The National Garden is a roughly 15.5-hectare (about 156,000 m²) green oasis right behind the Greek Parliament in central Athens. Laid out as the Royal Garden by Queen Amalia in the late 1830s, it was renamed the National Garden and opened to the public in the 1920s. Its shaded paths wind past ponds, ancient ruins, a small zoo and a Botanical Museum among more than 500 plant species and over 7,000 trees. In 2026 it remains free and open year-round, prized as a cool, leafy refuge in the middle of a hot city — an ideal pause between the Acropolis and Syntagma.
The palm-lined avenue at the Amalias Avenue main gate, said to have been planted by Queen Amalia herself in 1842
The central duck pond with turtles and goldfish, shaded pergolas and quiet benches under old-growth trees
Roman-era archaeological remains scattered through the grounds, including a mosaic villa floor and Corinthian columns
The Botanical Museum, children's library and playground, plus a small zoo with goats, peacocks, poultry and waterfowl
The neoclassical Zappeion Hall and its forecourt on the garden's southern edge — venue of the 1896 first modern Olympics and the 1979 signing of Greece's EU accession
Good to know
SafetyThe garden itself is calm, but the nearest hub — Syntagma metro and square — is a known pickpocket spot. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you on crowded trains and in the square.
CautionAround Syntagma watch for friendship-bracelet or 'free rose' approaches, clipboard petitions, and overpriced airport/city taxis. Politely decline unsolicited 'gifts' and agree on the meter or a fixed fare before you get in.
SeasonJuly and August in Athens are very hot. The tree cover makes the garden a good place to escape the heat, but bring water, a hat and sun protection, and prefer early morning or late afternoon over midday.
RulesHours run 'sunrise to sunset,' so the garden closes earlier than you might expect in winter — plan to leave before dark. Entry is free, so no ticket is required.
MannersThe Evzones guards at the nearby Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Presidential Mansion perform a solemn ceremony. Don't touch or block the soldiers, and keep a respectful distance when taking photos.
RulesDon't pick plants or feed the animals, and stay on the paths. With seven entrances the layout can be confusing, so note which gate you want to exit from before you wander in.
Practical info
The closest station is Syntagma (metro lines M2 and M3); for the Zappeion and Temple of Olympian Zeus side use Akropoli (M2), and for the Vasilissis Sofias side use Evangelismos (M3). You can enter through any of seven gates, including the main Amalias Avenue gate; admission is free and the garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but check current seasonal opening and closing times before you go.
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