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Greece Athens Athina Park

National Garden of Athens

About

The National Garden of Athens, formerly known as the Royal Garden, is a verdant haven in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Greek Parliament and Syntagma Square. Commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 and completed by 1840, it was designed by German agronomist Friedrich Schmidt, who introduced over 500 plant species from around the world. Despite initial challenges with the Mediterranean climate, the garden now boasts approximately 7,000 trees and 40,000 bushes, encompassing 519 plant species, including both native and exotic varieties. Covering 15.5 hectares, the garden features winding paths, shaded benches, duck ponds, and remnants of ancient Roman structures, such as mosaics and columns. Notably, Queen Amalia personally planted the towering palm trees at the main entrance on Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. In 1920, it was renamed the National Garden and opened fully to the public. Today, it serves as a peaceful retreat for both Athenians and visitors, offering a blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

Athens Greece
National Garden of Athens
Location

The National Garden of Athens is a lush green oasis in the heart of the city, located next to the Greek Parliament and across from Syntagma Square. Originally designed in 1838 as the Royal Garden for Queen Amalia, it spans 24 hectares and features over 500 species of plants, trees, and flowers2. Visitors can stroll along shaded pathways, admire ancient ruins, and relax by tranquil ponds filled with ducks and koi carp. The garden also houses a small zoo, a botanical museum, and a children’s library, making it a perfect spot for families2. Nearby, the Zappeion Hall, a neoclassical building used for exhibitions and events, adds to the cultural significance of the area. The Panathenaic Stadium, famous for hosting the first modern Olympic Games, is within walking distance1. The bustling streets of Kolonaki and Pangrati, known for their cafes and boutiques, offer a vibrant contrast to the garden’s serenity.

Acropolis Museum Acropolis Museum Museum National Archaeological Museum National Archaeological Museum Museum Museum of Cycladic Art Museum of Cycladic Art Museum Byzantine and Christian Museum Byzantine and Christian Museum Museum Benaki Museum Benaki Museum Museum Goulandris Museum Goulandris Museum Museum Numismatic Museum Numismatic Museum Museum War Museum Athens War Museum Athens Museum National Art Gallery Athens National Art Gallery Athens Museum Hellenic Motor Museum Athens Hellenic Motor Museum Athens Museum Pedion tou Areos Pedion tou Areos Park Mount Lycabettus Mount Lycabettus Park Strefi Hill Strefi Hill Park Filopappou Hill Filopappou Hill Park Antonis Tritsis Park Antonis Tritsis Park Park Acropolis of Athens Acropolis of Athens Historical landmark Parthenon Parthenon Historical landmark Temple of Hephaestus Temple of Hephaestus Historical landmark Temple of Olympian Zeus Temple of Olympian Zeus Historical landmark Odeon of Herodes Atticus Odeon of Herodes Atticus Tourist attractions Theatre of Dionysus Theatre of Dionysus Historical landmark Tower of the Winds Tower of the Winds Historical landmark Philopappos Monument Philopappos Monument Monument Hadrian's Arch Hadrian's Arch Historical landmark Kerameikos Archaeological Site Kerameikos Archaeological Site Historical landmark Acropolis Fortress Acropolis Fortress Historical landmark Daphni Monastery Daphni Monastery Monastery Hellenic Parliament Athens Hellenic Parliament Athens Historical landmark Varvakios Agora Varvakios Agora Market Zappeion Hall Zappeion Hall Historical landmark Presidential Mansion Presidential Mansion Historical landmark Plaka Plaka Tourist attractions Monastiraki Monastiraki Market Anafiotika Anafiotika Square Syntagma Square Syntagma Square Park Panathenaic Stadium Panathenaic Stadium Historical Landmark Technopolis Technopolis Tourist attractions Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Tourist attractions Athens Riviera Athens Riviera Tourist attractions Epigraphical Museum Epigraphical Museum Museum Athens National Historical Museum Athens National Historical Museum Museum Ancient Agora of Athens Ancient Agora of Athens Museum Roman Agora Museum Roman Agora Museum Museum Frissiras Museum Frissiras Museum Museum Herakleidon Museum Herakleidon Museum Museum Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Museum National Museum of Contemporary Art Αthens National Museum of Contemporary Art Αthens Museum Museum of Greek Folk Art Museum of Greek Folk Art Museum Hellenic Children’s Museum Hellenic Children’s Museum Museum Museum of Popular Instruments Museum of Popular Instruments Museum Philatelic and Postal Museum Philatelic and Postal Museum Museum Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Museum Museum of the City of Athens Museum of the City of Athens Museum Gennadius Library Gennadius Library Library Jewish Museum of Greece Jewish Museum of Greece Museum Museum of Pavlos & Alexandra Kanellopoulos Museum of Pavlos & Alexandra Kanellopoulos Museum Tatoi Palace Tatoi Palace Palace National Theatre of Greece National Theatre of Greece Theatre Rex Theatre Rex Theatre Theatre Onassis Stegi Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre Megaron Athens Concert Hall Megaron Athens Concert Hall Theatre Pallas Theatre Pallas Theatre Theatre Badminton Theatre Badminton Theatre Theatre Peiraios 260 Peiraios 260 Theatre Benaki Museum of Contemporary Art Benaki Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Athens Municipal Gallery Athens Municipal Gallery Museum Eleni Koroneou Gallery Eleni Koroneou Gallery Gallery Rebecca Camhi Gallery Rebecca Camhi Gallery Gallery Bernier/Eliades Gallery Bernier/Eliades Gallery Gallery The Breeder Gallery The Breeder Gallery Gallery Kalfayan Galleries Kalfayan Galleries Gallery DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art Gallery National Observatory of Athens National Observatory of Athens Observatory Penteli Observatory Penteli Observatory Observatory