Abandoned Ellinikon airport set to become world’s largest coast park on the Athenian Riviera

·

The Ellinikon has been abandoned for almost 20 years, having been a military base, an airport and even an Olympic venue. The space that that the abandoned former airport has created has proved to be the perfect real estate for a coastal park on the Athenian Riviera.

In 2020, works began on the site to transform part of the space into residential buildings, some into commercial and the rest to be recreated into the world’s largest coastal park, The Metropolitan Park.

Thomas Doxiadis is the landscape architect behind the project and he draws parallels with the Olympic Park in London that was also previously a industrial site that found its new purpose in a park, a shopping mall and even residential buildings.

“Areas like this are first seen as a problem, then an opportunity,” Doxiadis says.

“The Experience Park is tying together three different conditions: to make the place fun, to keep the memory of the airport alive and to make something that is as sustainable as possible.”

The old runways of the abandoned airport are to be thoughtfully repurposed as benches, sculptures and even as Mediterranean-style flagstones that surround a newly planted formal garden.

Upon its completion, Ellinikon will be a destination in and of itself, creating a full kilometre of public beach, making access to the sun and sand of the Athenian Riviera even easier for day trippers from the city and the island-hopping boats of Piraeus.

“Taking the ruins of something and then building the next thing out of it is as Greek as you can get,” Doxiadis says.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Athens to Adelaide: Hellenic bonds strengthened at dinner for Loverdos

South Australia’s Greek community gathered at the Mortlock Chamber to honour visiting Deputy Minister Ioannis Loverdos.

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney pays tribute to women of courage and resistance

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney hosted a deeply moving and meticulously researched presentation titled Greek Heroines of WWII.

Anemones in full bloom, 25 years of Greek dance and giving

The hall was brimming with warmth, laughter, dance, and homemade food; unmistakable signs you’d stepped into an Anemones celebration.

Sydney Olympic may be forced to drop new logo over Olympic symbol breach

Sydney Olympic FC may be forced to change its new logo after it was found to breach protections over official Olympic symbols.

Greek Australian community leader Nola Radiotis honoured with Senior Award

The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards took place at Government House on this Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 

You May Also Like

Top three facts about tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas

Best known for his composure and spectacular skills, Greek tennis player Stefanos Tsitispas is celebrating his 25th birthday today.

Paroula’s Greek dancing group holds vibrant end-of-year celebration in Lakemba

Lakemba was alive with the rhythm of Greek tradition, as Paroula's dance group delivered a spectacular performance.

Victorian Education Minister holds meeting with Pharos to discuss future of Modern Greek

Pharos met with Victoria's Education Minister to discuss the Modern Greek Strategic Plan for the revitalisation of Greek in Victoria.