Change of Guards
Change of Guards
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Change of Guards
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Syntagma
Perhaps the best place to get your bearings is Syntagma Square, crowned by the imposing Parliament building on its upper side and surrounded by other large structures, such as the exclusive Hotel Grande Bretagne. The grand avenues that lead towards Omonia are also full of massive Neoclassical edifices like the Numismatic Museum and those around smaller Platia Kolokotroni. Here you will find lots of travel agents, bookshops and fashion shops, especially on Ermou Street. Just south of Syntagma Square, you can take a breather in the lush National Gardens, which extend into the grounds of the Zappeio palace and beyond to the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus.
How to get there
- Syntagma • 1 min walk
- Nomismatokopio • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,621 within 3 miles
Attractions
622 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
16
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
abhinav goel
12 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This synchronised act is delight to see. This happens in front of parliament n every hour. U will be mesmerised to see how each step is in sync. Best time to go is when there is crowd cheering the guards.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manolis
Xanthi, Greece2,191 contributions
Jul 2019
One of the best “must visit” places in Athens. It doesn’t matter if u r Greek or foreigner. The change of the guard is super. For Greeks it raises the spirit of proud; For Foreigners a unique chance to watch something really exciting. Don’t miss it
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emanuele Ornella
Athens, Greece71 contributions
Aug 2019
These guys are really incredible, You can see many videos on youtube. But it is worth to be there for the hour of half an hour to see their "dancing".
Do not laugh: this is extremely serious for them.
What is amazing is that there are policemen and other soldiers to control the tourists.
This is more a free touristic show rather than something useful in the second millennium.
Good to show your kids or teenagers.
Do not laugh: this is extremely serious for them.
What is amazing is that there are policemen and other soldiers to control the tourists.
This is more a free touristic show rather than something useful in the second millennium.
Good to show your kids or teenagers.
Written September 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rudy N
Geneva, Switzerland168 contributions
Aug 2018
The formal way of marching is a bit outdated! Formal and nice but not really worth the time. Besides the duty officer is not wearing the same uniform!
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rochdale, UK200 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
I have seen the ceremony on TV on several occasions and found it rather eccentric. I arrived to see the guards but had no idea when the 'changing' would take place. On my first day in Athens but my third trip to Greece this year I saw no eccentricity, only immense pride in a country that has everything from antiquities, fantastic food and wine, though to beautiful scenery. As I watched the guards, I reflected on the history of this great country - invasion by Romans and Turks, dictatorship and recent financial challenges. At that point, and throughout my stay, I have encountered nothing but wonder, at everything that this amazing city has to offer.
Written September 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gatormotherof2
Washington DC, DC510 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Pomp and circumstance in 109 degree temperatures. If you’re in the vicinity and within minutes of the commencement of the “show”, then add it to your “to do” list, but don’t feel obligated nor disappointed if this were missed - this pales in comparison to the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace 😉
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rochdale, UK200 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This charmingly eccentric ceremony is unique in my experience and well worth watching. The precision of the marching and the guards’ ability to remain motionless for long periods is a tribute to excellent training and patriotism. Highly recommended.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
corinne292
Geneva, Switzerland136 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
You might have seen one, in his ballerina skirt, on a Greek yogurt label. An Evzonas is so much more than that. The first one I glimpsed at, solemn and suddenly mechanically walking, no more than ten steps and back, was being photographed by a tall dark young man - who was himself an evzonas, as he later explained to me. Originally, the fustanella (ballerina skirt) needed 30 meters thin fabric and had 400 folds, each fold representing a year of Turkish occupation. Under the phermeli (or velvet black and embroidered jacket) the blinding white plissé shirt has huge butterfly sleeves. The XXL pompon (tuft) on the special shoes (in Greek tsarbouchias) used to hide a knife in case of utmost need. The training nowadays last 9 months, just as for a pregnant lady. The evzonas I met was proud and beaming : he made my day.
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
129rrj
Krakow, Poland31 contributions
Mar 2018
These guards are phenomenal. Really good to see the dedication and discipline. Go later in the day when there aren't as many tourists.
Written December 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DipuKV
Pune, India3,164 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
A note of caution upfront! Given the huge crowds, this activity is low on visibility to all and high on waiting time. So if you have a ringside view and loads of patience, the march of the guards is a good peek into Greek history & culture.
Written October 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it happening today January 20 with Macedonia March taking place in Syntagma square?
Written January 20, 2019
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing