Does anyone know where the final meal for the Rick Steves tour takes place in Athens? We are trying to work Mount Lycabettus into our schedule, and don't want to go before the tour if it is included in the tour in any way. It really sounds like a nice experience! I see two partial days for exploring on your own. Would we be able to include that in our day?
Posted by
11569 posts
We have not gone on any of RS tours but have gone up Mount Lycabettus. The length of time it takes depends on whether you walk all the way up or take a taxi to where get on the tram to the top. You have wonderful sweeping views of Athens all the way out to the sea.
It is in Kolonaki relatively near Syntagma Square. This is an upscale neighborhood and there are nice dining options and shops there too. My friends used to live there so we wanted to go see it..
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11873 posts
Looking at the "Itinerary" Mt L is not part of the tour.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/greece-turkey/greece
Which restaurant has the final dinner, probably varies , but is advertized as having a view of the Acropolis.
Posted by
France Southwest
2318 posts
If you want, you can go to Mount Lycabettus by bus from Syntagma Square.
Take the bus N° 060 from the bus stop on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. This is the avenue where the Benaki Museum is located. The bus stop is halfway between the square and the museum.
The bus will take you 25 meters in front of the cable car entrance. (at the "4th Lykabetto" bus stop)
Stops are announced and displayed in English on the bus. It's 1.20€ for the bus ticket and it's much more fun than the taxi.
As there is nothing else to do at Mount Lycabettus except watching the spectacular view of Athens and its pollution, after half an hour of contemplation, you can then go on foot by the North West of Mount Lycabettus, towards the Strefi hill and stroll through the district of Exarchia, the so-called "alternative" district where street art is everywhere and where there are plenty of small restaurants and friendly bars.
If it's Saturday morning (until 2pm), there's a very big farmers' market in Kallidromiou street.
Otherwise you forget this route and take the taxi. (how sad) :(((
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
932 posts
We walked to the cable car entrance from the Benaki museum with the aid of google maps. We had lunch at the restaurant at the top which has a great view. The final tour meal was just down the street from the hotel.
Posted by
Tennessee
441 posts
I did the RS Greece tour in May. Absolutely FABULOUS tour!!! My understanding is that the final meal's location varies tour by tour.
Yes, you should have time to see Mt. Lycabettus in your free time. You should already know the name/location of your Athens hotel bc it's your first and last hotel. Depending on whether you usually like to plan ahead, you may want to figure out in advance what your strategy will be (e.g. how to get there & back; whether you will ride up and down...or walk down.)
We chose to see Mt. Lycabettus on the day after the tour ended, right after we saw a museum in that area. We rode the funicular up, walked around, enjoyed a soda in the restaurant, then walked down. After we got to the bottom, we walked to the nearest subway station to return to our hotel (Hera Hotel). Note: a year ago, I read complaints on the RS Travel Forum about taxis overcharging customers - - - this pertained to passengers hailing a cab at the bottom of the hill, after riding down on the funicular. That's the reason we made a point to ride the subway back to our hotel.
My traveling buddy had also been in Athens with her family in Aug. 2019. They ate dinner at the restaurant on top of Mt. Lycabettus. She was very positive on the meal and the view.