National Garden
Athens, Greece
National Garden
The National Garden (formerly the Royal Garden) (Greek: Εθνικός Κήπος) is a public park of 15.5 hectares (38 acres) in the center of the Greek capital, Athens. It is located between the districts of Kolonaki and Pangrati, directly behind the Greek Parliament building (The Old Palace) and continues to the South to the area where the Zappeion is located, across from the Panathenaiko or Kalimarmaro Olympic Stadium of the 1896 Olympic Games. The Garden also encloses some ancient ruins, tambourines and Corinthian capitals of columns, mosaics, and other features. On the Southeast side are the busts of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, and of the Philhellene Jean-Gabriel Eynard. On the South side are the busts of the celebrated Greek poets Dionysios Solomos, author of the Greek National Hymn, and Aristotelis Valaoritis.
The Royal Garden was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 and completed by 1840. It was designed by the German agronomist Friedrich Schmidt who imported over 500 species of plants and a variety of animals including peacocks, ducks, and turtles. Unfortunately for many of the plants, the dry Mediterranean climate proved too harsh and they did not survive. Other botanists planning and managing the garden include Karl Nikolas Fraas, Theodor von Heldreich and Spyridon Miliarakis.
Accommodations near National Garden
Amalia Hotel
see price.
Nearby Tours & Activities
Opening times
| Monday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
Guests' reviews
Very nice gardens in the middle of Athens. They are large and well maintained. Other major cities have nice parks as well, but this is a great garden/park to get away from the hustle of Athens. The turtles were a nice surprise for the kids. And the wonderful group of young ladies, walking through the park, singing Xmas songs was a really nice surprise. Overall, a good place for a run/walk and to enjoy the outdoors
An island of nature inside the city. Great for kids. There are at least 2 cafes , a few lakes and parts with animals. A lot of different tree species. Close to the Presidential palace and Kallimarmaron stadium and the parliament. Overall great
The National Gardens are something of an oasis in the concrete sprawl of Athens, offering shade and quiet in a city that mostly has little of either. But shade is the thing; there isn’t a great deal of floral interest or botanical rarity. Whenever we go to Athens we find ourselves spending some time in the gardens, and it is pleasant even in winter to wander along the meandering paths. The southern part is busiest, as there is a playground and the Zappeon which hosts exhibitions. The northern part is quieter, and has a few soothing water features. There’s also a quiet cafe in the north eastern corner, popular with the local police, where relatively few tourists go.
Nice place to relax your self. There is also small river to enjoy with not really many swan. But it is good
Do you think that Athens is full of cement and has no parks?? Well this oasis in the heart of Athens will prove you wrong!! Altough it is relatively small this garden has peculiar and rare plants and it is ideal for walking, reading or relaxing. You walk in noise and pollution to see the Greek Parliament with its famous guard and beside you step into tranquility!! A visit is totally worth your time.
