This formal royal garden was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838, and is home to more than 500 species of plants and animals and a vast park dotted with the busts of historic Greek poets, gods, and political figures.
Set in the heart of Athens near the Greek Parliament, the National Gardens are a popular stop on many Athens city tours on foot or by bike, e-bike, Trikke, or Segway. The kid-friendly space with a playground and duck ponds is a paradise for younger travelers, and family-focused Athens tours also often make a visit here. Close proximity to the Olympic stadium makes it a destination for workout experiences and running tours, and many Athens food tours also include a stroll through the park.
The National Gardens of Athens (Ethnikos Kipos) is located in the center of Athens. The main entrance is on Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias near the Greek Parliament and the Syntagma stop on metro lines 2 and 3. You can also enter from Irodou Attikou to the east or the adjacent Zappeion on the south side of the park.
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, though is most crowded on weekends and holidays. Visit during midday for a welcome shady respite from Athens heat, or in the late afternoon when the temperatures are milder to enjoy a walk along the park paths.
For decades, the tiny collection of animals in the National Gardens was the only zoo in Athens, but today the modern, 49-acre Attica Zoological Park in the suburb of Spata is Athens’ premier zoo. Home to one of the largest collections of birds in the world and more than 400 species of animals, this is a popular destination for families and animal lovers from Athens and across the world.
