PARKS AND GREEN ZONES

Since the 5th century BC it was evident that few were the parks and the green zones in general, inside the city, which explains the droughts that always tormented Athens.

Of course, there is a big difference between a drought and the inexcusable absence of green belts. What was the reason that caused Athens to be built so cooped up, with adjoined buildings?

Was it its speedy development done in haste because the waves of immigrants needed to be housed? Why is the analogy of square areas of green belts per inhabitant (according to a 1994 survey) 9 for the Eternal City of Rome, 27 for Amsterdam, 50 for Washington, but just 2.55 for Athens?

Setting aside the rhetorical questions and looking on the map, the large green areas could be counted on two hands. The National Garden, Pedion tou Areos and other large green zones are far off what is internationally called “park”. Practically, Athens has no green belt corresponding to its size and we regard as “lungs of the city” the planted with cypress trees cemeteries, for example the First Cemetery of Athens.

The Ministry of Environment Physical Planning and Public Works announced some years ago the plans to unify the green belts, similar to the unification of the archaeological sites. For the time being, residents and visitors must be content with the continuous remodeling of the existing green zones.

Shopping

BYZANTINE MUSEUM SHOP
The museum has for sale at the entrance, a limited selection of publications regarding the history and/or artwork of the... more
PETAEI - PETAEI
A small jewelry store with unusual choices and good taste.... more
ZOLOTAS
Boasting two fine boutiques in Athens and one on the Place Saint-Germain dès Prés in Paris, Zolotas has won the... more
WINE GARAGE
The modern art deco and how their wine is displayed are worth seeing in themselves. The Wine Garage invites its... more
Ι ARETI
Antique shop with preserved traditional Greek furniture and folk objects for the lovers of the \"old\" as well as the... more
ESTIA
Bookstore of the historic publishing house that produces the oldest literary magazine in the country. Besides the big range that... more
OLYMPIA
Family business with original paintings. Oils, watercolors, prints, posters and photographs by renowned artists. Price ranges the gamut from 3... more
ANTIQUA
Established by the Yannoukos family in 1952, Antiqua has a sterling reputation amongst experts and lovers of art. The client... more
TZAKIS GALLERY COMPANY
This high quality art company opened in 1960 and now has three outlets in operation in Athens and Paris. Tzakis... more
BENAKI MUSEUM SHOP III
A beautiful space filled with unique souvenirs from the Benaki Museum – such as ceramics, silver vessels, reliefs and sculptures,... more
LESVOS SHOP
Authentic traditional products from Lesvos and Limnos from pasta and wines to cosmetics made by the hands of Island’s Association... more
EL HABANERO
Tobacco, cigarettes and cigars for all tastes. Point of reference for smokers with an opinion.... more