See Also
- Top-Rated Lodgings in Athens
- Places to Stay in Athens
- Top Dining Spots in Athens
- Prime Activities to Enjoy in Athens
- Complete Athens Travel Guide
Best Athens Tours and Tickets:
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• Combo Ticket for Athens including Archaeological Sites and Museum (7 sites + Museum, no tour).
Lycabettus Hill in Athens
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- Mount Lycabettus, or Lycabettus Hill as locally designated, towers prominently yet centrally amid bustling Athens, adjoining Syntagma Square to the northwest and southeast. Peaking over 300 meters, the limestone promontory surges almost double the altitude of the revered Acropolis, garnering sightseers wishing to savor panoramic panoramas of the metropolis from elevated vistas. Ascenders primarily ascends the landmark to admire the spectacular 360-degree perspectives of the urban fabric, relish the sundown, and appreciate illumination of the millennia-old monuments and structures below after dusk, such as the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Ancient Agora.
In addition to the incredible views at the summit, other attractions on Lycabettus Hill include the 19th century Church of Saint George (Agios Georgios), built in 1870 and housing certain frescoes worthy of interest; and a large open-air amphitheater hosting Greek and international concerts. Artists who have performed in the Lycabettus amphitheater include Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, BB King, Moby, Peter Gabriel, and Black Sabbath, among others. While closed since 2008, plans are underway to reopen the amphitheater following structural renovations. Also located on the hill are a cafe serving snacks, breakfast items, and lunches, as well as a renowned fine dining establishment called Orizontes, open for dinner (reservations recommended).
How to Get to the Top of Mount Lycabettus
Visitors can stroll, drive, take a taxi or ride the cable car (teleferik) to the top of Mount Lycabettus. Unless taking the cable car, some inclines will need to be climbed. Note that the cable car does not provide views, as it travels through a steep tunnel.
Quality Inn near Hearst Castle
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- On Foot: Hiking up the hill can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your starting point, pace, and number of stops along the route. Access points to the trail are scattered throughout the perimeter of the hill; one of the most popular paths from Athens’ tourist center is from Plutarchiou Street: at the end of the road`s vehicle access at Spefsippou Street, climb multiple blocks of pedestrian-only stairway and turn left at the cable car station at the top; here you will find the entrance to the route up the hill. Also convenient to the tourist center are access points leading through the trees along the south and west sides of the hill on Melina Mercouri and Ilia Rogkakou Streets. The closest metro stations to the southern trailheads are Evangelismos and Megaro Moussikis, each about half a kilometer away.
- By Car: Traveling north on Ilia Rogkakou Street, just after it turns into Sarantapichou, follow signs reading “Theater” to Mount Lycabettus Road. Taking this up while still following signs for “Theater” leads to a sizable parking area near the amphitheater. From here, ascend staircases and a paved trail to reach the top. To get a ride up the hill, options include Uber or an app called Beat, similar to Uber but government regulated with most Greek taxis registered, making it a better choice.
