Just behind the Parliament, the National Garden is an oasis in the very heart of Athens; green round the year, it offers the opportunity for breaks in nature. Recently, the National Garden has also become an outdoor canvas strewn with contemporary artworks. NEON paths, an initiative aiming to make the National Garden a recreation meeting point for most residents and visitors of Athens has organised its first art exhibition featuring 15-20 artworks by Greek and international creators. The exhibition, curated by Ivana Blazwick, Director of London’s Whitechapel Gallery, will be running through June.

It has been two years since the first open of the garden of the Presidential Mansion to the public. Every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, visitors have the opportunity to visit one of the most charming Athenian gardens up close. Cypress, laurel, olive, pomegranate and mulberry trees compose the scene of the Plato’s Academy Park; it offers visitors shady paths, ancient artifacts and special areas reserved for recreation and play. This is where Athenians gather for picnics, cycling, meetings, theatrical performances, yoga and various concerts.

The Environmental Awareness Park Antonis Tritsis spans 1200 sq. km and hosts 177 bird, amphibian and mammal species. Visitors are also encouraged to be engaged in a variety of activities such as cycling, hiking or even horse riding. Furthermore, the park is the home of the Earth Centre, a project by the nonprofit Organisation Earth that aims to promote Environmental Social Intelligence.

See also 2Board: Green Spaces