Report: Athens’ Lycabettus Hill offers stunning views of Acropolis, Saronic Gulf

Situated in the heart of Athens, Mount Lycabettus provides a serene, picturesque escape from the noise and hubbub of Greece’s capital, according to greekreporter.com.

At the highest elevation in all of hilly Athens, Mt. Lycabettus provides breathtaking views that stretch from the Athenian Riviera along the Saronic Gulf all the way to the mountains that surround the Greek capital.

The easy rise up to the top of the hill begins at the base of the mountain, located near the chic Athenian neighborhood of Kolonaki. If you’re not up for the jaunt, you can use a funicular to reach the top which runs about every half hour.

You can begin from Plateia Dexamenis, or Dexameni Square, where you can stop for a coffee or juice before you start your journey to the summit of the hill.

The way up to the top of Lycabettus is lined with lush trees and countless fruit-bearing cacti, which provide a welcome green oasis in the center of Athens.

Once at the top, visitors can marvel at the impressive, unique panoramic view of the city, featuring the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the port of Piraeus, the mountains surrounding the city, and even the island of Aegina on a clear day.

Those with some knowledge of the city can easily point out specific neighborhoods and landmarks from the summit, including Syntagma Square and Plaka.

The small, white-washed church dedicated to St. George, built in the nineteenth century, is situated at the very summit of the hill. Inside the picturesque church are important paintings and religious artifacts dating back hundreds of years.

Visitors can also stop at the restaurant close by, which boasts the top views of the city, for a meal, cocktail, or that essential Greek coffee.

Mount Lycabettus is an especially popular destination in the evening during the summer when the sunset blankets the city in warm tones of orange, purple, and pink, but it provides beautiful views at any time of the day and at every season.

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Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Martin451