Staying in Athens over the Easter period instead of escaping to a village or island in Greece or somewhere abroad doesn’t mean you miss out on a joyful experience.

On the contrary, you’ll be “spared” of having to be involved in all the usual agitation that goes hand in hand with such festivities – from cooking elaborate traditional feasts for hungry friends and relatives (and then cleaning up after them!) to circulating in places packed with tourists. Less busy because of the Easter exodus and with numerous wonderful places to visit, from gardens to churches to music venues and restaurants, Athens is a wonderful place to be at this time of year. Here follow our top suggestions for a relaxing, joyful and enriching Easter in town.

Walks
If you’re staying in Athens for Easter but want to enjoy the beauty of spring, take a walk in the city’s lovely parks. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, with its fragrant Mediterranean garden, is an excellent choice not only for walking but also for cycling. More centrally, the National Garden is a popular spot for a refreshing stroll immersed in greenery, and if you have children, they can see the ducks and swans and the small pond filled with turtles, and play in the playground. The Diomidis Botanical Garden is another excellent place to enjoy a plethora of flowers and plants as you walk.

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