Greece’s Ambitious Smart City Project: A $8 Billion Investment in Innovation and Sustainability

Greece is currently constructing what will be Europe’s largest and greenest smart city near Athens. The project, known as Ellinikon, has been in development for over a decade and is estimated to cost $8 billion. At the heart of Ellinikon is the Riviera Tower, which will be Greece’s first skyscraper.

The new city will feature more than just a skyscraper – it will also include a high-end mall and a sports park. Developers have described Ellinikon as a “zip-code paradise,” blending stunning coastal views with cutting-edge technology and environmentally friendly infrastructure. The first phase of the project is set to be completed by 2026 and is expected to attract a million new tourists, bolstering the Greek economy by 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion).

Ellinikon is one of several new high-tech cities being built around the world, though they are typically located in China or the Middle East rather than Europe. The Ellinikon Experience Center opened in 2022 and is housed in a restored hangar from the former airport. The center aims to highlight the site’s history while also showcasing the eco-friendly technology that will be at the core of future cities.