Athens Filopappou Hill

Location: Thissio

The Hill and Monument of Filopappou (or Philopappou) in Athens is a green area to the southwest of the Acropolis. It is a favorite place for a promenade among Athenians as it offers great views of the Acropolis, the whole city of Athens and the Aegean Sea that surrounds Attica.
The hill owes its name to the grandson of the last king of Commagene, Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos.

VISIT FILOPAPPOU HILL WITH A WALKING TOUR OF ATHENS CITY!
Athens is an open museum and the best way to visit most of its sights is via walking. This tour will take you to the main landmarks in Athens, including the Acropolis, the Hellenic Parliament, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus and many more!
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In ancient times, the hill was called Mousion Hill, named after the poet Musaeus of Athens, who lived, taught and was buried there.

After many years, though, the Roman Prince of Commagene (an ancient Greek-Iranian kingdom in Armenia) Philopappos settled in Athens.
He became an Athenian citizen and was very active within the community. In fact, Philoppapos acquired religious, political and civic duties in both Athens and Rome.
He was considered a great benefactor and was highly esteemed by the residents. He had also become friends with philosophers, including Plutarch.

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Top Tours and activities

• Walking tour with Acropolis and city tour

  Category: City, Walking

  Hop on this fascinating walking tour around the centre of Athens, starting from the Greek Parliament and finishing at the majestic Parthenon atop the Acropolis Hill.

  3 hours & 30 min Map

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• Self-drive classic route

  Category: Other, Multi Days, City Breaks, City, Private, Ancient Sites, Shore Excursions

  Explore Greece by car on this self-drive classic route. Give your self the change to see the capital of Greece, Athens, and the most important archaeological sites of the country at your own pace!

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More information about Filopappou Hill

When Philopappos died in 116 AD, his loss induced great sadness in the people of Athens. They, along with the Prince's sister Julia Balbilla, constructed a tomb for him on the hill. The grave monument of Philopappos was constructed of marble from Mount Pentelikon.
Close to the monument and obscured from sight stands a stone structure with iron gates. According to tradition, this is the prison where the great Greek philosopher Socrates was imprisoned.

A paved path starts from Filopappou and leads to the Pnyx Hill, where the great Greek orators of antiquity used to gather and discuss political issues. On the far side of the hill lies the Dora Stratou Theatre, which hosts folklore dancing performances. Close to Filopappou, you will also find the National Observatory, a scientific institute for the study of astronomy and seismology, as well as the church of Agia Marina.

Finally, the quaint church of Agios Dimitrios Loubardiaris is located on the hill. It is considered a pretty romantic place, which is why people often choose it for weddings and baptisms.

How to get there

There are many ways to reach Filopappou Hill from any location in Athens.

Tours: Discover Fhilopappou Hill with an organized tour.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

On foot: As Filopappou Hill is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Thissio Metro Station or Acropolis Metro Station in less than 20 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is Thissio (Green Line). Note that Filopappou Hill is located within a 20-minute walking distance from the metro. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is "Akropoli" (Bus line 230). Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.