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.
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.
Where to Stay in Athens
Some other Athens pages
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.
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.
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.
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 walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Monastiraki Flea Market, followed by Sunday lunch at Sigalas on Monastiraki Square
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
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.
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.
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.
This extract of Artistic Athens in the Lonely Planet book Culture Trails takes visitors on a journey through the artistic side of Athens..
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 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.
This Athens dining guide doesn't list restaurants but gives practical advice on types of eating places, tipping, hotel breakfasts and picnics.
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 Athens Museum of Cycladic Art houses a remarkable collection of Cycladic figurines and other items and is one of the best museums in Athens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Around Monastiraki is the flea market, Athens cathedral, Kerameikos Cemetery, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art and the Psirri and Gazi nightlife districts.
Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best museums in Athens, with the top two being the National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
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.
There are lots of flights from Athens to Santorini as well as a ferry service from Piraeus, with flights to Santorini leaving from Athens International Airport.
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