Hill.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Filopappou Hill is southwest of the Acropolis. Along with Nymph hill and Pnyx, it forms a chain of hills
The nearest stop is the “Akropolē” bus stop, which is served by bus line 230 and stops in close proximity to Filopappou Hill. Alternatively, you can also take the M2 metro to “Acropoli” and walk to the hill for about 10 minutes. Several paths lead up Filopappou Hill.
Visitors arriving from the Piraeus cruise port can go to the nearby Piraeus Metro Station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 14-minute journey to Thissio station. From there it is about 12 minutes to Filopappou Hill.
On Filopappou Hill are sights such as the prison of Socrates, the Dora Stratou Theater, the small church of Agios Dimitrios Lumbardiaris and the ancient tomb monument Philopappos.
Visitors to Filopappou Hill can enjoy breathtaking views of Athens. In addition, the beautiful landscape is ideal for walking, relaxing and picnicking. On the hill there are some attractions to visit such as Philopappos Monument, Socrates Prison, Dora Stratou Theater and the small church of Agios Dimitrios Lumbardiaris.
History of Filopappou Hill
The origins of Filopappou Hill date back to ancient times when the place was called Muse Hill. The ancient Athenians supposedly assumed that the muses of the gods resided here.
Along with Nymph Hill and Pnyx, Filopappou Hill forms a chain of hills. The popular assemblies of the free citizens of Athens took place here, where they discussed political issues and made important decisions.
In the year 294 B.C. A fortress was built on the hilltop at the behest of the Macedonian general Demetrios Poliorketes in order to overlook the strategically important road to Piraeus.
However, Filopappou Hill owes its current name to the tomb monument that was built by the Athenians between 114 and 119 AD. The Philopappos Monument was intended to honor the Roman senator and benefactor Julius Antiochus Philopappos.
In its more recent history, the hill was planted and has been a popular local recreation area ever since. As one of the best vantage points in the city, Filopappou Hill is one of the must-see spots in Athens.