Hellinikon Stadium

Hellinikon Stadium Visiting Guide, Athens, Greece: Tickets, Hours, and Travel Tips

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction: Hellinikon Stadium’s Historical and Urban Significance

Located just 8 kilometers south of central Athens on the Aegean coastline, Hellinikon Stadium and its broader site embody a story of remarkable transformation. From its origins as Athens’ historic international airport to a celebrated Olympic venue and, most recently, the centerpiece of one of Europe’s largest urban redevelopment projects, Hellinikon is a microcosm of 20th- and 21st-century Greek history. The site’s journey—from aviation hub (1938–2001), through its Olympic legacy, humanitarian use during the European migrant crisis, and now as a flagship for sustainable urban regeneration—offers a fascinating perspective on Athens’ evolution and resilience (The Ellinikon; Wikipedia: Hellinikon Olympic Complex; Neocloud Marketing).

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Hellinikon Stadium’s history, current status, practical visitor information, and insights into the ongoing Ellinikon Project—a visionary €8 billion redevelopment transforming the southern coast of Athens.

Introduction
Hellinikon: Origins and Early History
From Airport to Olympic Venue
Olympic Complex Construction and Legacy
Post-Olympic Years: Decline and Social Role
Current Status (2025): Redevelopment and Visitor Information
Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
Nearby Attractions and Travel Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Visuals and Media
Internal Links
Conclusion and Recommendations
Sources

Hellinikon: Origins and Early History

The modern history of Hellinikon began with the opening of Athens’ international airport in 1938, serving as Greece’s principal gateway for over six decades (Greek Reporter). During World War II, the site was used by occupying German forces and, later, as a US Air Force base. The airport underwent significant modernization in the postwar period, including the addition of a terminal designed by Eero Saarinen in 1969. Before its airport era, the land briefly housed refugee populations in the 1920s (The Ellinikon).

From Airport to Olympic Venue

With the opening of Athens International Airport in Spata in 2001, Hellinikon Airport closed. The vast, now-vacant site was repurposed as the Hellinikon Olympic Complex for the 2004 Summer Olympics, hosting events in baseball, softball, basketball, fencing, and canoe/kayak slalom (Wikipedia: Hellinikon Olympic Complex). The transformation was emblematic of the city’s modernization and ambition on the world stage (Neocloud Marketing).

Olympic Complex Construction and Legacy

The complex featured several major venues:

Baseball Centre: Two stadiums (8,700 and 4,000 seats)
Softball Stadium: 3,400 seats
Indoor Arena: Up to 15,000 (basketball) and 13,500 (handball)
Canoe/Kayak Slalom Centre: 2,250-meter artificial course (Wikipedia: Hellinikon Olympic Complex; The Sun; Athens Journal of Sports)

These venues were the stage for memorable Olympic moments, but like many Olympic infrastructures worldwide, post-Games use was limited.

After 2004, most Hellinikon venues fell into disuse. The Baseball Centre was home to Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. (2007–2014), but soon the facilities deteriorated, with the Softball Stadium overgrown and the Indoor Arena demolished by 2022 (Wikipedia: Hellinikon Stadium; The Sun). During the European migrant crisis, the site served as a temporary refugee camp, housing thousands and highlighting its humanitarian significance (Wikipedia: Hellinikon Stadium).

Current Status (2025): Redevelopment and Visitor Information

The Ellinikon Project

Hellinikon is now the focus of the €8 billion Ellinikon Project, Europe’s largest urban redevelopment, led by Lamda Development. The plan includes:

A 2 million sq. meter coastal park (larger than London’s Hyde Park or New York’s Central Park)
Modern residential neighborhoods (“Little Athens”)
Cultural, commercial, and business centers
Integrated public transport and sustainable infrastructure
Preservation of select historic buildings (The Ellinikon; Greek Reporter)

Status: As of July 2025, most Olympic venues have been demolished. Parts of Ellinikon Park are open, and new neighborhoods and facilities are gradually being unveiled.

Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility

Hellinikon Stadium Access

Current Status: The original Hellinikon Stadium is closed to the public. There are no visiting hours or ticketing options for the stadium itself due to ongoing demolition and construction (The Ellinikon).
Ellinikon Park & Experience Centre: These new attractions are open and free to access during posted hours (generally dawn to dusk for the park; standard museum hours for the Experience Centre).
Guided Tours: Occasional tours are available for the regeneration project and Experience Centre. Check the official Ellinikon website for updates.

Getting There

Metro: Line 2 (Red) to Elliniko Station; park and redevelopment areas are within walking distance.
Tram: Connects the city center with the coast and Hellinikon.
Bus & Taxi: Multiple options from central Athens.
Car: Parking is limited and may be restricted during construction.
Accessibility: The regeneration project emphasizes full accessibility, but construction zones are off-limits.

Nearby Attractions and Travel Tips

Glyfada Beach & Marina: Just west of Hellinikon, offering seaside relaxation, dining, and shopping.
Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre: Former Olympic venue, now a popular marina.
Coastal Promenade: Cafés, water sports, and scenic walks along the Athenian Riviera.
Travel Tips: Check the official Ellinikon website for up-to-date access information. Use public transport for convenience, wear comfortable shoes, and plan summer visits for early morning or evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Hellinikon Stadium open to the public?
A: No, the original stadium is closed due to demolition and redevelopment.

Q: Are there any tickets required to visit the area?
A: No tickets are needed for Ellinikon Park and the Experience Centre (except for special events).

Q: How do I get to the site?
A: Take Metro Line 2 to Elliniko Station, or use the tram, bus, or taxi from central Athens.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Some tours are offered for the Ellinikon Project’s new facilities. Check the official website for details.

Q: What else can I see nearby?
A: Glyfada’s beaches, marinas, and the new parklands of the Ellinikon development.

Visuals and Media

Suggested images (with optimized alt text):

Aerial view of Hellinikon Stadium and Ellinikon Park (“Aerial view of Hellinikon Stadium redevelopment, Athens 2025”)
Entrance to Ellinikon Park (“Entrance to Ellinikon Metropolitan Park, Athens”)
Map showing Hellinikon’s location near Metro Line 2 (“Map of Hellinikon redevelopment area and access points”)
Photos of Glyfada beach and the Aegean coastline (“Glyfada beach near Hellinikon, Athens Riviera”)

Internal Links

[Athens Olympic Venues: Past and Present]
[Top Historical Sites to Visit in Athens]
[Guide to Athens Public Transport]

Conclusion and Recommendations

Hellinikon Stadium’s story is emblematic of Athens itself—a city balancing heritage, adversity, and bold reinvention. Although the original Olympic stadium is no longer accessible, the area’s transformation into the Ellinikon Metropolitan Park is creating a vibrant new district where history, culture, and sustainability converge. Visitors should check official channels for the latest opening updates, and consider exploring nearby neighborhoods, beaches, and the gradually opening green spaces of the Ellinikon Project.