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Lycabettus Hill in Athens Greece Complete Guide To Visiting

One of the things I really wanted to do when we spent 3 days in Athens over February half-term, was to go up Lycabettus Hill in Athens. A popular tourist destination and the highest point in the city. I hoped that visiting off-season would mean that we would be able to get some great views across the city. One of the problems with visiting in the winter months is that you are never guaranteed the weather. However, we got really lucky on our last full day and headed up. If you are planning on doing the same then this guide will give you everything you need to know to plan your trip.

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Complete Guide to Lycabettus Hill in Athens Greece

Lycabettus Hill, also known as Lykavittos, stands as a prominent limestone peak in the heart of Athens. Towering approximately 300 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the city. Offering breathtaking panoramic views of Athens and its landmarks, including the Acropolis, the Aegean Sea, and the surrounding mountains.

According to one of the most popular myths associated with Mount Lycabettus, the hill was created by the goddess Athena. It is said to have been created when she dropped a rock she was carrying to for the construction of the Acropolis. Resulting in Mount Lycabettus.

I have tried to cover everything in the blog post, but if you have any questions please let me know in the comments below.

How do you get up Mount Lycabettus?

There are two ways to get up to the top of the hill. Located in the center of Athens you can either catch the funicular railway to the top or hike up through the pine trees. We opted to take the funicular train up and walk back down. However, even reaching the train station is a bit of a hike albeit an urban one. With plenty of steps needed to walk up to reach the entrance on Aristippou Street, it can be difficult to locate using Google Maps. The Lycabettus Cable Car, as it is also known climbs 210 metres up the side of the hill inside the tunnel and it is quick just a couple of minutes.

We brought our tickets at the entrance and then waited for the next train. During the Summer months, they run frequently. When we visited they ran every half an hour. This meant by the time we boarded there were quite a few people waiting to get on. Since it is underground it doesn’t matter where you stand but numbers are limited. You can buy return tickets or one-way tickets. We had intended on getting the Funicular train both up and down. But in the end, due to the wait for the train to come back down, we decided to walk.

The trail down is easily located from the top of the hill next to the Church of Agios Georgios. It is hard standing all the way down with the pathway snaking through the cactus and prickly pear plants. With plenty of places to stop and take more photos. You pass a restaurant and bar which would be a good refreshment point if walking up. The walk down takes about twenty minutes.

When is the best time to visit Lycabettus Hill?

Like many tourist spots in Athens visiting in the Winter will mean fewer crowds. If you get a clear day then it is a great place to watch the sunset. Although it is likely this will be even busier. We visited late afternoon and although it was busy we managed to get to the viewpoint across to the Acropolis Hill without too much trouble. However, we did have to wait to get the train as they do not run so many this time of year.

How long do you need? We spent a couple of hours whihc included getting up and coming back down again.

What to do at the top of Mount Lycabettus

There is not masses to do at the top of the hill. Really you go for the views.

The Chapel of St. George – There is a small picturesque Greek Orthodox chapel. When we visited it was open and welcoming visitors. No pictures are allowed in the chapel itself and you should ensure clothing is respectful if you intend on entering. The Chapel is also used for weddings and services, especially on the 23rd of
The open-air Lycabettus Theatre – Although we did not take the short walk to the theatre. But it is one of the most picturesque performance venues in Athens, nestled on the southern slopes of the hill and framed by the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. It hosts various international concerts throughout the year.
Panoramic view of Athens – This is really the reason you go up to Mount Lycabettus. Once you go past the Chapel and the small bell tower there is a viewing point. Directly in front of Acropolis Hill which you can see clearly before the sea behind it. We spent some time trying to spot some of the other places we had visited including the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Ancient Agora.
Grab a bite to eat or a drink – There is a small restaurant at the top of the hill with an outside seating area. When we visited you could a set menu including a glass of wine for 16€. Which I thought was good value based on the captive audience.