The summit view
All of Athens, the sea, Piraeus and the mountains.
George E. Koronaios — CC BY-SA 4.0 · George E. Koronaios — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rakoon — CC0 · Rakoon — CC0
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 — 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 — which is rare — 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 café 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 30–45 minutes' climb; or by car to a park near the summit. ⚠ The best timing is **sunset** — 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
The Lycabettus FunicularA funicular railway climbing inside a tunnel bored through Lycabettus hill to it5 minutes walk3.9
Strefi HillA small rocky hill above the Exarcheia district, rising to about a hundred and s11 minutes walk4.4
National GalleryGreece's principal museum of **modern Greek art**, reopened in **2021** after an11 minutes walk4.7
War MuseumGreece's national army museum, in a Brutalist concrete building of the 1970s on 11 minutes walk4.6
The Byzantine & Christian MuseumThe Byzantine Museum carries the thousand years the antiquities route drops: pag11 minutes walk4.5**Ride up and walk down** — 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. ⚠ 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 — 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 — with two evenings, do one each.