Dimitris from Athens

About Me Hi! I'm Dimitris Hall. I've been an Athens Spotter since 2013 and have worked with Spotted by Locals as the site's editor, social media and content manager since early 2017. I was born a few months before the fall of the Berlin Wall and grew up in Nea Smyrni (New Izmir), a suburb of Athens that a century ago didn't even exist as a concept. I’m a μισός-μισός, a “half-and...
Sep 9, 2025

Parko Eleftherias Athens

Picnic time in the oasis

""Parko Eleftherias" in Athens is one of the few well-kept, moderately large parks in the city. I recommend it for picnics and just relaxing on the grass..."

Parko Eleftherias (Greek: Freedom Park) is one of the few well-kept, moderately large parks in Athens. For some very strange reason, I only very recently visited it for the first time and was completely astonished. I went there with a friend of mine and we had the best of times just talking and lying in the grass. Lying in the grass, mind you, is not an activity typically associated with Athenian life. We don't really do it. Still, we weren't the only ones enjoying the shade on that warm Spring day but, unsurprisingly, a good part of our company was foreigners having a picnic. I thought theirs was a truly great idea: I wished I had brought with me something to nibble on too.

This park is not big compared to others around the world (elsewhere, it would only count as a 'green') but by the city's relatively poor standards when it comes to green spaces & recreational/relaxation areas, it's very respectable and even has a proper architectural plan.

Don't let Venizelos' statue at the front daunt you as it did me for so long; take a walk, and let yourself relax in this oasis. You really have no excuse when the park is literally next to Megaro Moussikis (Concert Hall) metro station and the Concert Hall itself. Who knows, maybe you'll stumble upon some of the musical events that take place in the park in summer, too!

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Relaxing

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