The 3 Best Parks to Visit in Athens, Greece

Athens, Greece
Athens, Greece. Photo by Stavrialena Gontzou on Unsplash

Athens doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to city parks. In fact, the green space per capita may be the lowest in Europe, according to Lonely Planet. And yet, there are still some lovely, shady, and greenery-filled spots around the city if you just know where to look. Here are some of the best parks in Athens.

Stavros Niarchos Park

This green space is made up of a few tree-lined trails, perfect for jogging and cycling, leading to a vast central park that is ideal for picnics, football games, and yoga. Check out the schedule for free yoga classes and outdoor movie nights, as well as other events taking place at the adjoining Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Diomedes Botanical Garden

Just a short metro ride from the city center will take you to Diomedes Botanical Park. This is the Eastern Mediterranean’s largest botanical garden, where you can see the ivy dedicated to the god of wine Dionysus among other famous plants from Greek mythology.

National Garden and the Zappeion

The National Garden was originally built as a walled royal garden in the early 1800s and is now a beloved Athenian park. The greenery can be a bit wild, but the tall palms and dark thickets provide a rare shady treat in the summer months.