Kolonaki & Lycabettus Hill

Seen from the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in Athens at 908 feet above sea level with St. George's Church at the top (along with a cafe). I walked from the Acropolis to the base of the mountain, but you can climb the steps all the way to the top if you are in Olympian shape (I did not).

Kolonaki is an upscale neighborhood at the base of the hill, with a host of internationally known name brand shops and the only Starbucks I saw during my entire stay (yes, Greeks were drinking coffee inside).
Besides the beautifully appointed homes, there were offices for lawyers and doctors lining the streets.
To get to the funicular which takes you to the top of the hill you must first climb FOUR sets of these stairs. This is number one.
This is number four, when (or if) you get to the top and you get to ride the rest of the way up to the top.
The funicular goes up and down every half hour and costs 3 Euros roundtrip.

Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with views of the entire city, including the radio and television antennae lines that are all mounted up here (and in my picture). The blue edge on the horizon is the sea.







From this point you see the other hills in Athens.

At the top there is of course a church (St. Geroge's) and the Greek Flag.

Considering the church was built in the 19th Century, this is quite a feat.

Perhaps it is time to go inside and offer a prayer of gratitude for making it to this point in both altitude and life:)