Zappeion Conference & Exhibition Center
Zappeion Conference & Exhibition Center
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The area
Neighbourhood: Zappeion
How to get there
- Syntagma • 6 min walk
- Nomismatokopio • 10 min walk
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
283 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
115
Average
72
Poor
5
Terrible
2
PaulB
Maastricht, The Netherlands3,136 contributions
Feb 2020
The Zappeion is s usually used for meetings, ceremonies and exhibitions, both public and private and is located in the National Garden.
The building, in Neo-classical style, was used as a fencing sport hall during the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Admission to the entrance hall free.
The building, in Neo-classical style, was used as a fencing sport hall during the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Admission to the entrance hall free.
Written 4 March 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.
A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK2,768 contributions
Jul 2022
Zappeion was built in preparation for the first modern Olympics in 1896 and part of it was used at the event for fencing.
It is now a conference and exhibition centre but we did manage to pop in and see a limited part of the interior where the ceilings are very beautiful.
The fountain and gardens viewed from the steps are also worth a view or a stop for a lunchtime snack or picnic.
It is now a conference and exhibition centre but we did manage to pop in and see a limited part of the interior where the ceilings are very beautiful.
The fountain and gardens viewed from the steps are also worth a view or a stop for a lunchtime snack or picnic.
Written 20 July 2022
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.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,666 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Zappeion Hall is the centrepiece of the National Garden. Set amongst fountains and sculptures, it is a beautiful, neoclassical, 19th century building.
I was intrigued by its Olympics connection but mostly I was intrigued by the skull under the statue.
The skull belongs to Evangelos Zappas, who funded the Hall. An uber-wealthy Greek philanthropist and a visionary, he was one of the main founders of the modern Olympic Games. He was so dedicated to reviving the ancient Olympic Games that he sponsored the 1859, 1870, and 1875 Games in order to get the idea off the ground. Without his early input, the modern Games might not have come about.
A statue of Zappas stands outside the Hall, on the left. It looks unassuming but underneath it, his skull is buried (which I found a little disconcerting).
The Hall’s palatial design was re-worked several times and it was eventually opened amidst much pomp and ceremony in 1888.
It has hosted many significant events. During the 1896 Olympics, it hosted the main fencing events. In the 1906 Olympics it housed the Olympic Village (although these games are not recognised by the IOC today). Greece’s inclusion in the EU was formally signed here in 1981. Important political conferences and European summits have been held here. More recently, it was the Media Centre for the 2004 Olympics.
I’d recommend walking in through the main foyer to see the very lovely atrium. A central, circular space, it is enclosed by 32 columns and is open to the sky. It was totally unexpected and is very impressive.
From the Hall, meandering paths lead in several different directions so it’s a good central point to start exploring the gardens.
I was intrigued by its Olympics connection but mostly I was intrigued by the skull under the statue.
The skull belongs to Evangelos Zappas, who funded the Hall. An uber-wealthy Greek philanthropist and a visionary, he was one of the main founders of the modern Olympic Games. He was so dedicated to reviving the ancient Olympic Games that he sponsored the 1859, 1870, and 1875 Games in order to get the idea off the ground. Without his early input, the modern Games might not have come about.
A statue of Zappas stands outside the Hall, on the left. It looks unassuming but underneath it, his skull is buried (which I found a little disconcerting).
The Hall’s palatial design was re-worked several times and it was eventually opened amidst much pomp and ceremony in 1888.
It has hosted many significant events. During the 1896 Olympics, it hosted the main fencing events. In the 1906 Olympics it housed the Olympic Village (although these games are not recognised by the IOC today). Greece’s inclusion in the EU was formally signed here in 1981. Important political conferences and European summits have been held here. More recently, it was the Media Centre for the 2004 Olympics.
I’d recommend walking in through the main foyer to see the very lovely atrium. A central, circular space, it is enclosed by 32 columns and is open to the sky. It was totally unexpected and is very impressive.
From the Hall, meandering paths lead in several different directions so it’s a good central point to start exploring the gardens.
Written 7 November 2023
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.
REDMAN
Egaleo, Greece5,135 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
After Athens Classic Marathon and 42 kilometers, they had a reception there and we had the chance to explore this building complex for the first time from the inside.
Written 16 March 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.
andyh67186334
Coalville, UK10,908 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
I walked past this building on the way back from the Olympic Stadium.It's very impressive and gleams against a blue sky. You can go inside the entrance which is equally impressive.
Written 20 August 2023
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.
Vicky C
Athens, Greece103 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
Beautiful building, beautiful suroundings! The National Garden is right behind it and if the wheather is good it's a nice place to walk on a Sunday morning. There are usually excibitions inside and then you get the chance to see the interiors and the beautiful atrium. Plus there is a very nice restaurant cafe in the premices called Egli. Pricy but of very good service and quality.
Written 2 December 2012
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.
andyh67186334
Coalville, UK10,908 contributions
Jan 2022
I stumbled across Zappeion by accident to and from the Olympic Stadium. It's a conference centre but in the classical style. It was closed on my visit, but is located in a serene setting near formal gardens.
Written 5 February 2022
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.
JLC-mtl2015
Montreal, Canada373 contributions
Aug 2019
Zappeion is a beautiful yellow wide building in the National Garden sector near the Panathanaic Stadium. The choice of the location is not a mistake and was wisely designated for the proximity of the stadium in order to be used for the first modern Olympic Games. In fact, it seems to be the first building to be constructed specifically for the modern Olympic Games. While its vocation has changed over time and included political events, radio station, participate in different ways in a few Olympic Games (for press once, athletes at another time and fencing competition) it gives you an idea of the diversity and the potential of this building.
Today, its functions are mainly conference/Exhibits/meeting place where room as available to host public and private events.
We were allowed to just step in and see the atrium. Very nice.
The front area with the fountain is also pleasant.
Today, its functions are mainly conference/Exhibits/meeting place where room as available to host public and private events.
We were allowed to just step in and see the atrium. Very nice.
The front area with the fountain is also pleasant.
Written 1 November 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.
Elissa
Los Angeles, CA595 contributions
May 2019
This is a gorgeous building. My photo guide took me here and we photographed the outside with a wide angle lens. The inside is also beautiful. A visit here isn't too time consuming and you can easily go here before heading to some other ancient sites.
Written 28 September 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.
Paul B
Brighton, UK1,452 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Now used for conferences and exhibitions. They had an event when we visited but we were able to look around the entrance area and it’s an impressive neo-classical building inside and out and a surprise to find in the centre of the main park in Athens. Views out over the fountains.
Written 11 April 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.
si puo visitare all'interno o solo all'esterno?
Written 7 March 2019
Si può entrare. Chiude molto presto! Guarda il loro sito
Written 8 March 2019
Anyone know where I can find a list of movies at the open air cinema in Zappeion/Cine Aegli? Website isn't very helpful and nobody answers the phone.
Thank you
Written 4 August 2016
Anyone know where I can find a list of movies at the open air cinema in Zappeion/Cine Aegli? Website isn't very helpful and nobody answers the phone.
Thank you
Written 4 August 2016
Dear K2LA6,
I can't answer that questions since I wasn't there for any movie, just simply walk around the center....I apologize if I can't answer your question.
Regards
Kiltmaker
Written 12 August 2016
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