With a height of 277 meters, Lycabettus Hill in the heart of Athens is the highest elevation in the city, as well as one of the most beautiful and popular viewpoints in Athens.
In this complete guide to Lycabettus Hill in Athens, you'll learn what to expect at the top, as well as information on how to get there and its history.
Let's begin!
Things to Do on Lycabettus Hill
1. Enjoy the View
With its sensational 360° degree panorama, Lycabettus Hill, the city's local mountain, is one of the most popular sights in Athens.
Visitors enjoy an impressive panoramic view of all of Athens, all the way to the coastal city of Piraeus, from the Lycabettus observation deck. Since the 277-meter hill is a little higher than the Acropolis, you can get a wonderful view of the historic site as well as admire other top sights, including the Olympic Stadium, Panathinaiko Stadium and the sea.
2. Explore the Area
There is also an open-air theater on the summit, as well as the charming Saint George's Chapel. Next to the church, there is an upscale restaurant that offers Greek cuisine and a terrace. Visitors will find cafes to linger in on the western slope of the hill.
3. Admire the Sunset
Lycabettus Hill is one of the city's most popular viewpoints and is especially magical when the sun goes down. That's why many visitors flock here, especially at the golden hour, who want to capture the magnificent scenery in many photos.
How To Get to Lycabettus Hill?
You can either climb Lycabettus Hill on foot or take the funicular. The most popular option is taking the funicular. See below why.
- By foot: The climb up Ploutarchou Street takes about 30 minutes. Note that the climb can be steep and therefore a bit strenuous.
- By cable car: The starting point of the cable car is located in Ploutarchou Street in the Athens neighborhood of Kolonaki, more precisely at the intersection with Aristippou Street. A ticket is required to ride the cable car. In just three minutes, it takes visitors up through a tunnel and later down again.
- From Piraeus cruise port: Visitors arriving from the cruise port in Piraeus can go to the nearby Piraeus metro station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 16-minute ride to the "Monastiraki" station. There, change to metro line 3 and ride 3 minutes to the stop "ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΠΛ.1." From here it is only 500 meters to the starting point of the cable car.
FAQ about Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill can be visited around the clock. However, the climb on foot in the dark is dangerous. The cable car usually operates from 9:00 to 01:30.
Lycabettus Hill is located in the Kolonaki neighborhood, in the center of Athens.
Lycabettus Hill can either be climbed on foot or reached by funicular. Since the approximately 30-minute climb up Ploutarchou Street can be steep and therefore a bit strenuous, taking the funicular is a popular option. In just three minutes, this takes visitors up and later back down.
The starting point of the cable car is located in Ploutarchou Street in the Athens neighborhood of Kolonaki, more precisely at the intersection with Aristippou Street. A ticket is required to ride the cable car.
Visitors arriving from the cruise port in Piraeus can go to the nearby Piraeus metro station and board the M1 line. A single ticket is sufficient for the 16-minute ride to the "Monastiraki" station. There, change to metro line 3 and ride 3 minutes to the stop "ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΠΛ.1." From here it is only 500 meters to the starting point of the cable car.
The visit to Lycabettus Hill is free of charge. However, if you take the cable car, you have to buy a ticket for both the way up and the way down. We recommend purchasing the ticket that includes both the outward and return journey and is comparatively cheaper than a one-way ticket.
The view of Lycabettus Hill is most beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Especially at sunset it can get very crowded. Therefore, it is recommended to visit the hill early in the morning. For visitors who want to hike up the hill, this is also the best time, as the temperature is cooler then and you will be accompanied by the chirping of birds.
History & Facts about Lycabettus Hill
Since ancient times, the 277 m high city hill of Athens is called "Lycabettus" hill, which means "path of the wolves". From this it can be inferred that at that time the hill was inhabited by wolves and wild animals.
A legend says that Lycabettus Hill was created by the Greek goddess Athena, who wanted to build a protective wall in front of the Acropolis and is said to have dropped it at its present location.
In the 20th century, the area, which had been largely unused until then, turned into a popular excursion destination for Athenians. Today, the hill is considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Greek capital, which is why it is popular among tourists as one of the most popular attractions in Athens.