Athens has several hills and mountains from which you can have a beautiful view of the big city. Both during the day and during the sunset (or as an enthusiast with sunrise). During my city trip to Athens I visited them all. These are the most beautiful and best viewpoints in Athens.
The 5 best viewpoints Athens
1. Areopagus Hill
This 115 meter high hill / rock used to house the highest court in Athens. This hill is free to visit and combines well with the Acropolis because it’s so close. Tourists visit this rock because you have a beautiful view of the Acropolis, but the locals also like to drink a beer here with nice weather. From the hill / rock you look down on the Agora of Athens with the Temple of Hephaistos.
It may seem difficult from a distance to climb the hill, but fortunately there is a metal staircase that makes the climb considerably easier! This is the view from Areopagus hill.
2. Strefi Hill
The Strefi hill is located more to the north of the city. The climb to the top is easy. This is perhaps the only one of the few viewpoints in Athens where you have a 360 degree view of the city from the top. I don’t think many tourists visit this hill. That could be because it is a bit more out of the center. At night many homeless people put up their tent here.
3. Acropolis
The acropolis is one of the most visited viewpoints in Athens, but you really have a beautiful view of the city. Because the Acropolis is so high (156 meters high) you can see very far. Also because it’s a relatively flat mountain, you have a view from each side over a different part of the city. During the climb to the top of the table mountain you will already encounter great photogenic views. From the Acropolis you look atop the Areopagus hill / rock.
Below you can see the view from the Acropolis on the Lycabettus hill.
4. Philopappos Hill
This hill is a bit like a park. There are a lot of bushes and trees which makes the climb pleasant. It’s a beautiful and not very difficult climb, because the route is not steep. From this hill you have a good view of the Acropolis and especially the Parthenon. The hill is about as high as the Acropolis. On top of the hill is a monument dedicated to Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos.
5. Lycabettus Hill
This is one of the most famous hills and most beautiful viewpoints in athens. The hill with a height of 277 meters (already a mountain for us Dutch) is the highest in Athens. It’s possible to climb the hill, or to take a funicular for € 5 one way or € 7.50 return. The cable car is rather boring because you don’t have a nice view during the ride. The funicular train goes up through a dark tunnel, but at least it saves you some effort!
Because we had read in advance on the internet that it’s a big climb, we took the funicular train. This may be recommended in the summer when it can be very hot, but in hindsight we should’ve walked. The descent is not too bad and takes about 20 minutes. Along the way there are a number of places to rest on benches or walls.
