A royal estate reborn, Greece’s former summer palace outside Athens will open as a cultural and environmental park in 2026.
The historic royal estate of Tatoi, nestled in the foothills of Mount Parnitha just outside the Greek capital, is undergoing a sweeping transformation, with a full public reopening slated for 2026.
Restoration work at the former summer palace of the ex-Greek royal family, launched in 2019, is progressing steadily. The ambitious €70 million initiative aims to convert the long-abandoned estate into a dynamic cultural and environmental park.
“The protection, restoration, and public reopening of the historic core of the former royal estate at Tatoi is a project of national significance,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. “It is one of the most extensive and complex cultural infrastructure projects in Greece, aiming to create a modern cultural park open to the public that blends historical memory with public use.”
Key restoration milestones have already been reached. Electromechanical systems inside the palace are nearly complete, and the basement and attic have been fully restored. Work is now concentrated on the ground and first floors. Outdoors, new infrastructure has been installed throughout the palace gardens, with landscaping and planting currently in progress.
Several auxiliary buildings are also being repurposed. King George I’s stable is being transformed into a Royal Carriage Museum, while the New Dairy will house two thematic exhibitions — one on the royal family’s historic vehicles, and the other dedicated to the estate’s agricultural legacy. The upper floor of the Dairy will serve as a venue for conferences and cultural events. Additionally, restoration of the mausoleum opposite the Church of the Resurrection has been completed.
Covering more than 40 square kilometers, the Tatoi estate includes dozens of structures, ancient trees, and historic royal burial grounds. Once left to decay, it is now being reimagined as a vibrant cultural destination open to all. The project is co-funded by national and EU recovery funds, alongside private donations from Greek foundations, including AMKE “Aegeas” (Athanasios and Marina Martinou) and the Athanasios Laskaridis Foundation.
Constructed in the late 19th century, Tatoi served as a royal residence until the monarchy’s abolition in 1973. Despite its complex royal legacy, it is increasingly recognized as a site of significant cultural and historical value.
Once reopened, the estate is expected to draw history buffs, nature lovers, and international visitors alike — offering a rare combination of neoclassical architecture, royal heritage, and forested trails just a short drive from central Athens.
