Syntagma & Plaka

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book

Overview

Syntagma is the heart of modern Athens, a business and bar district with Plateia Syntagmatos (Syntagma Sq) its historical meeting point, political centre and transport hub. Adjacent to the square is the National Garden; a short stroll southwest is Plaka, the heart of old Athens, virtually all that existed when the city was declared the new Greek nation's capital in 1834. With narrow streets winding by neoclassical mansions, Byzantine churches and telegenic tavernas, Plaka is ground zero for Athens tourism. Lifelong residents and splashes of graffiti keep its soul strong.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Columns at the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens. 1210311976 acropolis, ancient, archeology, architecture, art, athens, atina, attiki, attiva, blue, capital, city, civilization, classical, column, construction, corinthian, culture, europe, famous, god, greece, greek, hellenic, hill, history, landmark, marble, monument, old, olympian, parthenon, past, pillar, plaka, religion, ruin, sight, sky, stone, temple, tourism, tourist, touristic, travel, vacation, view, white, zeus

    Temple of Olympian Zeus

    Syntagma & Plaka

    A can't-miss on two counts: it's a marvellous temple, once the largest in Greece, and it's smack in the centre of Athens. Of the temple's 104 original…

  • Athens, Attica / Greece - 2018/04/03: Arch of Hadrian known as Hadrian’s Gate as gateway to Temple of Olympian Zeus, Olympieion, in ancient city center old town borough; Shutterstock ID 1730853691; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi 1730853691

    Hadrian’s Arch

    Syntagma & Plaka

    The Roman emperor Hadrian had a great affection for Athens. Although he did his fair share of spiriting its Classical artwork to Rome, he also embellished…

  • A verdant archway full of plants at the National Garden in Athens

    National Garden

    Syntagma & Plaka

    The former royal gardens, designed by Queen Amalia in 1838, are a pleasantly unkempt park that makes a welcome shady refuge from summer heat and traffic…

  • 2E6AXR9 Detail of a 19th century laghouto, or lute, inlaid with ivory and tortoise shell, displayed at the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments (MELMOKE) in Athens February 15, 2015. Tucked away in a corner of Athens' historic Plaka district is the small MELMOKE where visitors are treated to rows of wood and bone flutes, pottery drums called toumbeleki, and gaida - bagpipes made of sheep or goat skins. The laghouto is said to have been made by luthier Manolis Venios of Constantinople (present day Istanbul), a master craftsman whose works now sell for many thousands of dollars. Picture taken Februa 2E6AXR9 MUSIC, GREECE, MUSEUM

    Museum of Greek Popular Instruments

    Syntagma & Plaka

    A single avid ethnomusicologist collected almost 1200 folk instruments; the best are on display in three floors of this house-turned-museum. Headphones…

  • Lysikrates Monument

    Lysikrates Monument

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Chorus leader and musical patron Lysikrates built this tower in 334 BC to commemorate the victory of his sponsored chorus in the dramatic contests of the…

  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

    Syntagma & Plaka

    In front of Parliament, the traditionally costumed evzones (presidential guards) stand by the tomb and change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a…

  • National Historical Museum

    National Historical Museum

    Syntagma & Plaka

    This grand old collection of swords, ship figureheads and portraits of moustachioed generals is a bit short on signage; it's best for people who already…

  • Plateia Syntagmatos

    Plateia Syntagmatos

    Syntagma & Plaka

    Generally considered the centre of Athens, this square is a transport hub and general hang-out spot, especially on warm summer evenings when young people…

View more attractions

Plan with a local

Build a memorable collection

Get to the heart of Syntagma & Plaka with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.