Mount Lycabettus (in Greek: Lykavittos) is a hill in the Greek capital Athens, which is roughly in the city center, and with 277 meters it is the highest point in Central Athens. It has two peaks, near the Eatern point is the Lycabetos Theatre (currently closed), at the Western point is the Chapel of St. George and a restaurant.

The chapel is built on the hill where the temple of Zeus was located in ancient times. The walls of the building are whitewashed on the outside, the interior is rather a bit on the darker side. This was once a Byzantine chapel, but then reconstructed and founded in 1834. The building is from the 1870s.

In the chapel there are several confessionals, a prayer area for votive candles and various exhibits and religious items, including an icon of St. George slaying the dragon. Photography is prohibited in the inside. This is a religious place.

Across the chapel door is the bell tower, which was built in 1902.

The area around the bell tower is a viewpoint, with a beautiful view over the city of Athens.

Restaurant K.GRILL

Behind the chapel, along the pathway to the street, is the K.GRILL and the Sky Bar. This is in the same building as the hill station of the cable car. In this building are also restrooms located. From here to the chapel is a couple of steps up.

The restaurant has outdoor seating, in a small patio.

How to get to Chapel of St. George

There are several ways to get to the chapel: by foot or bike, use a car or taxi and walk around 250 meters, or use the cable car.

Walking

The shortest way to walk up to the top is by using the zig-zag steps which start near the ground station of the cable car. One entrance is at the end of Δώρας Δ’ Ίστρια (Dora D’ Istria), another one is at the stairs at the end of Αριστίππου (Aristippou).

The path mostly consists of wide steps, made from concrete. It passes by the Orizontes Lycabettus restaurant. Along the way is a fence where visitors attached banderoles from the water bottles.

Shortly after you arrive at the “last steps”, pass through the gate and then you are in front of the chapel.

Cable Car

The Lycabettus Hill Funicular ground station is at: Aristippou 1, 106 76 Athens.

Under normal conditions the cable car is operating every day from 9am in the morning to 1am past midnight. Cars go every 10 to 30 minutes, depending on demand.

The late operation times make this the ideal choice to capture night pictures of Athens from the hill.

By car and taxi

The way to reach the chapel by car is also the alternative way to walk up the hill. The road that winds its way along the north of the hill starts at Σαρανταπήχου (*Sarantapichou) and ends at the east side at Παλιγγενεσίας (Paligenesias). Near the chapel and theatre is a parking area.

From the street follow the signs, the walking path is around 250 meters, slightly uphill. The way is paved, cactuses line the path. This path is not suitable for wheelchairs, and includes a number of steps and stairs.

More Information

• Chapel of St. George (Webseite)
• Lycabettus Funicular (Cable Car) (Webseite)
• Lycabetos Theatre (Webseite)

Photo Credits

All photos by Andreas Scherbaum.