Old Royal PalaceAbout Old Royal Palace
The Old Royal Palace in Athens is a 19th-century neoclassical building originally constructed as the royal residence for King Otto of Greece. It was designed by the Bavarian architect Friedrich von Gärtner and completed in the mid-19th century.
After serving as the royal palace for decades, the building was repurposed in the 20th century to house the Hellenic Parliament. The western facade faces Syntagma Square, where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Evzones guard posts are prominent features.
The palace’s role changed from a royal residence to the seat of parliamentary government, with interior alterations to accommodate legislative functions. It remains one of central Athens’ principal historic and civic buildings.
Geographically it sits on Syntagma Square in central Athens, a short walk from major museums, boulevards and transport links.
- Architect and current use: Designed in the 19th century by the German architect Friedrich von Gärtner as a royal residence, the building now houses the Greek Parliament and faces Syntagma Square in central Athens.
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits on the building’s western steps and is the site of the Evzones guard ceremony that attracts many visitors.
Nearby Attractions to Old Royal Palace
Best Time to Visit Old Royal Palace
Spring and autumn (March-May, September-October) offer the most pleasant conditions to visit the Old Royal Palace in Athens, with milder temperatures and manageable crowds.
Weather & Climate near Old Royal Palace
Old Royal Palace's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 6° - 13° | 7° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | 6° - 13° | 7° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Very Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 11° - 20° | 16° | 33 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 25° | 20° | 18 mm | some cloud | 62% | 3.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 30° | 25° | 9 mm | clear | 55% | 3.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 33° | 28° | 7 mm | clear | 51% | 3.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Ideal | 22° - 32° | 28° | 7 mm | clear | 53% | 3.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.4h |
| September | Ideal | 19° - 28° | 24° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 3.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 15° - 23° | 19° | 48 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| December | Good | 8° - 14° | 11° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
How to Get to Old Royal Palace
The Old Royal Palace (the Hellenic Parliament building) sits on Syntagma Square in central Athens. The easiest public transit is Syntagma Metro Station (Lines 2 and 3); exits from the station open directly onto the square, and the building is a very short walk (a minute or two) from the platforms.
From Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport drive about 30-45 minutes (roughly 35 km) via the Attiki Odos/A6 toward central Athens depending on traffic; taxis and airport buses also run to Syntagma.
Tips for Visiting Old Royal Palace
- Go early in the morning to photograph the Old Royal Palace's neoclassical façade on Syntagma Square and to experience the area before heavy tourist and traffic flows.
- Use Syntagma Metro station for the most direct, low‑walking‑distance access to the palace and surrounding sites rather than navigating surface traffic and bus congestion.
- Time your visit to coincide with guard ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the palace-there are regular hourly changes and a larger ceremonial changing that draws crowds, so arriving early secures a good viewpoint.