# National Garden

What to do en Athens · Athens

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/national-garden · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Desde: 0 € 
- Duración: 1 h
- Para quién: Small children

15.5 hectares of shade behind Parliament, free and open from dawn to dusk, with a duck pond, a playground and a children's library.

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.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 37.9727, 23.7375

## Cerca de aquí

- [Changing of the guard of the Evzones at Syntagma](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/changing-of-the-guard), a 319 m
- [Electra Palace Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/electra-palace-athens), a 420 m
- [Electra Roof Garden](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-eat/electra-roof-garden), a 420 m
- [Electra Metropolis Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/electra-metropolis-athens), a 503 m
- [Athens Backpackers](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/athens-backpackers), a 851 m
- [Acropolis Museum](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/things-to-do/acropolis-museum), a 909 m
- [Plaka Hotel Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-stay/plaka-hotel), a 950 m
- [Spondi](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens/where-to-eat/spondi), a 983 m

## Consejos

### Enter by Amalias after the changing
The main gate is next to Parliament: the plan links the changing of the guard with the shade.

### Leave by the Zappeion
That way you end up next to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium without retracing your steps.

### Allow for closing time
It closes at sunset: don't leave it until the end of the afternoon.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much does it cost to enter the National Garden?
Nothing. It is free and opens every day from sunrise to sunset.

### Is there a playground?
Yes. It has a playground and a children's library, as well as the duck pond.

### Can you go with a pushchair?
Yes. The paths are flat, packed earth, and there is shade along almost the whole route.

Destino: [Athens](https://www.geocalia.com/en/greece/attica/athens.md)