The 7 best gardens in Athens for a perfect escape

While Athens is known for its culturally rich history, it’s also a place to find serenity in thriving green spaces that combine history and natural beauty. The National Garden is among the best gardens in Athens for appreciating the manicured landscaping of English-style gardens.

An optimal garden tour for those interested in learning about medicinal plants and species from biblical and mythological times involves the Diomedes Botanical Garden. In addition to admiring bright poppies and pale pink Bengal roses, you can enjoy family-friendly activities in Athens at Stavros Niarchos Park. Read to learn more about the most tranquil and alluring gardens in Athens.

1. National Garden

A respite from the city

The National Garden is one of the most famous gardens in Athens. It transports you from the bustling Syntagma Square into a lush sanctuary with winding pathways, serene fountains, and narrow flower beds that inject vibrant color into the surrounding greenery.

The 15-hectare (38-acre) English-style garden, also known as the Royal Garden, was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1839. View the local fauna from a bridge above the pond or seek shade under a pergola while admiring the garden’s immense biodiversity.

Address

Athens National Garden, Leof. Vasilisis Amalias 1, Athina 105 57

Opening hours

Open daily 6:30 AM–5:30 PM

2. Zappeion Garden

Best for families seeking history and relaxation

Zappeion Garden is one of the most notable Athenian gardens, having over a hundred years of history. Located within the Zappeion, the garden dates back to 1857. In 1896, it even hosted the 1896 Olympic Games at the adjacent Zappeion Hall.

Today, visitors to Zappeion Garden admire its French geometric and English design with picturesque fountains, atriums, and manicured hedges. The 41,000 square meters of the paved path take you past olive trees and flourishing flower beds.

Address

Zappeion Garden, Leof. Vasilissis Olgas 1, Athina 105 57

Opening hours

Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM–7:00 PM

Saturday-Sunday, 7:00 AM-9:00 PM

3. Stavros Niarchos Park

A modern garden with plenty of amenities

Stavros Niarchos Park in Kalliteha is one of the most impressive gardens in Athens, with a 21-hectare green space housed within the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Visitors can stroll between long paved paths lined with verdant cypress and carob trees.

The landscape is in bloom all year round with seasonal plantings like poppies on the roof garden in April and the pink-petaled Bengal Roses that come out in November. Heavenly scents waft through the space from plants like lavender, rosemary, and oregano.

Address

Stavros Niarchos Park, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea 176 74

Opening hours

Open daily, 6:00 AM—12:00 AM

4. National Archaeological Museum of Athens Garden

An intimate garden for mythology lovers

Outside the café at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens in Exarcheia is the best garden in Athens for interacting with nature through mythology. Filled with over 700 types of plants, many of which are tied to ancient Greece, the museum’s garden is a magical space for families and plant enthusiasts. The café also offers a unique opportunity to sample Athenian food at one of the outdoor tables while enjoying the garden’s tranquil atmosphere.

Address

National Archaeological Museum of Athens Garden, 28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82

Opening hours

Wednesday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM

Tuesday, 1:00 PM-8:00 PM

Hours vary seasonally, always check before visiting

5. Monastery of Kaisariani

Best garden for sacred contemplation

When it comes to seeking spiritual serenity, the Monastery of Kaisariani is among the gardens of Athens that come to mind. It’s a hidden gem in Athens with rich history and lore. A site of holy worship since ancient times, the Monastery of Kaisariani was a temple to Aphrodite before a Christian church was built there in the fifth century.

The current monastery was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in the 11th century. Today, thick cypress trees give the monastery grounds shade. Colors peek out here and there in planted rose bushes and native species.

Address

Monastery of Kaisariani, Kaisariani 161 22

Opening hours

Wednesday-Monday, 8:30 AM—3:00 PM

Closed Tuesdays

6. Byzantine and Christian Museum Garden

Best garden for history lovers

One of the gardens in Athens that will delight the senses with splashing fountains, fragrant herbs, bold-colored flowers, and ripened fruit trees is the Byzantine and Christian Museum Garden in Kolonaki.

Address

Byzantine and Christian Museum Garden, Leof. Vasilissis Sofias 20, Athina 106 75

Opening hours

Daily, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

7. Diomedes Botanical Garden

Best garden for biodiversity

The Diomedes Botanical Garden is one of the best gardens in Athens for those interested in the intersection between botany and history. At 1,860 acres, it’s also the largest botanical garden in Greece. Nestled in the northeastern slope of Mount Egaleo, the Diomedes Botanical Garden also serves as an educational center with more than 4,000 species. There’s a section for historical plants from biblical and mythological times, like the lily associated with the Virgin Mary and the myrtle dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite.

Address

Diomedes Botanical Garden, Iera Odos 403, Chaidari 124 61

Opening hours

Open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM