Hotels near Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus is the highest point in Athens at 277 metres - a limestone cone topped by the whitewashed Chapel of St George (Agios Georgios) and a panoramic terrace with the city's widest view, from the Saronic Gulf to Mount Hymettus to the Acropolis just below. The hill is the geological remnant of an ancient sea floor; legend has it Athena dropped it while building the Acropolis.

The funicular runs from Aristippou Street in Kolonaki to the summit in 4 minutes (EUR 10 return, every 30 min from 9am to 2.30am). The walking trail from Plateia Dexamenis takes 30 minutes uphill - shaded, stepped, free. The summit cafe-restaurant Orizontes is touristy but the views over the Acropolis at sunset justify a single drink.

Pro Tip: Time arrival for 30 minutes before sunset - the Acropolis turns rose-gold at golden hour and the funicular queues thin. The terrace just below the chapel (free, public) has a better view than the paid cafe.