The Parliament Building (Old Palace)
Standing at the highest point of Plateia Syntagmatos, the Pentelic marble façade of the Parliament building, or ‘Voulí’, commands an impressive position. Built between 1836 and 1842, it originally served as the royal palace of King Otto following Greek independence from Turkish

 

occupation. It remained a royal palace until it was damaged by fire in 1910, and then reopened in 1935 as the seat of the National Assembly. The changing-of-the-guard ceremony each Sunday at 11am is great fun to watch. Traditionally dressed in a uniform of pom-pom shoes, tasseled socks and short skirt, the evzones (members of the National Guard) perform the picturesque ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament Building.

Plateia Syntagmatos
Metro Station:  Syntagma

 

National Gardens & Zappeion Hall

Finding somewhere to entertain the kids in Athens is not always easy, but if in doubt head for the National Gardens. Apart from providing welcome respite from the sweltering summer temperatures it will adequately occupy the little ones for hours on end. Formerly for the exclusive use of the Royal Palace, the gardens now accommodate a zoo, a library for children, playground, duck ponds, café, picnic benches and winding pathways to explore. Hidden amidst the abundant vegetation is the majestic Zappeion Exhibition and Congress Hall. This imposing Neo-Classical building is a space for exhibitions, international conferences and ceremonies.

Metro Station: Syntagma

 

Panathinaiko Stadium

The Panathinaiko Stadium (widely known as ‘Kallimarmaro’) sits in the lea of Arditos Hill. The U-shaped, white Pentelic marble stadium was built over the ruins of the ancient Roman stadium of Athens and is where the first Modern Olympic Games took place back in 1896.

 

The stadium will once again serve as a competition venue during the 2004 Olympic Games, with the restoration project resulting in a 70,000-seater stadium that will host the marathon finish and archery event.

Vassileos Konstantinou
Metro Station:  Syntagma, Akropoli