The summit view
All of Athens, the sea, Piraeus and the mountains.
George E. Koronaios โ CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท George E. Koronaios โ CC BY-SA 4.0 ยท Rakoon โ CC0 ยท Rakoon โ CC0
**Ride up and walk down** โ the best combination. The funicular covers the height in minutes inside a tunnel, sparing you a hard climb in Athens heat, and walking down the spiralling path among the pines is pleasant, easy and gives you different angles on the city. โ If you insist on walking up, avoid **between ten and five in summer**: the path is exposed for long stretches and Athens heat is punishing. Take water either way.
**Philopappos** if your aim is **photographing the Acropolis**: it is nearer and lower, so the columns come out large in front of you with the light raking across them โ and it is entirely free and relatively less crowded. **Lycabettus** if your aim is **seeing the whole of Athens**: it is much higher, taking in the city, the sea and the mountains in one view, with the Acropolis a small element in a wide picture. Both are free โ with two evenings, do one each.
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The highest point in Athens: a conical rocky hill rising about **277 metres** above sea level, some hundred and fifty metres above the city around it โ and standing alone in the urban fabric, so from it you see **the whole of Athens** unobstructed. From the summit comes the view you don't forget: the **Acropolis** in front of you from above rather than below โ which is rare โ the city spreading white to the horizon, the sea and the port of Piraeus in the distance, and mountains ringing everything. At the top are the small white domed **chapel of St George**, a cafรฉ and restaurant with a terrace, and an open-air theatre that hosts summer concerts. There are three ways up: the **funicular** from the Kolonaki district, a few minutes inside a tunnel; a **footpath** winding around the hill among pines, about 30โ45 minutes' climb; or by car to a park near the summit. โ The best timing is **sunset** โ but be aware that everyone knows this.
All of Athens, the sea, Piraeus and the mountains.
A small white domed chapel at the peak.
Minutes inside a tunnel instead of a 40-minute climb.
Lycabettus Hill, 11471 Athens