# Filopappou Hill at sunset

What to do en Athens · Athens

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/philopappos-hill · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Desde: 0 € 
- Duración: 1 h
- Para quién: All ages

The pine-covered hill opposite the Acropolis: a 20-minute climb along the Pikionis paths and the Parthenon head-on at sunset. Free.

What it is and what you see
Filopappou Hill is the pine-covered rise directly opposite the Acropolis, to the south-west. The ancients called it the Hill of the Muses (Mouseion). At the top is the monument that gives it its name: the tomb of Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, a prince of the kingdom of Commagene, in present-day Turkey, who lived in Athens, held Athenian citizenship and died in AD 116. His sister and the Athenians built the mausoleum after his death, and what remains is the curved marble facade with reliefs.
What brings you here is the view. From the summit you see the Parthenon head-on and almost at the same height, with the Propylaia and the whole west face of the rock. On the other side the city opens out to Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf, and to the north, Lycabettus. It is the most repeated photograph of the Acropolis, and the one that heads this page.
How to climb
The path starts from the pedestrian street Dionysiou Areopagitou, to the west, opposite the access that climbs towards the main entrance of the Acropolis. At the start you pass the small church of St Demetrios Loumbardiaris and enter the stone paths designed by the architect Dimitris Pikionis between 1954 and 1957: slabs of marble and stone laid by hand, steps and terraces with local plants. It is a work of architecture in itself, to be walked slowly.
From the street to the monument allow about 20 minutes at an easy pace, with a continuous but gentle climb. On the way there are forks and viewpoints: always keep going up and towards the monument, which can be seen from afar.
The nearest metro station is Akropoli, on line 2; from there you walk ten minutes along Dionysiou Areopagitou to the start of the path. There is no parking: come on foot.
When to go
At sunset, when the sun goes down behind the sea and the light falls on the west face of the Acropolis. At that hour quite a few people go up, but the summit is broad and there is always rock to sit on. First thing in the morning it also looks good and is almost empty. At midday in summer avoid the climb: the pines give shade on the path, but the summit is in the sun.
Price and facilities
It is free and there is no ticket office. There is no bar at the top and no drinking fountains to count on: bring water. There are no toilets on the summit either.
With children, pushchair and dog
With children it is an easy walk: the paths are wide and there are pines to rest under. Keep an eye on them at the top, because the rocks on the summit slope away. With a pushchair it is a struggle, because of the steps and uneven slabs; a baby carrier is better. With a dog, you can walk on a lead.
The polished stones of the path are slippery with smooth soles, and even more after rain. Wear shoes with grip and bring a torch or your phone if you are going down at night: the paths have little light.
Combine with
On the way down you have the Koukaki district and the tavernas of Dionysiou Areopagitou. If you are staying in the area, the Herodion Hotel and the Athens Backpackers hostel are ten minutes' walk from the start of the path.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 37.9672, 23.7193

## Cerca de aquí

- [Herodion Hotel](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/herodion-hotel), a 681 m
- [Acropolis of Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/acropolis), a 737 m
- [Acropolis Museum](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/acropolis-museum), a 828 m
- [Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/ancient-agora), a 872 m
- [Athens Backpackers](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/athens-backpackers), a 874 m
- [Plaka Hotel Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/plaka-hotel), a 1.2 km
- [City Circus Athens Hostel](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/city-circus-athens), a 1.4 km
- [Lukumades](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-eat/loukoumades), a 1.4 km

## Consejos

### Go up half an hour before sunset
That way you get a spot on the summit rocks and see the whole change of light.

### Wear shoes with grip
The marble slabs of the Pikionis path are slippery, especially going down.

### Come down with your phone light
The paths are poorly lit after sunset.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to climb Filopappou?
About 20 minutes at an easy pace from Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.

### Do you have to pay?
No. It is an open hill, with no ticket office.

### Can you see the Acropolis well from the top?
Yes. From the summit you see it head-on, almost at the same height, with the Parthenon and the Propylaia.

Destino: [Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens.md)