There’s nothing like the Athens sunset! Intoxicating, in all its divine glory. As the sun descends into the sea, it fills the sky with spectacular and vibrant colors, casting magic across the city. And more than at any other moment of the day, the view from Lycabettus Hill epitomizes its splendor while at Cape Sounion, the sea and the horizon sparkle and time stands still, making Athens + the sunset = the perfect match!
Lycabettus Hill - The Best Place to See the Sunset in Athens
Every Athenian knows that the best place to see the sunset in Athens is Lycabettus Hill. An oasis in the middle of the city with rocky slopes covered with pine, olive and almond trees, the hill is visible from virtually any part of the city. Here you will have the most breathtaking view of the sunset in Athens from the highest possible point.
The best time to visit Lycabettus Hill is in the afternoon while the sun begins to set. The view from one of the most romantic places in Athens is sure to amaze you! The spectacle resembles an explosion of colors creating nostalgic images that have been immortalized in thousands of photographic films. A divine glow fills the sky, while the sea, the clouds and the horizon sparkle with purple-red light. This magnificent sight cannot fail to exalt your spirit. Neither your eyes nor your soul will have enough of its beauty. Take your cameras along and capture the breathtaking backdrop and the gorgeous moments as the sun waves you goodbye.
While at dusk, among the bedlam, parks and apartment buildings, you will see the landmarks and monuments of ancient Athens brilliantly illuminated above the city; the Acropolis, crowned with the masterpieces of Greek Classical art and architecture; the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where the theater was born; and the Panathenaic Stadium, where the Olympic Games were revived. With the telescope from the top, the view reaches the port of Piraeus and you can even see as far afield as the island of Aegina.
Perched on the summit of Lycabettus Hill, the chapel of Saint George (Agios Georgios) rests proudly, contributing to the romantic atmosphere that prevails. The whitewashed Cycladic-style chapel, built in the 19th century, is said to stand at the exact place where the Temple of Zeus Extreme was in ancient times. Just below the summit on the west side, two cannons fire twenty-one salutes at sunrise and sunset on all Greek national holidays.
While walking through the grove of trees on the western side of Lycabettus Hill, you will find another small church, that of Agion Isidoron, which was constructed somewhere between the 15th and 16th century AD. Near the small church, there is a restaurant which is a great place to enjoy a drink while accompanied by the magnificent view.
The Lycabettus Theater, a large open-air amphitheater with a capacity of 3,000 seats, is considered to have the most spectacular and extensive view of the city. During the summer, major Greek and international cultural events are hosted, attracting thousands of music and theater enthusiasts. Among the foreign artists who have performed at the Lycabettus Theatre include B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Black Sabbath, The Prodigy and the Scorpions.
Cape Sounion - The Best Place to See the Sunset in the Outskirts of Athens
With a view over the Aegean Sea, Cape Sounion is the best place to see the sunset in the outskirts of Athens. It summarizes, in an image, the ancient Greek prestige with the beauty of Greek nature. On this sacred summit, sea and sky stretch into the distance as far as the eye can see, traveling the mind to the past, present and future. Perhaps the ancient Temple of Poseidon against the backdrop of the orange-red colored sky shortly before the sun makes its peaceful dip into the deep blue sea is what characterizes it as not only one of the most beautiful sunsets in Athens but also in Greece.
Made entirely of white marble, the Temple of Poseidon was built to honor Poseidon, the god of the sea, in the 5th century BC. British poet Lord Byron was one of many who was allured by its spell, carving his name on one of its iconic marble columns and composing poetry in its honor. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most photographed landmarks in Greece, once again making Athens + the sunset = the perfect match!
Whether you chose to see the sunset from atop Lycabettus Hill or at the edge of the cliffs suspended over Cape Sounion, you will be mesmerized by the magnificent display of colors in the sky and the magic that will forever be imprinted in your memory!
