Stavros Niarchos Park

If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Athens, then look no further than Stavros Niarchos Park. The park is located on the site of the former Athens airport, and at over 120 acres, it’s one of the largest parks in Europe. This urban oasis is perfect for a leisurely stroll, picnicking with friends, or simply soaking up the Mediterranean sun.

There’s plenty to do at Stavros Niarchos Park. With sweeping cityscape views, it’s easy to see why this is one of Athens’ most popular parks. In addition to walking and picnicking, there’s a playground, an amphitheatre, and a library. The park is also home to the new National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, making it a cultural hub as well as a green space.

Stavros Niarchos Park is a haven for those who love plants. It has an area of 21 hectares and includes 16 different tree species as well 161 shrubs that blossom at various times throughout the year, along with olive trees, evergreen bushes like carobs (which produce valuable oil), laurels or cypresses – all planted to provide variety in colour schemes alongside other indigenous aromatic herbs such as Greek Thyme.

Greece’s rich tradition of horticultural design is celebrated in the open, sunlit Mediterranean Garden. Each month brings a new colour, and each season introduces exciting combinations of flowers and leaves to enjoy.

The plant palette alone makes a visit to Stavros Niarchos Park worth it. Evergreen plants such as boxwood and other favourites like coronilla (Everlasting Vine) and cistus( burnished metal) lend depth; scenting fragrant skies over shrinking violets adds fabulousness levels climbing up toward limbo-like heights where lavender blooms among rosemary sprigs before settling down again.

The Great Lawn is the heart of Stavros Niarchos Park; it covers an area of 114 metres by 45 metres. Situated at the centre of the park, this is where all paths meet and cross in an extensive range of events such as screenings or concerts during summer months.

The Great Lawn grass is natural and, compared to other varieties, is drought-tolerant and hardy. Suitable for the Greek climate, it is low-maintenance and requires less irrigation. Olive trees thrive within these climate conditions, making them invaluable spaces providing shade from the sun and serving up fruit just waiting on your table whenever you want one.

Stavros Niarchos Park is home to some of the most beautiful playgrounds in Athens. The playgrounds and water jets at this urban oasis are open for playtime adventures for children of all ages. Designed by sustainable designers, these environmentally friendly facilities feature wood-based equipment from logging practices done ethically without sacrificing quality or safety standards while also catering towards different age groups with designated areas where children can explore safely.

• Take a picnic, sit down, and enjoy
• Have a bite to eat at Pharos Cafe
• Take your kids to the playground
• Wander around the various paths and walkways, enjoying the sights, the sounds and the fragrances of the plants and trees
• Sit under the olive trees on the Great Lawn

• Capture your children enjoying themselves
• The fountains are a good place for photos and videos, including slow-motion.
• The views around Athens

Stavros Niarchos Park
Monday to Thursday 6am to midnight
Friday to Sunday 6am to 2am

Park Kiosk
Monday to Sunday 7am to 10pm

Pharos Cafe
Monday to Sunday pam to 1am

Closed
January 1st, January 6th, Clean Monday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, March 25th, August 15th, October 28th (limited hours), December 25th

There is a large hill in the Park, with its peak reaching 32m from the ground level. It is accessible to everyone through the paths leading to the top and the planted rooftops.

Paved with stabilized ceramic layers and an incline of less than 3,5%, the pathways are easily accessible to all visitors, including parents with strollers and people with mobility limitations.

Guiding paths exist at all pathways leading to the buildings and park.

Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.

A map of the parks in braille is now available at the Visitor Center.