9 of the Top Parks and Gardens in Athens

Located in the city center next to Syntagma Square, the National Gardens of Athens encompass some of the most popular green spaces in Athens and a welcome retreat for anyone looking to escape the urban hustle. The lush, 38-acre (15-hectare) space is a haven of shaded paths, tranquil ponds, and beautiful—not to mention diverse, from palms and pines to cacti—greenery. Originally designed as the gardens of the Royal Palace in the 19th century, the park is now open to the public and home to a small zoo, as well as some resident tortoises who roam the park freely.

Undoubtedly among the must-visit parks in Athens, Stavros Niarchos Park is a stunning feat of modern urban design that is well worth a slight detour from the center of town. Located in the Kallithea area, this park—which surrounds the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center which houses the Greek National Opera and the National Library—features vast green lawns, waterways, and landscaped gardens. Visitors can explore the sprawling grounds, enjoy a picnic by the lake, or even head up to the culture hub’s lighthouse observatory for magnificent views across to the Acropolis and the port of Piraeus.

If you’re looking for a relaxing wander with a refreshing sea breeze, Flisvos Park is the perfect getaway. Situated in the coastal neighborhood of Palaio Faliro, it may not be one of the most famous gardens in Athens among tourists, but its popularity with Athenians—and particularly with families—should tell you something. Home to playgrounds, water features, and sculptures year-round, Flisvos Park even has an open-air cinema and puppet theater come the summer. Round off an afternoon here by exploring the Flisvos Marina next door, deciding which yacht you’ll buy when (not if) you win the lottery, before grabbing a bite at one of the waterfront cafés.

Just a short walk southwest of the Acropolis, Philopappos Hill is not just among the most beautiful parks in Athens: It also offers some of the best views of the city, across to the Parthenon and Odeon of Herodes Atticus amphitheater, or to the azure Aegean. Shaded by pine and olive trees, the hill’s many paths are ideal for a stroll—particularly in spring, when the hillside is blanketed in wildflowers. No matter the season, however, you can expect a major dose of history: Here you’ll find Socrates’s prison, carved into the rocky slopes; the fresco-adorned Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris; and the monument to Roman consul Julius Antiochus Filopappos, after whom the hill is named.

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Few places epitomize the vibrant Exarcheia neighborhood like Navarinou Park. True to the district’s fame as a bohemian epicenter of left-wing social ideals (and a protest or two), this unassuming but welcoming local favorite sprung to life in 2009 when community members decided to reclaim an abandoned lot and turn it into a park. Surrounded by Exarcheia’s hipster cafés and street art, the park is home to a playground, a basketball court and an urban garden where residents grow food. A welcome contrast to the more historic (and tourist-filled) Athens gardens, Navarinou Park feels like a truly local experience.

Thanks not least to its prime position next to the National Garden and just a short walk from Syntagma Square, Zappeion Garden is one of the most iconic Athens gardens. This elegantly manicured park features rows of towering trees, fountains where you can find your zen, and well-maintained flower beds. Its crowning glory, though, is the stately Zappeion Hall, a massive hall which was built for the first modern Olympic Games, but now hosts concerts and events. You can admire its neoclassical-style architecture, which pays homage to the Greek capitol's ancient roots, from the garden.

To explore one of Athens’ most desirable neighborhoods, hop on the metro to leafy Kifissia. Along with abundant cafés and chic boutiques, here you’ll find Alsos Kifisias, a park with something of a Parisian feel that is best known for its flower show each spring. It’s also directly opposite the metro station, meaning that visiting from the center of town couldn’t be easier. A mere stroll away, just into the suburb of Marousi, is the historic Syggrou Estate: a paradise for sports enthusiasts with tracks for cycling, running and rollerblading, and home to the sole remaining old-growth forest in the greater Athens area.

Related: 7 Must-See Athens Neighborhoods and How To Visit

While more tranquil than the city’s more tourist-heavy spots, Pedion Areos Park is certainly not short of activities and things to see. History buffs may be drawn by its monument to the soldiers of World War II, while families and the sportier among us can head to the park’s playgrounds and tennis courts to blow off steam.

Did you know?: This urban oasis also has creative credentials, having hosted numerous al fresco art exhibitions—yet another reason it deserves a place on any guide to the top parks in Athens.

Combine a park stroll with sweeping views by taking on the trails at Mt. Lycabettus and Strefi Hill. The climb through wooded trails to the top of these peaks, which rise above the Athens skyline, can be a bit of a workout, but the reward is more than worth it—an unobstructed view of Athens. Mt. Lycabettus is the most well known of the two, with its viewing platform a popular stop on many visitors’ Athens itinerary, while Strefi Hill offers a a slightly off-the-beaten-path (yet still easily accessible) vantage point amid the bohemian enclave of Exarcheia.