Athens, Greece’s capital, was recently ranked at the bottom of a list of the world’s 100 cities with the most green space, according to data collected and analyzed by Freepik.
Across the globe, green spaces are essential to the fabric of local communities. From major green spaces, such as New York City’s Central Park, to local parks and gardens, Freepik, a Spanish technology company specializing in AI tools for creating and editing audiovisual content, says that it’s been proven that spending time in nature helps to increase our happiness, energy levels, and creativity. Based on this, the company aimed to determine which of the world’s 100 most populous cities have the most green space to offer.
Based on the results, Athens ranked 99th on the bottom of the list, with only two green spaces, while Tokyo topped the list with 159 green spaces, including parks and other nature-related attractions, followed by London with 78, Paris with 63, Singapore with 55, and New York City with 46.
On the bottom of the list just ahead of Athens are Dhaka (Bangladesh) at 96th place, Forth Worth (US) at 97th, and Monterrey (Mexico) at 98th place, all with a total of four green spaces.
Freepik got its seed list of green space attractions by scraping Tripadvisor for attractions in the “Nature and Parks” section. Then, Freepik analyzed Google reviews for 2,300 green space attractions across the world’s 100 most populous cities to determine which of the cities have the most green spaces and which are most popular. Additionally, the company used Google Keyword Planner to gather an overview of monthly searches for each attraction. Finally, it utilized an AI image generator to determine what the cities with the most green space might look like fifty years from now.
One of the Greek capital’s green spaces
While Athens is not known for its many parks and green spaces, the Greek capital still has some unique places for a green escape.
Athens National Garden
Situated in the very center of Athens is the famous National Garden. It occupies an area of about sixteen hectares between Syntagma Square and the Panathenaic Stadium and is the true green lung of the city.
As the largest among the central parks of Athens, it is also a historical landmark. It was created between 1838 and 1840 by order of Queen Amalia, wife of King Otto and the first Queen of Greece.
American novelist Henry Miller described this place as “the quintessence of a park, the thing one feels sometimes in looking at a canvas or dreaming of a place one would like to be in and never finds.”
Today, it is difficult to imagine how such a green oasis is located in the very heart of a bustling city not far from noisy avenues. People come here not only for solitude and a breath of fresh air but also to look at various exotic plants, sculptures, lush flower beds, and ancient ruins. Some of the wonderful trees found in the park include Australian pines, Chinese heavenly trees, Judas trees, and Canary Island date palms.
Philopappos Hill
The lush Philopappos Hill overlooking the Acropolis is beloved by Athens’ locals and tourists alike. Offering stunning vistas of the city and the Aegean Sea from its 147-meter summit, it is a cherished spot for strolls and gentle hikes.
The hill itself offers pleasant shade and air filled with the scent of pine trees. This picturesque place is believed to be the location of the cell in which the imprisoned Socrates spent the last days of his life.
Other attractions in this park include the 16th-century Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, adorned with beautiful frescoes and marble floors. A marble paved path leads to it. It was designed by the famous modernist architect Dimitris Pikionis.
The top of the hill is crowned by the monument of Julius Antiochus Philopappos, a prince from the Kingdom of Commagene who died in 116 AD.
Lycabettus Hill
Lycabettus Hill in Athens is one of the most iconic places of the city. Rising 277 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the Greek capital, offering a challenging but interesting walk. At the top of the hill stands the whitewashed Greek Church of St. George.
Those who choose to hike rather than take a short cable car ride will be well rewarded. The winding paths of the hill, the melodious chirping of birds welcoming visitors, and the stunning views will beckon to visitors with each and every step. At the peak, a breathtaking panorama of Athens and Piraeus awaits viewers.
The sunset view from this hill is a must-see as illuminated landmarks gradually emerge, including the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium, and the Ancient Agora.