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
Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
Athens Airport Hotels
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
Easter in Athens
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.
Cape Sounion and the East Coast
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.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the best things to see in Athens, and the best museum in the world for seeing Greece's archaeological treasures.
Pictures of Athens
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
Athens Agora
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.
The Best Hotels in Athens
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
Athens Food Tours
Athens Food Tours are being introduced by new company The Greek Fork, and will include tours of the Central Market, and the best street food.
Athens Olympic Stadium
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to the original Athens Olympic Stadium, built for the 1896 Olympic Games and open to the public for jogging and photography.
Ten Fun Things to Do in Athens
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.
Entertainment in Athens
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.
Food Tours in Athens
Greekality is a Greek company offering food tours in Athens including street food tours, wine and nightlife tours, vegan tours and cooking classes.
Athens Walking Tours and Other Experiences
Athens walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens
A Drive around Attica
This drive around Attica offers visitors high hills, beach resorts, small villages and classical sites like Marathon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
A Walk around Kolonáki
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.
Athens Dining Guide
This Athens dining guide doesn't list restaurants but gives practical advice on types of eating places, tipping, hotel breakfasts and picnics.
Athens International Airport
Athens International Airport is east of Athens city centre with its own Metro train station, buses to Athens and Piraeus, taxis and car rental offices.
Best Cocktail Bars in Athens
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.
Ten Best Museums in Athens
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best museums in Athens, with the top two being the National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
Athens Airport Car Rental
Athens Airport car rentals include Alamo/National Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, all with offices at the airport.
Athens War Museum
The Athens War Museum is a fascinating look at Greek history through the lens of warfare from ancient battles to the Greek War of Independence and World War II.
Restaurants with Acropolis Views
Greece Travel Secrets chooses its top ten Athens restaurants with Acropolis views, perfect for dining by day or by night, including places with Michelin stars.
Piraeus
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
Athens Events and Public Holidays
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.
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