When one thinks of Athens, the concepts of democracy, Acropolis, and lovely food might be the first ones to come to mind. You do not think of endless acres of trees and small ponds.
This will soon change.
Ever since 2001, when the new Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” started its operation, the big debate has begun. The discussion was about what to do with the area, where the Athens airport was at for the past 60 years. What to do with the (ex) Hellinikon International Airport.
The Hellinikon International Airport
I grew up in Glyfada a southern suburb of Athens which is located right next to the Hellinikon International Airport.
The way the airplanes passed over our heads every about 20 seconds was …unique to say the least. When we were in Glyfada square, back in the 90s, we had to interrupt what we were saying again and again, as the noise was tremendous.
They do not make airports within the cities anymore.
And, to be fair, they did not build that airport within the city of Athens either.
Back in 1938, when the construction of that airport began, Athens, the capital of Greece, had approximately 481,000 inhabitants. Currently, the estimated Athens population is 3.15 million people! When a city has grown by seven times, well, it will reach and embrace the airport.
In 2001, Athens entered the 21st century and was getting ready for the 2004 Olympic Games. This is when we all celebrated the opening of the new state-of-the-art Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos.
The Athenians loved it and would soon give it the nickname “El-Vel”.
It seemed as if they left Elliniko and never looked back.
And for a long time, no one did.
The discussions
The enormous empty space that used to be the Ellinikon International Airport was only used for a couple of exhibitions per year. Otherwise, we drove by it almost daily and hoped that someday something would become of it.
At some point, the discussions began with a variety, imagination, and absurdity that would make Aristophanis, the famous ancient Greek satirical writer, envious.
We heard it all. Greek bureaucracy at its best demanded extensive and extremely time-consuming reports and licenses from numerous public services.
The archaeology department interfered, but then again, this is Greece, so the archaeology service is asked about everything.
When delays and complications came from the …Forest Services, the city developed endless jokes about the Ellinikon forest ( we are still referring to an old airport!) along with the Ellinikon wild bears!!!
We managed to spend almost twenty years with zero progress.
So now that it seems we will be extra compensated, we feel we deserve it. Our patience seems to be worth it all. For both the citizens and you, our guests!
The Ellinikon will be one of the biggest Parks in the world.
The Ellinikon Experience Park today
A relatively small part of the Park is already ready and available to all, locals and visitors.
We are referring to 70 acres of a beautiful Park that is not, by Athenian standards, small.
There is the Zen Garden, where one can enjoy the calmness of a beautiful garden. A truly Zen atmosphere!
For adventurous fun, there is the Water Maze where you watch the aquatic show or you can just get in! Do not worry, you will not get wet. But you will enjoy it a lot!
There is the Outdoor Fitness area for your workouts and the Forest area (yes now there is one) for you and your family to explore.
In the Plaza areas, there is a big variety of kiosks with tasty food options.
See the following map.
In the area, there are numerous events that are taking place now.
- “Events and activities about Sustainability, Renewability, and Life” in collaboration with NCSR Demokritos. The activities take place in the specially designed area of “Cell of Life” in Plaza A. More info here.
- “Photography Exhibition by Alexandros Tsoutis” in Plaza A area. More info here.
These are two examples. But you need to just see for yourself here about what is going on right now.
Practical Information
How to go now: Via Metro from Syntagma Square you take the red line up until the Elliniko Station. A taxi will take you to the entrance with the minimum charge of 4 euros. If you use your own rented car there is parking right at the entrance of the venue.
Entrance Fee: The entrance to the Experience Park and the participation in the events are free of charge.
Accessibility for people with disabilities:
The Park can be accessed by visitors with disabilities such as mobility difficulties or other disabilities.
Operating Hours:
- The Experience Park: open all year round Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00.
- The Forest Playground: open Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00.
- Parking: open all year round Monday – Sunday: 10:00 – 23:00.
Pets:
Pets are allowed as long as they are under the owner’s supervision and the owner makes sure everything is cleaned after them.
The future Elliniko Experience
When completed, the Ellinikon will be making full use of the 6,200,000 sqm, or 1.542 acres, that used to host the former Athens international airport.
The area in question is between Mount Hymettus and the beaches of northern Athens, what we call the Athenian Riviera. This coastal park is at the same time very close to the Athens center.
The location and size of this Park are without precedent not only for Greece. It is characterized as the largest coastal park in Europe.
More than 3.5 km of the coastal line will provide a beautiful connection between the city and the sea. Residents and guests will enjoy the new beach, the marina, and the shops. Cultural and athletic events, business venues, recreational opportunities, shopping malls, hotels, casinos, thousands of trees, and small ponds, all will be available and open for the public to enjoy.
This will be a new way of life for Athens and the city’s guests!
The term “green oasis” is overused. This will not be an oasis. This will be a drastic change for the country’s capital. An improvement like no other before.
Athens, with this new large coastal park, will be famous for its Ellinikon Park too.