Changing of the Guard
in Athens
The Changing of the Guard in Athens takes place outside the National Parliament Building at the top of Syntagma Square and is a must-see for visitors.
One of the main things visitors want to see is the changing
of the guard in Athens. It’s an impressive and highly choreographed routine and
it happens at the top (eastern) end of Syntagma Square.
Where is the Changing
of the Guard in Athens?
At this end of the square and behind a wall is the unmistakable
National Parliament Building. In front of the wall is the Monument to the
Unknown Soldier, with several guard huts for the Evzones who stand guard there.
Their duties include guarding both the monument and the Presidential Palace,
which is on the far side of the National Garden.
National Parliament
Building
The National Parliament Building, or Hellenic Parliament, stands
at the top of Syntagma Square, and its full Greek name is the Vouli ton Ellinon,
which literally means the Will of the Greek People. It's a handsome building
which was originally built as a royal palace for King Otto, the first King of
the modern independent Greek state, and it opened in 1843.
It ceased being a royal home in 1924 when the monarchy was first abolished in Greece. For a time it was a hospital and then a museum, before becoming home to the Greek Parliament in 1935.
Our Pick of the Athens Guides
The building is not open to the public although there are occasional exhibitions in the Parliament Library, and if one is on when you’re in Athens you should definitely take the opportunity to look inside, whether you're interested in the subject of the exhibition or not.
Evzones
The Evzones were originally several different elite units of
the Greek Army, though now their role is more ceremonial. Their kilt-like
outfit is known as a fustanella, and these were worn by Greek highwaymen known
as klephts, who became heroes for resisting the Turkish occupation of Greece.
When is the Changing
of the Guard in Athens?
The changing of the guard in Athens takes place every hour,
on the hour, every day of the year. However, if you can, try and watch the
ceremony at 11am on a Sunday morning. This is a more elaborate version of the
guards changing, and something you shouldn’t miss if you’re in Athens on a
Sunday morning.
Some other Athens pages
This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.
Around Monastiraki is the flea market, Athens cathedral, Kerameikos Cemetery, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art and the Psirri and Gazi nightlife districts.
Athens is a top vacation destination. The Greece Travel Secrets Athens guide has information on hotels, museums, Athens airport and all the best things to do.
The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.
The Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum is housed in a beautiful villa with an underground wing and lovely gardens too.
Syntagma Square or Constitution Square is the main square in Athens and has a metro station, the Greek Parliament building, hotels, cafes, and a post office.
The Athens Agora or ancient market is a must-see site and one of the best things to do in Athens with its restored arcade building, the Stoa, and its museum.
There's all kinds of entertainment in Athens whether you're interested in theatre, dance, classical music, jazz, Greek music, rock music, disco, opera or movies.
Easter in Athens is, like everywhere in Greece, the biggest religious celebration of the year and this page tells you what to expect over the Easter weekend.
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
The Athens National Historical Museum is in the former Greek Parliament building and houses an archive of historical artefacts and documents.
The best views in Athens include views from the Acropolis and of the Acropolis from the top of some of the city’s several hills and from hotels and restaurants.
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
Athens Airport car rentals include Alamo/National Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, all with offices at the airport.
The Greece Travel Secrets website looks at the Athens weather, the chance of rain, the climate in summer and winter and the best time to visit Athens.
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.
The Pnyx hill near the Acropolis is one of Athens' true hidden gems, a place to wander freely away from the crowds and discover ancient places and mysteries.
The best things to do in Athens, Greece, include top archaeological sites like the Acropolis and must-see attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum
If visiting Athens it helps to know when major events and public holidays take place, as some shops and attractions may be closed, but to be there at times like Easter can make for a magical trip.
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
Athens car rental options include almost all of the major international car hire firms such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Europcar.
Ten Fun Things to Do in Athens include eating in the Central Market, watching the sun set over the Acropolis and seeing one of the world's oldest theatres.
A History of Athens from the first people to live on the Acropolis through the Golden Age of Pericles and Alexander the Great to the military junta.
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
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