Hymettus was assigned the status of a protected area in the EU's Natura 2000 ecological network.

Today the southern peaks are called Mavrovouni (Μαυροβούνι, "black mountain") and Kontra (Κόντρα).

[1] The neighboring communities that surround the mountain are Athens (proper), Zografou, Kaisariani, Vyronas, Ilissia (a region of Zografou), Ymittos, Ilioupoli, Argyroupoli, Elliniko, Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni in the west, Varkiza, Vari, Markopoulo and Paiania to its east, and Papagou, Cholargos, Agia Paraskevi, Gerakas and Glyka Nera.

The largest and most notable is Koutouki cave [el], which has its entrance on the east flank of the mountain, near Paiania.

A transmitter park for several major TV and radio stations, along with military radar is located at the top of the mountain.