Playground

Continuing our wandering to the playgrounds & parks of Athens, I will list for you southern suburbs’ playgrounds. These are my favorites, because I adore walking near this clear blue liquid called sea. The view is spectacular, so I prefer better these from others.

Playgrounds & parks at Southern suburbs of Athens

• Nea Smyrni Grove/ Park of Nea Smyrni

PC 17121, Nea Smyrni. 3,9km from Syntagma square and 28min by public transport or 12min by car. My fa-vo-ri-te oasis is green with grassy places for picnic, clean and tidy and it is open from 6:00-23:00. Over there, I am feeling that I am not in noisy Athens. I am closing my eyes and letting the sun warm me up while smelling the green!.!.! Oh!.!.! However, there are times that I am just goofing around with my thoughts for companion.

I grew up and I still go for a walk and to breathe some oxygen from the century old-aged pines inside. It is a very beautiful oxygen lung park, with space for walking, running and cycling. You can see from babies to the elderly playing and exercising or just relaxing.

It has an internal mini market-bar with very helpful staff to drink a refreshment and public restrooms. Furthermore, it has a playground with swings for younger and older children, entrance for the disabled, faucets with tap drinking water, benches for rest, and an outdoor sports area with many instruments. Additionally, it has everything you need for uphill and downhill road training and a high degree of difficulty.

There is lawn for relaxation, stretching, organizing birthday parties or doing yoga and pilates and many trees that offer shade. Also, has a tent that often has music-theatrical events and an open-air cinema. It also hosts a festival at the late days of August and early days of September with many performances. It has an entrance in every corner and some more. If you have young kids then a walk to the small pond will amaze them, since they will discover many turtles. When I was a kid, they were much more turtles and squirrels also. Likewise, they will enjoy having time at the colorful flower exhibition every 1^st of May.

Note: At this park, dogs are not allowed.

Bonus: It is really close to Syntagma square and you can reach it also by feet.

Attention: Few meters away the park there is Saint Fotini’s Metropolitan Church, which has a wonderful belfry and a magnificent wooden temple. The 33meters steeple was erected with the contribution of the Onassis Foundation in 1996. Certainly, it is a faithful copy of the historic bell tower of the Metropolitan Church of Agia Fotini in Smyrna, which was destroyed in 1922. Do remember to pay a visit.

• Pani

Or Troumpari hill at Evonimou/Saint Lavrentiou, PC 17455, Alimos. It gained its name from the ancient anthropomorphic goat-foot god Pan. Pan was protector of the nature, ranchers, hunters, fishermen and shepherds and companion of the Nymphs. It is 8,2km from Syntagma, so about 48min with public transport or 18min with a taxi. It is the home of Thucydides and they found remains from Neolithic, prehistoric and classic era. This park is really suitable for picnic.

Bonus: It has the nicest view of the whole Athenian Riviera. The playground has many swings and contemporary toys, especially for kids over 4years old. Also, it has a separate fenced playground for dogs with many toys. Additionally, there are tennis and football courts.

• Rizareio

This is a disabled’s playground in Faliro right next to Village Cinemas, Jumbo P. Faliro & the regular playgrounds of Holy Protection and Zefiros. Address: Ethnarchou Makariou, 17564, Paleo Faliro. It’s 6,6km away, so 35min by public transport or 10min by car. The playground is handicapped friendly with wooden toys and elastic floor around them. Swings for wheelchairs, fenced basket court for disables, a large bikeway and BOCCE. BOCCE is an official technical and strategic game of SPECIAL OLYMPICS. Just grab your water bottle and your hat and have fun with your kids.

• Flisvos

It is a playground at Floisvou Park, Poseidonos Ave, 17561, Alimos. This is 7,3km from Syntagma, so 32min by public transport or 10min by car. Near the sea with the best view and actually there are few playgrounds inside the park, which have lights until 22:00. Of course, there are coffee places for parents to enjoy at the walking by the sea. Or you could seat to enjoy a meal. There are trampolines, inline skating, rollers, inflatables sliding toys, arcades, small climbing walls, rope constructions, animation and outdoor fitness equipment.

