Mar 29, 2025

Zen Garden Athens

Serene island in a concrete jungle

"In 2022, the garden opened to the public, after being constructed according to a biophilic design, serving as a green, calming 3.500 sq m zone in the center of the city."

You won't believe your eyes easily when you come up to this spot. You cross some of the busiest avenues of the city, where the biggest museums, hospitals, and hotels are located. And suddenly the traffic and the bustling crowds give way to the first (and only) Japanese garden in the city. In 2022, the garden opened to the public, after being constructed according to a biophilic design, serving as a green, calming 3.500 sq m zone in the center of the city.

According to Wikipedia zen gardens were intended to imitate not the actual appearance of nature, but its very essence, and to serve as an aid for meditation. I will read more about the symbolisms of every element in zen gardens before my next visit; for example, rocks may either symbolize mountains or living creatures such as turtles. The Japanese garden boasts plants indigenous to the Mediterranean climate as well as characteristic trees of the Japanese flora. There are carefully designed pathways and benches, along a small pond and a torii. You can cross the garden and let yourself in the Japanese culture after visiting one of the museums and before heading to the heart of Pagkrati.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Νηρηίδων 12

free

Find your way with 262 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

Koumpaki

A cute shop for indie girls & boys!

"Koumpaki" in Athens is the vintage accessory shop for you if your sense of aesthetics is that of Sundance, if you like cats or are a lover of David Bowie.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 20, 2025

Astor

My favorite indie cinema hall!

"Αstor" Athens is my favourite indie cinema hall in town. I would say that if Athens were a cinema, it would be here. Indulge in Greek culture here...

008-ticket
Cinema
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 20, 2025

Diomidous Botanical Garden

Oasis of Athens

"Diomidous Botanical Garden" in Athens, only 30 minutes from the centre of the city, is the largest botanical garden of the eastern Mediterranean...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Apr 18, 2025

MOMO

Get back your stolen time

MOMO is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Athens with an exquisite backyard that will give you back the time that's been stolen from you...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dimitris

Hall

Apr 15, 2025

Lefteris o Politis

Simply delicious souvlaki

A well-cooked pita, a juicy burger, tomato, and onion are a unique and tasty combination. It is the epitome of delicious simplicity.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 12, 2025

Santaroza

Asian film noir

Its trademark is the long, wooden bar that, with a length of 14 meters is perhaps the longest bar in Athens. It's the best place for negronis and whiskeys.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Apr 11, 2025

Matchpoint bar

Calm, cool and collected

Matchpoint's interior is tastefully decorated, and the music is lovely but my favorite is sitting outside enjoying my drink and watching the world go by.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Ode to socks

Greek culture encapsulated

Ode to socks has made good use of the local greek heroes such as the priest (pappa), the priest's wife, the sailor, and the fisherman, who are characteristic figures in every Greek's childhood.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Mandragoras

Every time is like the first time

There are always dishes of the day in addition to the set menu, so no two visits to Mandragoras are ever the same. And kontosouvli is always available.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 7, 2025

Mouries in Kolonos

Authentic Athenian

It does not matter what you order when you visit Mouries because everything is made with the same care (however, my favorite dish here is the meatballs).

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 7, 2025

Hatzigeorgiou

Αdding flavour to life

Every time I cross Evripidou Street, I am overwhelmed by the aroma of cinnamon, pepper, and oregano, and images of Eastern bazaars come to mind.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 4, 2025

To Laini

Where the Cretan heart beats

My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Apr 3, 2025

Heading to Athens?

262 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

262 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Athens

Get to know our other Spotters from Athens

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
41
Filters