The Ellinikon Experience Park — Attraction in Municipality of Vari - Voula - Vouliagmeni

I can’t understand the 5 star reviews. This place does not in any way match its hype or slick advertising. Apparently, in 25 years time (!!) it will be a utopian eco friendly paradise consisting of shopping centres, river walks, residential flats, cycle paths etc but at present it consists of an average playground , a water feature with nice lights and the most bizarre “experience” centre I have ever visited - it’s effectively a sales suite, presumably for foreign buyers of the “yet to be built” residential buildings. On to the specifics:

Access: you need a car. It is only accessible via a long road via derelict buildings (the site of the old airport).

Playground: nicely landscaped, clean and modern but far short of a forest experience (a couple of nice trees). It would keep children under 7 happy for a bit but there is nothing special here to keep kids entertained for any period of time. It doesn’t compare well with destination playgrounds of other European cities.

Experience centre - this is a sales suite with a few digital virtual reality gimmics. Avoid with children at all costs. The staff were very rude indeed and gave off an air that you were lucky to be let in. Our children are 7 and 9, not boisterous by any means, but we were followed by unwelcoming staff and came against rules at every turn. They left our side for 1 minute and were instantly approached and told to return to us. They were told the city exhibit was not to be touched. There were signs for a play area but none exists. The virtual reality bike? Not if you are under 14 (why??). A virtual yacht which went into autopilot if you made the slightest wrong turn anyway (children could be nowhere near, not even sitting supervised on their parents lap as we were told in no uncertain terms). The rules were nonsensical and it should be made clear that this experience centre does not permit children because the staff treat them with an attitude we have never experienced elsewhere, particularly not in a park that advertises itself for families (and indeed has nothing to offer if you don’t have children).

Water park: this was the nail in the coffin. At last we thought, our children will love this fun water feature full of dancing lights, water and music ( we have been to many in other countries before and always enjoyed them). They played happily until we were approached by a kind security guard (wearing what appeared to be a bulletproof vest- why??), who warned us that the metal on the water fountains cuts feet, and he recommended shoes. We were very surprised to hear this but my partner quickly went to retrieve flip flops from the car. Before my partner had got back with them, our 7 year old had slipped and fallen on his knees causing deep cuts all across the knee and across the front of his calf from sharp metal. Shoes do not protect from this (water + children=slip over!) and we are astonished that a water feature for children has been so badly designed- this is unsafe and not fit for purpose. We left the park with an extremely distressed child sobbing with blood pouring down his leg. It is clear that the kind security guard is familiar with this outcome.

Please avoid this place at all costs, it was our worst...

Some big money developers want to develop the land left over from the old airport. They built this modern little park on a tiny little part of that land along with a pavilion as a PR play. In a nutshell they want to build it out the area like one of the big projects in Dubai, or China, where it's a mix of houses, condos, retail, business towers on an enormous scale, creating self contained city. The exhibits go into how it will be environmentally friendly, futuristic, and so on. Part of the pavilion allows people to arrange deals to lease the new condos, yacht harbor slips, and business spaces that will be created at some point in the future.

On one end it's a modern little park with things to do for young kids such as one of those fountains that sprays while your kids run around inside. On the other a place for adults to be pitched a condo while their kids play.

The road into this "park" snakes around for a couple kilometers, making it difficult to get to.

As a tourist, I regret going here. I assumed it was a museum about the historic old airport,...

The Ellinikon Experience Park is a fantastic destination for visitors of all ages. This modern park offers a unique blend of green spaces, recreational activities, and cultural experiences, making it an ideal spot for a day out.

The park features beautifully landscaped gardens, walking and cycling paths, and plenty of open areas for picnics and relaxation. It also boasts state-of-the-art playgrounds for children, ensuring a fun and safe environment for families.

One of the highlights of the park is its diverse range of activities and events. From fitness classes and yoga sessions to live performances and art exhibitions, there is always something happening to engage visitors.

Additionally, the park is well-maintained and easily accessible, with ample parking and good public transport connections. The thoughtful design and attention to detail make The Ellinikon Experience Park a standout attraction, offering a perfect blend of nature, recreation,...