In a recent feature, The Guardian has unveiled ten of the finest hidden gardens tucked away in major European cities — serene escapes offering shade, calm, and a breath of fresh air far from the tourist crowds. Among these urban oases is a lesser-known treasure nestled in the Greek capital: the Diomedes Botanical Garden in Athens.

“From Paris to Athens, we’ve chosen secret paradises to escape the summer heat and swarms of tourists,” the article notes. And indeed, no list of Europe’s most enchanting green hideaways would be complete without this lush, often-overlooked sanctuary in the Athenian suburb of Haidari.

While Athens’ National Garden, located in the heart of the city, is well known to visitors and locals alike, few are aware of the sprawling Diomedes Botanical Garden just 20 minutes away by bus. Spanning an impressive 460 acres, it is Greece’s largest botanical garden and a living, breathing ecosystem where nature thrives.

Roughly 11% of the garden is cultivated, housing more than 2,500 plant species. The rest remains a preserved natural environment. Visitors can wander through the arboretum, where trees and shrubs from every continent are on display, or explore areas dedicated to ornamental plants, featuring 15 flowerbeds and 25 tranquil ponds.

Other themed sections include medicinal and aromatic plants, species of economic importance, greenhouse collections, rare flora, and even historical plants known to ancient Greek botanists.
A small café on-site offers refreshments, making it a peaceful stop for both plant lovers and those simply seeking solace.

The garden is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and on weekends and public holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It remains closed throughout August.

The Guardian’s Top 10 Secret Gardens in Europe:

1. El Capricho Park, Madrid
2. Onion Garden, London
3. Anne Frank Garden, Paris
4. Brera Botanical Garden, Milan
5. Centralbadets Garden, Stockholm
6. Royal Library Garden, Copenhagen
7. Károlyi Garden, Budapest
8. University Library Garden, Warsaw
9. Vrtba Garden, Prague
10. Diomedes Botanical Garden, Athens