Over the course of my many visits to Athens, I discovered the best viewpoints in the city. Seeing Athens from above is a magical sight, at any time of the day. I don’t know why but I love those seemingly endless rows of whitewashed buildings. I have seen them at sunrise, sunset, midday, and on cloudy days. The weather conditions change them to a greater extent than in any other city. I’ve compared Athens to a blank canvas before, a canvas on which the sun showcases its magic. I still stand by that statement and you”ll know what I mean if you’ve visited. So without further ado, here are the best viewpoints in Athens!
Mount Lycabettus
I previously included Mount Lycabettus on my list of magical places in Athens. Out of the most popular viewpoints in Athens, this is the only one that has my heart. A lot of that is due to one magical sunset back in 2022. What’s more, this was my first and only time climbing Lycabettus Hill yet it etched itself into my memory forever. As enchanting as the sunset was, dusk was even more captivating. The city lights and remnants of a colorful sunset made for an unforgettable mental image that is still in my head.
Philopappos Hill
One of Athens’ best-hidden secrets right there in plain sight, Philopappos Hill offers the best view of the Acropolis. Situated directly across from it, the echo of the crowds carries onto the other side. Which is pretty fascinating considering how far the two hills are from one another! To get to the top, you’ll have to do a little hike but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts. Once you get to the Philopappos Monument, you can marvel at the Acropolis and the rest of the city. This is truly one of the best viewpoints in Athens and it’s never crowded!
Attican Grove
I’m not sure I would’ve discovered this place and its many viewpoints without knowing someone from Athens. Years ago, my friend took me here for drinks with a view but it wasn’t until my next visit that I explored it more. There is not just one but dozens of different viewpoints of Athens from Attican Grove. An urban forest area, this is a park of impressive dimensions. We took a few walks here on two separate occasions and ultimately found the best viewpoint. Seeing all of Athens sprawled under our feet at sunset was an extraordinary sight. I would recommend taking half a day and exploring the many viewpoints the Attican Grove offers!
Aeropagus Hill
This is probably the most famous viewpoint in Athens, with a view of the Acropolis. To put it bluntly, Aeropagus Hill is a prominent rock outcrop whose exact purpose is still unknown. Today, it’s one of the most crowded places at sunset in Athens. It’s certainly among the most popular viewpoints in Athens, if not the most popular one. When I visited this spot in 2022, scaffolding was covering a big part of the Acropolis. However, the opposite side provided some gorgeous views of the city through the flowers.
Strefi Hill
One Sunday morning, I woke up bright and early, eager for some exercise. I headed toward Strefi Hill and climbed up and down it, looking for the best viewpoints. First of all, I didn’t expect to see the Acropolis perfectly framed by hanging trees. And the view of the hilly streets looking perfectly symmetrical was amazing. You’ll only find locals around Streffi Hill so go ahead and discover one of the best hidden viewpoints in Athens!
A for Athens
I’ve already mentioned A for Athens in my blog post on the best rooftop bars in Athens. You’ll find many other cafés, all offering unique viewpoints of Athens. However, this was my personal favorite one. It’s the one I’ll go back to first when I revisit the city. Visiting any of these places will end in memorable sunsets so I urge you to find your favorites among the many rooftop bars!
Filothei Hill
The farthest of all the viewpoints in Athens that I mentioned, Filothei Hill is a bit of a hidden gem. With a network of trails, playgrounds, and a café I keep returning to, it offers stunning views of the city. Some of them give you a view of Athens that resembles tiny Greek villages. Others let the entire city unfurl in front of your eyes for a magnificent sunset. While it’s a bit out of the way, it’s more than worth it. Think of it as a half day-trip with some hiking topped off with drinks on the terrace!
Acropolis
Lastly, the most obvious of the viewpoints in Athens is the Acropolis itself. Rising above the city, it offers a wonderful 360° view of the city. In fact, you can even spot the port Piraeus in the distance! All I remember from my first visit on a hot May day was how crowded it was early in the morning. So this year, since I was visiting during January, I chose to visit before closing time. This meant I was just in time for watching the sun setting over the city. And let me tell you, my best piece of advice for the Acropolis is to visit an hour or two before it closes. No matter the time of the year, it’ll be the least crowded time of any day!
Brigita, I haven’t seen such beautiful travel photography in a long time! I am devouring all your posts and discovering places I never knew existed, but instantly feel the need to see for myself. Congratulations on creating such an inspiring body of work!
Thank you so much, Emily! That really means a lot, I’m flattered by your compliments!