National Garden & Zappeion
Εθνικός Κήπος
A 16-hectare city garden beside Syntagma Square, with shade, ponds and a small zoo. On its south side stands the neoclassical Zappeion Palace.
The National Garden was originally the royal garden of Queen Amalia (wife of King Otto) in the 19th century. It opened to the public in 1927. The garden contains plants from around the world, duck ponds, a small zoo and remains of ancient Roman mosaics. The Zappeion Palace on the south side, built in 1888, was once used as an Olympic venue, and its forecourt garden is good for a stroll. Admission is free. The garden lies between Syntagma Square and the Parliament building. The Zappeion can be linked with the changing of the guard, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium along one route.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset
Nearby sights
- Benaki Museum
- Syntagma Square & Changing of the Guard
- Museum of Cycladic Art
- Panathenaic Stadium
- Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch
- Plaka
- Anafiotika
- Acropolis Museum