Greece unveiled plans for the redevelopment of Faliro Bay south of Athens on Thursday, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calling it an “iconic project” that will reconnect Athens with its coastline.
The initiative centers around Aenaon, a metropolitan park symbolizing continuity and timelessness, which is set to open in 2028 with funding from the European Union.
The park aims to become a Mediterranean landmark, offering open access for recreation, sports, and cultural events, while incorporating sustainable and innovative infrastructure.
“This will be a showcase for the Mediterranean, providing spaces for entertainment, sports, and a connection to nature,” Mitsotakis said.
Attica Regional Governor Giorgos Hardalias described the project as “a day of vindication for Attica,” highlighting the park’s role in transforming the area into a leading destination with sports facilities, swimming areas, and climate-resilient features, such as advanced drainage systems and green zones to enhance the local microclimate.
What will the Faliro Metropolitan Park look like?
The redevelopment, a collaboration between the Greek government and the EU, is positioned as a model for sustainable coastal infrastructure and tourism development in the Mediterranean.
The main pillars of the Faliro regeneration program are the promotion of nature, science, culture, and sports. The project will contribute to the environmental and aesthetic upgrade of the area as well as to the improvement of the quality of life. It will also provide green spaces and access to Faliro Bay.
The development will re-establish continuity between the city and the sea in accordance with the Cultural Center S. Niarchos facilities, which include Greece’s National Opera, National Library, and a Cultural / Educational Park.
The development of the area includes the:
- Tourist development (beach, artificial lakes, recreation areas, ecological park, etc.)
- Facilities and installations (Pavillions, open-air cinema, exhibition facilities, underground small buildings, etc.)
- Marine works (wharves, piers works, artificial beach, etc.)
- Infrastructure works (roads, bridges, etc.)
The budget for the metropolitan park amounts to 370 million euros, and 2,900 trees will be planted next to the sea, just a stone’s throw from the center of Athens. The park will offer 343 acres of greenery, covering 75 percent of its total area, with a vast array of trees and other plants.
The remaining 25 percent of the park will be zoned off for cultural activities in open-air event areas, an open-air cinema, open-air exhibition areas, as well as for sports activities with 5X5 courts, multi-purpose exercise areas, swimming pools, and covered facilities.
In addition, social events will be hosted in open and covered dining areas. There will also be various educational and thematic activities for children with access to themed playgrounds, game and 3D construction areas, and sand play.
Faliro, also known as Phalerum was a port of aqncient Athens, 5 kilometers (3 miles) southwest of the Acropolis of Athens on a bay of the Saronic Gulf. The bay is also referred to as the Bay of Phalerum.
The area of Phalerum is now occupied by the towns Palaio Faliro, Kallithea, Moschato, and Neo Faliro, all of which are part of the Athens metropolitan area.
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