The charmingly unkempt royal gardens, conceived and carefully crafted by Queen Amalia in 1838, offer a cool and inviting respite from the bustling summer heat and city life. Amid the foliage, one can find a cafe, a playground, turtle and duck ponds, and a quaint yet somewhat dismal zoo. Located near Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias and Parliament, the park can be accessed from Irodou Attikou to the east or the Zappeion to the south.