Lycabettus Funicular, Funicular railway in Kolonaki, Greece
The Lycabettus Funicular is an underground cable railway in Kolonaki that runs from the base directly to the summit of Mount Lycabettus. The 210-meter tunnel climbs steeply and emerges at an observation platform with views across the entire city.
The funicular was built by the Greek Tourist Organization in the early 1960s and began operating in 1965. It was the first project of its kind in Athens and was designed to give both tourists and residents easy access to the summit.
The funicular carries visitors to the Chapel of St. George at the summit, where Byzantine icons and votive candles reflect Greek Orthodox traditions. The chapel is a place where Athenians gather during major celebrations like Easter and name days.
The journey takes about three minutes and two small cars with 34 seats each run regularly throughout the day. It is best to go early in the morning or late in the evening when there are fewer crowds.
The tunnel runs at a 28-degree angle and is completely underground, so passengers see daylight only at the beginning and end of the ride. This makes it the only funicular in Athens that is almost entirely hidden beneath the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