Additionally, there are bikes and children’s cars to rent and do your walk inside the botanical garden. Moreover, there is summer open-air cinema and pool with small balls for the younger children.

Bonus

• It is a Pokemon Go spot. However, be careful to separate the toys which belong to the coffee place and they have a fee, since they offer babysitters to occupy your kids. Those are called ‘Volta Fun Park’. I am sure that the themed castles, towers and boats will amaze your kids. So as not to complain, the dogs have their own fenced park over there. Further, over there, parent can be calm, because the yard is fenced and controlled paved with plastic artificial turf. It has public restrooms for any need that may arise.
• Firstly, the playground that concerns 2-5years old children is separated from the other one that refers to 6-12years old. Secondly, elastic rubber and sand are placed around the toys to make the toys safe.

The space is decorated with many sculptures of local sculptors. With the sea view behind you and the sculpture near you, you will take the best pictures.

Do they have more energy?

Then, I propose to lead them at the opposite site of the road for an educational visit. Over there, you will find Kouloura’s house which hosts the new branch of the Benaki Museum with toys from all over the world.

They still have energy?

OMG. Thereafter, you could go to see Battleship Averoff and Jason’s (& the Argonauts with the golden fleece) wooden ship Argo outside the west entrance of Marina Flisvos.

Afterwards, last but not least, you can have a lunch/dinner/coffee/ice-cream etc. inside the marina. There is also a small playground over there beside the restaurants.

• SNFCC

(Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center). Address: 364th Andrea Sygrou Ave., PC 17674, Kallithea. 6km from Syntagma and 33min with public transport or 10min by car with many facilities for disabled people. There is outdoor gym equipment and outdoor sports area with bikes to rent. You can have a picnic at the grass near the canal or to do canoe kayak inside the 400m canal. Listen the water jets at the fountain and guess in which song’s melody do their dance. If you want to relax, then read a book at the National Library. Or simply wander to the circular shape labyrinth searching for Minotaur along with your kids.

If you are lucky, then you will be able to observe one of the music concerts at the big yard or a recital at the National Opera. or just rest yourselves.

If you are in Athens at your kid’s birthday, you can easily organize a bday party inside the labyrinth. Or somewhere else at the yard.

Travel tip: At the end of Syntagma square and at the beginning of Ermou street departs the free shuttle bus to SNFCC (Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center). 

 

Below, I will list few other playgrounds of southern suburbs.

• Amymoni

At 35th Vouliagmenis Avenue, Elliniko (former US base). 11km. This is a standard playground for children with visual impairments and additional disabilities. Built with special specifications, it is a safe and carefully designed environment. In this playground, children can learn to socialize and develop some basic skills. It has special equipment, strong color contrasts between toys, protective railings with soft materials. Moreover, it has sensory stimuli with musical instruments, integration of physical activities in games for strengthening the upper cores and space for free play.

• Model Family Park

Dragatsaniou, 16777, Elliniko. 8,6km. The park covers an area of ​​12 acres and has a new playground certified for the safety of its organs, educational botanical garden, dog park, picnic area, 5×5 court, free play area & summer open-air cinema.

• Playground of Karaiskaki Square

25^th Nicosia str., 16562, Glyfada. 11km. In the playground of Karaiskaki square dominates a huuuge wooden castle with many entrances and slides. It also has cable cars, tunnels, houses, a fountain and much more. The playground also has infrastructure for children with disabilities. Furthermore, there is plastic grass to be safe and trees. Parents while their children play have the opportunity to use free wifi or relax on the benches in the area and having a picnic at the wooden tables.

• Hephaestus and Areti Playground

Aretis & Hephaestus, 16674, Glyfada. 13km. It’s a municipal playground of international standards, which includes original and safe toys. Moreover, it has special lawn, new trees, new living rooms, lighting with green lamps and much more.

 

Continue reading to discover other areas playgrounds:

• Central Athens
• Southern suburbs
• Northern suburbs
• Western Attica
• East Attica
• Piraeus
• Islands

 

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