Mount Lycabettus rises high above the urban sprawl of Athens, rewarding anyone who scales it with uninterrupted views of the city and beyond. Make your way to the hill’s rocky summit by taxi, on foot, or in the cable car. Once you have reached the peak, take time to savour the vistas on offer at the city’s highest point. Enjoy a sit-down meal or a snack, visit a picturesque white-stuccoed church, and look out for city landmarks down below.
The base of Mount Lycabettus is covered in pine trees, and the ground rises dramatically to a pair of rocky limestone peaks that loom tall above the city. Hike to the summit on a zigzagging path that begins in the steep streets of Kolonaki, situated at the end of Aristippou Street. The ascent should take around 20 minutes on foot.
If you don’t feel like hiking, take the cable railway that departs from the intersection of Aristippou and Ploutarchou streets. This way you can relax and enjoy the city views from the cable car. Alternatively, take a taxi direct to the summit.
Once you have reached the peak, you will be standing at the highest point in Athens. With an elevation of 277 metres (908 feet), the viewing platform on Mount Lycabettus offers unparalleled views of the city. Use the coin-operated binoculars to make out the Acropolis, the Parthenon and other historical landmarks.
Visit the white-stuccoed Chapel of St. George, a diminutive Greek Orthodox church that dates back to the 19th century. This interesting site is home to a bell tower, and it has a fine viewing platform in front.
The base of Mount Lycabettus can be reached by using the local bus system. The cable car provides regular service to and from the summit until evening. Travellers who make the trip to Mount Lycabettus in summer would best avoid the heat by visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The views around sunset are particularly enchanting.
