Hotels near Syntagma Square and Changing of the Guard

Syntagma (Constitution) Square is Athens's official centre - a 19th-century neoclassical plaza in front of the former Royal Palace, now the Hellenic Parliament. The square hosts the changing of the Evzones, Greece's elite presidential guard, in their pleated foustanella skirts (with 400 pleats representing each year of Ottoman rule) and clog shoes weighing 3 kg each. The hourly ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a slow, ritualised exchange.

The full Sunday 11am ceremony is the showcase - the entire Evzones platoon parades up Vasilissis Sofias from the barracks with a brass band. Hourly changes Monday-Saturday are simpler. The square itself anchors the Athens metro hub and the start of Ermou shopping street.

Pro Tip: For the Sunday 11am full ceremony, arrive 30 minutes early to claim a spot at the parliament steps. Stand on the right (north) side of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the best photo angle. The Hotel Grande Bretagne rooftop bar opposite has a balcony view if you'd rather pay for a comfortable seat.