Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos)

The Basics

Dating to the turn of the 19th century, this square was built on what was, at the time, the eastern edge of town. It was originally known as Palace Square because it was to be the site of King Otto's palace, after the Greek capital was shifted to Athens. Today it attracts locals and tourists alike, owing to its central location and proximity to many of the most important attractions in Athens. Many city tours pass through or stop at the square.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Note that demonstrations are occasionally held here; they were frequent during the Greek financial crisis.

• There are wheelchair-accessible restaurants directly on Syntagma Square.

• Remember sun protection, particularly if you’re visiting in the summer, as the square offers little shade.

How to Get There

Situated across the street from the Athens National Garden, Syntagma Square is a major transport hub, with plenty of buses stopping at or near the square. The Syntagma Metro Station is accessible from a few different points across the square; lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro and line 4 (Aristotle) and line 5 (Plato) of the Athens Tram stop here.

When to Get There

The square is a 24-hour attraction, though it’s most interesting in the day or early evening. In front of the parliament building, the elite Presidential Guards (Evzones) guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier around the clock; watch the official Changing of the Guard at 11am on Sundays. On other days, the guards march and change places hourly.

The Old Royal Palace

The neoclassical parliament building at one end of Syntagma Square was built as the Royal Palace around 1843 for the unwelcome King Otto of Bavaria. It was temporarily vacated after a fire in 1909, though some royals lived here until the monarchy was abolished in the 1920s. Before becoming the headquarters of parliament, it served a variety of purposes, including as a refugee shelter, a museum, and a World War II hospital.

Ways to explore

Syntagma Square attracts locals and tourists alike, owing to its central location and proximity to many of the most important attractions in Athens. The square is a common meeting point for city tours, both day and night, and the start point for a number of hop-on hop-off bus routes. Most Athens tours will pass through here—whether food tours or walking tours, e-bike tours or trikke scooter tours—often en route to the Parliament Building to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Accessibility

Syntagma metro station (lines 2 and 3) is accessible, and the square is flat and even. Some restaurants are wheelchair accessible, but accommodations vary.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen and a reusable water bottle are your friends when visiting Athens during the summer heat.

What to wear

Athenians dine late (typically 9pm or later); if you’re eating like a local outside the summer peak, you’ll want to bring a layer.

Not allowed

If a sign in the bathroom asks you to put the paper in the bin, be sure to follow the instruction: Stray toilet tissue can cause a world of pain in Athens’ antiquated sewage system.

Amenities

Public restrooms, cafés, restaurants

Address

Syntagma Square is in the heart of Athens, about a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) walk from the main entrance to the Acropolis. It’s situated across the street from the National Gardens of Athens.

Driving

Downtown Athens is no fun to self-drive, and there’s rarely any parking. Walk, use public transit, take a taxi or a rideshare, or join a tour.

Public transportation

Syntagma Square is a major transportation hub, with plenty of buses and trams stopping at or near the square, including a number of hop-on hop-off buses. Syntagma metro station (lines 2 and 3) is right on the square.

Best times to visit

The square is a 24-hour attraction, though it’s most interesting in the day or early evening. The Changing of the Guard takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Parliament Building every hour, on the hour.

Best days to visit

Visit at 11am on Sundays for an extravaganza performance of the Changing of the Guard with a military band.

Best months to visit

Most travelers prefer Athens in the shoulder seasons (April, May, September, and October), when temperatures are warm but crowds are thinner.

Special events

As the city’s epicenter, Syntagma Square sees a wealth of parades. One particularly colorful one closes out Athens Pride, generally on a Saturday in mid-June.