Lycabettus Hill is a 277-metre-high viewpoint in Kolonaki, Athens, with a panoramic view over the city centre. You can walk uphill, take the cable car or reach the summit by car. The hill is about 1.6 km from Hermes Hotel.
- Location: Kolonaki, Athens
- Summit: 277 metres
- Ways up: walking paths, cable car or car
- Cable-car ride: about 3 minutes through a tunnel
What to see from Lycabettus
Lycabettus offers a panoramic view over central Athens, with the white Church of Agios Georgios at the summit. The small Church of Agioi Isidoroi is built into a cave on the hill.
The hill has a working past as well as its viewpoints: it was used as a quarry, and its stone went into some of Athens’ neoclassical buildings. During World War I, it was also used as a bunker. A recurring Good Friday candle-lit procession starts at the Church of Saint George and proceeds down the hill.
Walking up the hill
Paths on Lycabettus’s slopes lead to the summit. The city guide also identifies stairs as a way up. Access points include Aristippou Street and routes on the south and west sides along Ilia Rogakou and Melina Mercouri streets.
The walking option gives you a route through the hillside rather than a short ride through the tunnel. The city guide names Prasini Tenta café as a place to stop for refreshments and views.
If you plan to walk after dark, note that the paths are not lit; the hill may also close to visitors on days of very high wildfire risk.
How does the Lycabettus cable car work?
The Lycabettus Cable Car runs from Kolonaki to the hill on a route that takes about 3 minutes. Its lower station is at the junction of Ploutarchou and Aristippou streets, and Evangelismos is the nearest metro station identified by the operator. Athens Metro and its central stations can help you plan the journey to Evangelismos.
The route is 210 metres long and runs entirely through a tunnel, so the ride itself does not provide the open views you get from the hill. The service has two carriages, each with capacity for 34 people. The cable car was inaugurated on April 18, 1965, and began operating the following day.
Return tickets cost €13 per person and one-way tickets cost €10 per person. The operator's published hours conflict, and it says winter service may end earlier; services are scheduled every 30 minutes, with more frequent departures during peak periods. Check the official site before you go.
When should you visit Lycabettus?
Views from the summit are the main reason to time your visit around daylight and visibility. The hill is also the setting for a recurring Good Friday candle-lit procession, which starts at the Church of Saint George and goes down the hill.
If walking, keep in mind that the paths are unlit after dark and the hill may close on days of very high wildfire risk. The amphitheatre may be non-operational, although seasonal summer concerts and theatrical performances are also reported. Check its status before making plans around a show.
How do you get from central Athens to Lycabettus?
From central Athens, you can head to the cable-car station in Kolonaki, walk up one of the hillside routes or travel to the summit by car. If you’re using the metro, Evangelismos is the nearest station named by the cable-car operator. A one-day Athens walking itinerary can pair a Lycabettus visit with a route through the centre.
FAQs
How tall is Lycabettus Hill?
The hill rises to 277 metres and is in Kolonaki, Athens.
Can you walk to the top of Lycabettus?
Yes. Walking paths and stairs provide access to the summit, as do the cable car and a road for cars.
How long does the Lycabettus cable-car ride take?
The ride takes about 3 minutes and runs entirely through a tunnel.
Is the amphitheatre on Lycabettus open?
It may be non-operational, although seasonal summer performances are also reported. Check before planning to attend an event.