National Garden of Athens, Public garden next to Parliament, Athens, Greece
The National Garden of Athens is a 16-hectare park beside Parliament containing lakes, wooden pathways, and diverse plant species from many climates. Several entrances allow visitors to access this green space from different parts of the city.
Queen Amalia established this garden in 1838, hiring a German agronomist to bring over 500 plant species from around the world. From this royal project, it later transformed into a public space open to everyone.
This place began as a royal retreat and remains a spot where locals pause for lunch or rest during their day. The wide paths and shaded areas were designed to invite people to slow down and find relief from the city.
The garden lies just two minutes from Syntagma Square with free admission and opens from sunrise to sunset daily. The broad paths are easy to walk and offer plenty of shade from trees on hot days.
Peacocks, goats, and chickens roam freely throughout the park, moving between ancient ruins and archaeological finds uncovered during excavations. These animal inhabitants share the space with remnants of antiquity in an unusual mix.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
