Whether you’re living in Athens or just visiting for a few days, it’s well worth venturing beyond the frenetic pace of the city centre to discover greener pastures. From the north side of the city and charming verdant suburbs like Kifissia, to the National Garden near Syntagma square and the new Experience Park in Elliniko, there is always a way to enjoy the outdoors in scenic and peaceful areas.
Bring along good company and a sense of adventure, a willingness to explore and an appetite for long walks (you’ll need it when you reach some of the impressively expansive areas we list here) and essential supplies to make the most of your time.
The Experience Park, Elliniko
Just off the Athenian Riviera, the city’s newest green meeting point and Europe’s largest coastal park is the perfect place for leisurely walks, outdoor gatherings and children’s activities in its large, green spaces.
From “walls” of fountains that are particularly refreshing on a hot summer’s day and impressive to watch at night to its 55,000 plants and 500 trees, this impressive space near Elliniko metro station is ideal for an early morning walk or some post-work rebalancing.
Kids can spend hours playing in the children’s park, an area inspired by the history of civil aviation. The wooden climbing frames and fun, colourful rides will make you want to be a kid again. The vast space (of over 70,000 square meters) is also ideal for a rewarding run along rows of trees, a bike ride along the cycling paths or an outdoor yoga session in the training area.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
A popular hangout in the greater Kallithea area, the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center draws visitors throughout the year who come to see events and exhibitions, play in the playground, watch the dancing fountains, enjoy a free pedalo ride in the canal and participate in classes.
The SNFCC has a rich program of every kind of class for visitors of all ages and including things like running, yoga, volleyball, sailing, theatre, painting, cross-training and football.
Papago Park
With features like a dog park, a large playground, a pretty pond, a big water fountain and statues of Greek revolutionaries in different parts of the grounds, it’s no wonder that this park has remained popular over the last few decades. The park even includes an amphitheatre, where music performances and plays are staged, and a bar called Piu Verde. If you don’t have your own transport you’ll have to walk around 10 minutes from the Ethniki Amyna metro station.
Tritsis Park
Athens’ largest Metropolitan park, this urban oasis in the western suburbs of Attica covers a huge area of around 48,500 square metres. Here, the water element rules: six artificial lakes dominate the lush green landscape, connected via a large artificial channel. The park is also considered as one of the last refuges of wildlife in Athens, and the Greek Ornithological Society has recorded over 140 bird species.
A long, leisurely walk among thousands of fruit trees, 180 acres of vineyards and countless olive trees will make you feel as if you’ve teleported to a pristine, natural landscape far from any city. This is a wonderful place to bring your children, as it regularly hosts various activities for kids that keep them busy for hours on end. On the outskirts of the park, you’ll find the Queen’s Tower, once the summer home of Queen Amalia of Greece, where apart from the beautiful castle has stables, gardens and a winery.
Nea Philadelphia Park
A hugely popular spot in the western suburbs of the city, this park runs along Dekelias Avenue and is a favourite all-day meeting place for residents of the area. On weekends, and especially during summer, it’s buzzing with activity, with groups and families hanging out, playing or even enjoying a drink before visiting the open-air cinema here. Kids can safely cycle and skate along the designated pathways, while dog owners can bring along their four-legged friends to play in the dog park.
Eleftherias Park
Just a stone’s throw away from the Megaron Mousikis metro station, Eleftherias Park is one of the city’s most popular green spaces. Although it rises on a small hill right over busy Vas. Sophias Ave., just a short break on the grass offers quality some respite from city life, and on summer nights, relaxing among the foliage and fragrant flowers you may even feel a sweet breeze. Many employees from nearby offices take their daily break here, while for those who prefer to sit on a chair instead of the grass, the café-restaurant Noah stands just a few meters up.
For more lush adventures head to the Athens Concert Hall gardens next door, where in summer live music gigs take place and where the stylish Fuga bar-restaurant is located.
Kifissia Par
In Kifissia, this relatively small but charming park serves as a regenerative stop for visitors and residents. The park first opened its doors in 1885, when the Attica Railway extended the electric railway line to Kifissia. Since then, more and more regulars have found something to love here, and there are even more than a few who come just to enjoy a stroll in the park and a coffee at the small cafe under the umbrellas.
There is no playground in this park, but kids can entertain themselves by visiting the two ponds or visiting at Christmastime, when the park transforms into a festive wonderland, with many rides and food stands. On the first days of May, the annual Flower Show is hosted here.
National Garden
Within minutes of entering, you will feel refreshed and pacified. Near Syntagma metro station, this is a wonderful place for getting away from the city’s hustle and bustle and finding shade on the hottest days of summer.
The National Garden of Athens extends across a total area of 154,000 square metres and was originally part of the surrounding area of the palaces, i.e. the current Parliament. As the first organized green zone of modern Greece, the National Garden was commissioned by Queen Amalia and originally included a broad variety of flowers, plants, trees and herbs as well as exotic animals from around the world.
Today you will find a large pond that’s home to swans and ducks, as well as a series of animal pens hosting wild goats, exotic birds and rabbits. There is a shady café, located at the entrance off Irodotou street, and for kids, a large playground as well as the Children’s Library, which is open daily from 9am to 2pm.
Read also:
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The most impressive waterparks in Greece
5 verdant parks in Attica, safe for strolling and playing with children
