By Sreesha Ghosh
In an increasingly industrial era, Athens is not what one would call synonymous to nature. On worn out roads, scorched by car fumes and petrol bombs, it often feels like all that’s left of Athenian nature is a citrus tree here and there, evening primroses, some battered pine trees and a few poplars. But the truth is—not all is lost. While it might be true that Athens has fewer sweeping natural gardens than ever, it would be incorrect to suggest that there is no greenery at all. Instead, we have observed a kind of evolution in the presence of this greenery—in the place of traditional forms of nature, we’ve seen a rising number of restaurant, cafe and museum gardens, as idyllic as any natural grove could possibly be. Let’s take a trip down the different museum and restaurant gardens in Athens, refreshing our memories with some of the classics and discovering the beauty of other hidden gems.
Café & Restaurant B&E Goulandris
Foundation An urban garden hides between the ground floor and the first floor of the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation. The atrium of the B&E Goulandris Café-Restaurant is an oasis of greenery in the heart of the city where you can enjoy creative Mediterranean cuisine with a twist.
13, Eratosthenous Str., Athens
Café at the Kerameikos Building Complex (Museum of Islamic Art)
The fresco in this colourful and lively atrium is handcrafted by Navine G. Khan-Dossos, an artist who drew inspiration from Athens’s palm trees. A feelgood environment, perfect for a quick coffee break.
Mon-Wed-Sun 10.30- 17.30, Thu-Sat 12.00-20.00,
Tue: Closed. Thissio, 22 Ag. Asomaton & Dipilou Str., Monastiraki, +302103251311, benaki.gr
Numismatic Museum of Athens
The Numismatic Museum houses one of the greatest collections of coins, ancient and modern, in the world. The museum itself is housed in the neoclassical mansion of archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (known for his excavations in the ancient cities of Troy and Mycenae, later acquired by the Greek State and used to house the Greek Supreme Court and later on the Numismatic Museum), and the garden is located in its gorgeous courtyard, just a couple steps from Syntagma Square and the House of Parliament. A true oasis of serenity, removed from the busy city centre of the Greek capital, the garden is in full bloom —of both flora and ancient Greek statues. On a sunny day, consider grabbing a drink at the cafe in the garden— if you do go, you should absolutely stay until later in the evening for the stunning views to come. Also, consider keeping an eye on their events calendar as the Numismatic Museum organizes jazz concerts at the garden from time to time! Syntagma,12 Eleftheriou Venizelou, +302103632057
For the most updated information, please visit: www.nma.gr or www.facebook.com/NumismaticMuseum.Athens
Benaki Museum Café
A meeting point for the cultural crowds, one of the most popular museum cafés of Athens. Promises of unforgettable romantic afternoons with a view of the Acropolis. Wed & Fri 21:00-17:00, Thu & Sat 09:00-24:00, Sun 09:00-15:00. Closed on Mon-Tue.
Evangelismos, 1 Vasilissis Sofias & Koumpari Str., Kolonaki, +302103671000
Byzantine and Christian Museum Café
The Byzantine and Christian Museum resides in the Doukissis Plakentias villa—its Duchess is long gone but her home and her gardens still stand in grandeur. The gardens of the Byzantine Museum are small escapes from reality, littered across seating areas under fruits trees or near aromatic herbs and fountains. Tour the three archeological exhibitions in the gardens and take a journey across ancient Athenian history and art—from the Well-Cistern that depicts how Athens was supplied with water from ancient times to the present, to Paradise, which talks about Byzantine concepts of the afterlife, and the River Ilissos that paints a picture on the development of the fluvial landscape on the banks of the Ilissos from antiquity to modern times. See the birds chirp, the flowers bloom, the trees sprout, the kids run and so much more in the Byzantine Gardens. If you’re looking for a cool afternoon drink, you can also drop by the cafe-bistro Illisia.
Evangelismos, 22 Vasilissis Sofias Av., Kolonaki, +302132139517
For the most updated information, please visit: www.byzantinemuseum.gr/en/gardens/
Café of the National Archaeological Museum
Located inside the Atrium, the café houses 700 plants referred to in Greek Mythology, so it offers a great combination of an Ancient Greece flavour with some exhibits of botanical interest. Mon: 13:00-20:00. Tue-Sun. 08:00-20:00.
Victoria, 44 Patission Str., +302132144891
Cycladic Café
A modern secret garden right in the heart of Athens ideal for a break with a touch of Mediterranean cuisine. Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat 10:00-17:00, Thu 10:00-20:00, Sun 11:00-17:00 Free WiFi.
Evangelismos, 4 Neofytou Douka Str., Kolonaki, +302107228321-3
Goulandris National History Museum Garden
The Goulandris Natural History Museum is located in the elegant suburb of Kifissia and is home to zoological, botanical, marine, rock, mineral and fossil specimens, aiming to teach all those that come into contact with it about the animal and plant kingdoms and the interaction of ecosystems in Greece and the rest of the world. The museum itself is an enjoyable experience for all—but even more so is the gorgeous garden around it; brimming with over a hundred different varieties of plants, bushes and trees, it’s the perfect place to kick back and let nature envelop you. Accompanying the garden is an equally wonderful cafe, run by Dimitris Skarmoutsos and Dionysis Alertas whose food tastes just as good as the flowers look.
13 Levidou Str., Kifisia, +302108015870
For the most updated information, please visit: www.gnhm.gr/en
National Archaeological Museum Garden
The National Archaeological Museum is a “must-see” destination for any visitor arriving in Athens—but little is it known that its gardens are actually as impressive as the museum itself. A showpiece in their own right, and renovated in 2016 so as to look like an ancient peristyle courtyard, the gardens were transformed into one of the most aesthetically pleasing exhibits in the museum, boasting native Greek species like cretan dittany, for example, that does not grow anywhere else in the world. According to legend, Aphrodite used the same herb to heal her son Aeneas after he was struck by a spear in the Trojan War. The gardens are heavily influenced by Greek mythology—each of the plants in the garden tells a tale, or rather has a story that can be found on specially placed signposts or on bookmarks that visitors can take away as a souvenir.
44 Patission Str., +302132144800
For the most updated information, please visit: www.namuseum.gr
Kapodistriakon, Kostis Palamas Building
Τhe neoclassical Kostis Palamas, erected in 1857, serves and operates primarily as a cultural centre, hosting cultural events, conjectural exhibitions, lectures addressed to small audiences, round tables, book presentations, symposiums and more. Kapodistriakon is a restaurant in the building, popular amongst Athens University students, for anything from a romantic date to a business meeting—and when you’re surrounded by the exquisite marble table and flowers beds all around, you feel like you’re a million miles away from the bustling city centre.
48 Akadimias Str., Athina, +302103688711
For the most updated information, visit: en.uoa.gr
