Parks of Athens

This is a very beloved and highly visited park in Athens! It is perfectly located in the center of the city and is full of gorgeous vegetation, water features, and shady spots to take a break. While this place is certainly worth your time, be sure to give yourself ample time when you visit. The winding footpaths can easily make you lose you sense of direction. I, myself, have gotten turned around while strolling this park multiple times!

I consider this place a must when visiting Athens! For it's stunning view of the Acropolis as well as the central role it has played in Greek history. The hill itself is full of historical significance, with the Prison of Socrates, the Philopappos Monument, and about a dozen pockets a ancient ruins marked all over the grounds. Additionally, this hill is alive with current cultural significance, being the home of the Holy Church of Saint Demetrios Loumbardiaris, the most popular spot for kite flying every year on Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Clean Monday), and my personal favorite spot to watch the Easter fireworks!

This park is perfect if you're wanting to get out of the city-center without traveling too far. The park is quite large with two playgrounds, two small Greek Orthodox churches, a cafe, bathrooms, open spaces and paved walkways for bikes, roller-skates, etc., open grassy areas to spread out a blanket or let your dog run, multiple water faucets, and plenty of benches! There is also a lovely walkway lined with marble busts of Greek historic figures if you'd like to learn a bit of contemporary history while you're there!

This is an excellent family park with well maintained grounds, paved walkways, and a welcoming local feel. The park includes a children's playground, an enclosed dog park, a cafe, restrooms, and features a beautiful yet sobering WWII memorial.

This beautiful little botanical garden is actually park of a much lager park. The whole area is shady and quite, with meandering paved footpaths. There is a children's playground where your kids can make some local friends, and if you're in the mood for a hike, the top of the hill features a wonderful view of the city and a great spot to watch the sunset!

If you want to get out of the city and spend some time with the locals, this is your place! This park has EVERYTHING! Great playgrounds, an enclosed dog park, boules pitches, a skate park, expansive grassy areas, a cafe, restrooms, water faucets, paved walking paths, and hiking trails that ascend to excellent views of the city! There is also a sports complex and swimming pool located on the grounds, but they have their own entrances. You could certainly spend the whole day here and then head up the hill for the sunset!

This place is so unique and an excellent non-touristy option to add to your itinerary! The park itself has so many cool features and the SNF is always changing up the attractions offered to those visiting the grounds. The outdoor space consists of all native plant species, giving it an authentic look, different from other parks in Athens. The cultural center included on the grounds offers a variety of activities and houses the National Library and National Opera House. After you've had a nice walk, you can pop in to the cafe for a drink and enjoy it beside the canal or walk up the green roof for views of the city and the port!

This park is perfect if you're looking to be in nature but still want paved walkways. There is so much space to roam here, and the park is near is near many cafes and restaurants where you could grab some food for a picnic. The grounds also include an enclosed dog park, an outdoor gym, and plenty of water faucets, but the crowning jewel is the picturesque pond and windmill at the center!

If you're searching for a park specifically for your kids, this is definitely where you need to be heading! This park is the newest on the list and is still being continuously added to, but it is already a great place to spend the afternoon! Parking and entry are free. There are bathrooms, drinking fountains, and cafe's available. The children's playground is an artful masterpiece, and the splash pad is perfect for the hot Greek sun! There are also walking paths, picnic spots, paved areas for skating or biking, and outdoor gym equipment. Be sure to stay for the sunset, then enjoy park lights after dark!

If you want peace and quite and a place for your dog (or child) to splash around with the ducks, here you go! This park is perfect if you're looking to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and just enjoy the slow life in Athens along with the locals!

Ok, I know that this one is pretty far out, but there is a metro stop very conveniently located near by, and it is by far my favorite Athens escape that doesn't require a car! The park is expansive, quite, and clean. There are open grassy areas to spread out a blanket and let your kids or dogs run, and there a densely forested areas that block out the view and sounds of the city. You can enjoy an entire day out there walking, daydreaming in the grass, or lounging in a hammock. When you're fully refreshed, you can grab something to eat in Maroussi and then hop on the metro back to Athens!