Lycabettus Hill is a vantage point that gives a great view of the city of Athens below. The other hill that offers a view of the city is the Acropolis. This 1000-foot high limestone rock is a favorite trek for Athenians and tourists. Lycabettus which means “Hill of Wolves” is the place to be on “Clean Monday” which is the first day of Lenten according to the Greek Orthodox Church. On this day Athenians gather here to fly kites and the sky is full of colors.

The Agios Georgios Church sits atop the Acropolis and beckons the faithful. Cabs go half the distance and then you have to walk to the top. Another option is to take the funicular and you’ll cover the distance in two minutes. The cable cars are available every half hour from 9 am till midnight. An open-air theater and a café atop the hill are an ideal setting to spend the day in a pleasant manner and take in a show. The theater is used to stage plays in the summer months between June and September.

The trail to the top of the Lycabettus hill is a thickly wooded one and the climb can be fun if you’re with a group of like-minded hardy trekkers. The view from Lycabettus is worth the effort in getting up there. On a clear day you can see as far as Mount Parnes in the north, Piraeus in the west, and the Saronic Gulf. Kolonaki, which is the most chic area in Athens, lies at the base of Lycabettus Hill.

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