The Ellinikon project transforms former Athens airport into Europe’s largest coastal park

The Ellinikon project in Athens is transforming a former airport into Europe’s largest coastal urban park. Spanning 200 hectares, the development is designed with climate resilience as a priority. Using thermal mapping and computational fluid dynamics, designers have created a network of cool routes and shaded areas intended to maintain temperatures up to four degrees Celsius lower than surrounding streets.

The park features advanced environmental infrastructure, including a sensor-driven irrigation system for over 520 plant species and water features designed for evaporative cooling. The site is engineered to process 100 percent of its own rainfall on-site.

A major component, the Ellinikon Sports Park, has begun its phased delivery to the public. This 287,000-square-meter facility provides space for professional and mass sports, catering to families and citizens of all ages. The development includes new offices for the Hellenic Paralympic Committee and strategic partnerships with organizations such as SEGAS and the Mouratoglou Racket Club. The full park is scheduled to open in stages, with primary infrastructure expected by early 2027 and further developments continuing through 2030.