Sweltering Athens Finally Plants Thousands of Trees and Renovates Iconic Acropolis Hills with Greenery

April 24, 2025 journo

A 700-year-old olive tree being relocated to crown the tree-planting efforts – credit, City of Athens

Throughout 2024, the city of Athens focused on expanding urban greenery in key areas in response to several sweltering summers in a row.

Featuring the planting of the city’s first micro-forest, greening has occurred in six neighborhoods as well as on the famous Acropolis.

The goal was to plant 5,000 trees and shrubs in the city by the end of 2024, and was launched by the recently-elected mayor Haris Doukas. Summer temperatures and overcrowding causes the city to bake under one of the most extreme urban heat island effects in Europe.

To wit, Athens was for many years the holder of the World Meteorological Organization record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe with 48.0°C (118.4°F). It was the first city in Europe to appoint a “chief heat officer” to deal with severe heat waves.

Athens is home to double the population of the next 9 largest Greek cities combined, and greenery, as well as space to put it, are severely lacking.

But things are looking up in the old city these days now that the first greening project has been completed, the results of which can be found in Athens Trees mobile app.

The efforts, which included the planting of a micro-forest on Alepotrypa Hill and the creation of the new Kalvos and Degleri Park, culminated in the relocation of a 700-year-old olive tree from the Aigio region to grace the Old Parliament building on Stadiou Street.

Moving forward, Mr. Doukas’ efforts will continue with the hopes that 5,000 trees can become 25,000 trees by the time he leaves office. Work has already begun on future additions—targeting the Western Hills of the Acropolis.

€2 million from the country’s Green Fund was secured to support the restoration and enhancement of the iconic Filopappos Hill and elsewhere.

“This funding will enable critical studies, infrastructure improvements, and the revitalization of Filopappos Hill, while enhancing its urban amenities,” Mayor Doukas announced. “We’re addressing a long-standing issue, creating a greener, safer space for Athenians and visitors alike.”

The project is spearheaded by GREEN ATHENS, a municipal company collaborating with the Municipality’s Green Department. Work has already been completed on the Acropolis, including the clearing of slopes and unclogging storm of drains, as well as the planting of 100 new shrubs and trees at the Acropolis-side entrance and the removal of 400 dead ones.

MORE GREEK STORIES: Sharp Increase in the Numbers of Nesting Sea Turtles Rewards a Generation of Hard Work in Greece

Doukas believes that by the time the work is finished, the birthplace of democracy will have shed 3 degrees off of annual temperatures, as well as providing shade to thousands of people, streets, and homes.

SHARE The News Of How This Ancient City Is Rising To Meet Modern Challenges…