National Garden

What it is

The National Garden is the great park of central Athens: 15.5 hectares of trees, shade and earth paths right behind Parliament, between Syntagma Square and the Pangrati district. Queen Amalia had it made in 1838, and it was designed by the German agronomist Friedrich Schmidt, who brought more than 500 plant species; many did not withstand the dry climate. Until 1974 it was called the Royal Garden.

Today it is where Athenians go to stroll in summer, when the rest of the centre is burning. Under the trees you notice the cool and the noise of traffic almost disappears.

What is inside

• The pond, with ducks, which is the first thing children look for.
• Playground and children's library, inside the garden.
• The Botanical Museum, a small room on the history and plants of the garden.
• Ancient remains, mostly Roman, that peep out among the flower beds, and busts of Greek figures and philhellenes, such as Byron, Kapodistrias and the poet Dionysios Solomos.
• A sundial and a small café for a rest.

To the south, the garden links up with the gardens of the Zappeion, the neoclassical exhibition hall, and from there you can see the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium a few minutes away.

Opening hours and price

It opens from sunrise to sunset, every day, and admission is free. The gates close at dusk: don't count on crossing it at night.

How to get there and where to enter

The main entrance is on Amalias Avenue, around the corner from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, two minutes from Syntagma metro station, on lines 2 and 3. There are three other gates: one in the middle of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, another on Irodou Attikou Street, next to the presidential palace, and the one that connects with the Zappeion park. There is no parking of its own: come on foot or by metro.

How long and how to fit it in

An hour is enough to cross it, see the pond and let the children play. It fits well after the changing of the guard, which takes place right next door, every hour on the hour: you enter by Amalias, rest in the shade and leave by the Zappeion towards the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It is also the midday break between the Acropolis in the morning and an afternoon of museums.

With children, pushchair and dog

With small children it is the easiest rest in the centre: shade, swings, ducks and room to run without cars. The paths are flat, packed earth, so a pushchair goes through without problems. Bring some water and a snack; the café is small.

With a dog, keep it on a lead, especially near the pond.

If you are staying nearby, the Electra Metropolis Athens is a few steps from Syntagma, and the Plaka Hotel, ten minutes' walk away.