From Wikitravel

Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos, pronounced SYN-tag-mah) is the pulsating heart of the modern city of Athens, composed of the actual square together with the surrounding streets, open areas and assemblage of grand buildings that include banks, offices, top hotels and the old Royal Palace - now the Greek Parliament building.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By metro 2.2 By bus 3 See

Understand

Syntagma Square is named after the the Greek constitution (syntagma) that was proclaimed from the balcony of the royal palace that overlooks the square on 3 September 1843. The former palace has housed the Greek parliament since 1935.

Syntagma Square is a good point from which to begin your orientation in the city - its also much better in appearance than it used to be even a few years ago: the manic Athenian traffic has been re-routed and a concerted effort at beautification has been in place - with some good results. Points of convenience include numerous cafes, restaurants and all the usual fast food outlets, a new metro stop, a host of airline offices, etcetera.

The square serves as an occasional rallying place for demonstrations and public celebrations.

Get in

Syntagma Square is the ideal place to disembark from your airport bus or taxi - the very core of the modern city and within easy striking distance of the Plaka and other areas of central interest to travellers.

By metro

Syntagma has its own stop on the new metro line - perhaps one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Numerous excavations are demonstrated just in its halls, behind the glass...

By bus

If you are staying in Syntagma or in the nearby Plaka district, get off the airport bus at the stop opposite the National Gardens (to your right) before you reach the square itself.

See

• the Hellenic Parliament Building - formerly the royal palace, lining the eastern side of the square and guarded by kilted and pom-pommed soldiers - the evzones (ev-zone-ees)
• the Hotel Grand Bretagne - facing the northern edge of the square, the first and last word in opulence for Athenian accommodation, the resort of many a world leader passing through Athens...

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