Athens Sights - Mount Lykavittos

best views of athens from Mt. Lyk The distinctive conical shape of Mount Lykavittos is crowned by the church of Aghios Giorgos (Saint George) and dominates the skyline of Athens.

For first time visitors - en route from the airport by taxi, having your driver make Mt. Lykabbetus your very first destination, even for half an hour, is highly recommended. ( only 4 eu waiting time by taxi meter)

Mt. Lykabettus is centrally located and hardly at all out of your way for 90% of downtwon Athens hotels. From the summit's observation post, complete with binocular stands, visitors to Greece can see the whole city while orienting themselves to Athens most famous landmarks including a spectacular view of the Acropolis, Piraues and the Saronic Gulf. Its a crime not to enjoy this fabulous FREE view.

(Photo above left of Lykavittos, which is a pre-Greek name and means: "the mountain of wolves", as seen from Kessariani Monastery) Pronounced: lee-ka-veetos (only foreigners call it "Lyk a Bet us") Phote left from Mars Hill under Acropolis.

A little over 270 m tall, it is the highest point in the city and provides an excellent vantage point from where to get acquainted with both the modern and the ancient city. Bring a city map, preferably the ‘Historical Map of Athens’ (available at the National Archaeological Museum and other major ancient sites) to help orientate yourself.

From the posh neighborhood of Kolonaki, on the south side of Lykavittos, the walk uphill takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes. A broad paved path, the one also taken by the faithful on the Feast Day of Saint George (23 April), zigzags up from Aristippou street.

For those who dread the walk there is a funicular railway terminal above Kolonaki Sq. A large number of unpaved paths start from other places around the hill. A taxi will get you to the top for 3 eu and is the easiest way.

view from mt. lykabettus On a clear day, the view from the summit encompasses Athens, the surrounding mountains (from east to west: Hymettos, Pentelicon, Parnes and the much lower Aegaleon), the harbor town of Piraeus, the Saronic gulf with the islands of Salamis and Aegina. Adjacent to the Church of St. George is a 4 star restaurant with the best view in town.

Clearly visible ancient landmarks within the city are the Acropolis, the Agora, the Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Those who own a Historical Map of Athens will also be able to trace the line of the ancient city wall and to get a good idea of the extent of the ancient city.

Modern landmarks include Syntagma square with the Parliament building, the National Garden and the round Zappeion Hall.

expensive but "recommended" The name Lykavittos is not Greek so the hill must, therefore, have received its name before the arrival of Greek-speaking people around 2200-2000 BC.

In myth, Lykavittos is thought to have been a rock that was accidentally dropped by the goddess Athena, when she was kindly helping the Athenians to build the Acropolis.

Lykos means wolf in modern parlance. Left is the view from the observatory of the Church of St. George at its summit. Access: free and unrestricted. Here below are just some of the things to be seen from this vantage point.

the Temple of Olympian Zeus as seen from Mt. Lykabettus