Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
4.5
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: 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 • 5 min walk
  • Nomismatokopio • 9 min walk
See what travellers are saying
  • KC30000
    England, United Kingdom96 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth visiting if in central Athens
    Visited as part of a day spent in central Athens. The tomb is in front of the Greek parliament building and by Syntagma Square. We were fortunate to arrive at the hourly changing of the guard which in itself is worth a watch. If visiting Athens then this should be on your list, it is right in the heart of the capital and Greek society. We were also treated to an organised demonstration outside of the parliament building!
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 June 2023
  • k s
    Dore, United Kingdom317 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arrive early
    Went to watch the ceremonial changing of the guard - every Sunday at 11am . Was interesting. If you want to get near the front then be there for 10.30 latest. It says it it at 11 but the parade goes past about 20 mins before then and it is over at 11 . Very busy.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 September 2023
  • Katie G
    Indianapolis, Indiana7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit
    The changing of the guard at the Parliament happens every hour on the hour. It ceremony does not take long, maybe 10 minutes. It is definitely worth stopping to see. My daughter just saw the changing of the guard at Arlington cemetery last month with her 8th grade class so this provided a different perspective and a good conversation about how other countries observe these traditions and honor their soldiers. We are glad that we stopped.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Ali921
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom1,502 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Get here for changing of the guard
    The tomb itself is not that impressive. What is ? The changing of the guard. Get here a good 45min beforehand to get the best view, It's not to be missed. Line up on the left hand side as you look at the tomb. No one is allowed on the right and those facing the tomb are pushed back across the road
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 October 2023
  • Helena xo
    Bradford, United Kingdom101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting stop on a landmark / history trip.
    After reading a few Athens guides online and articles advising the best places to visit to get some sightseeing done the tomb of the unknown solider was highlighted quite a few times. Although it will be a short visit and a photo opportunity it was a great stop by to see this historic piece and learn about its background. The tomb is guarded by the army as well as honorary guards who stand watch over the tomb at all times whilst providing and sharing their interesting routine to honour the tomb. You cannot get up close and personal to the tomb however it is a great piece of history to visit as well as to get a couple of photos and mark this off your itinerary.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,308 reviews
Excellent
652
Very good
444
Average
195
Poor
15
Terrible
3

elmooo
yorkshire14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
The tomb is easy to locate and worth planning into your day on the hour to watch the changing of the guard. Really interesting to watch and worth getting there a little early to get a good spot at the front.
Written 15 February 2024
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.

Helena xo
Bradford, UK101 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
After reading a few Athens guides online and articles advising the best places to visit to get some sightseeing done the tomb of the unknown solider was highlighted quite a few times. Although it will be a short visit and a photo opportunity it was a great stop by to see this historic piece and learn about its background.
The tomb is guarded by the army as well as honorary guards who stand watch over the tomb at all times whilst providing and sharing their interesting routine to honour the tomb.

You cannot get up close and personal to the tomb however it is a great piece of history to visit as well as to get a couple of photos and mark this off your itinerary.
Written 12 February 2024
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.

Mia1010M
London, UK244 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
A must visit if you are in the area the guards are very professional nice to see the if you are lucky and see the chance you will be impressed
Written 22 January 2024
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.

Richard M
Hampstead Norreys, UK871 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Always a must see, the tomb of the unkown soldier always reminds me of what was given by so many. It sits in front of the impressive Greek parliament. It is guarded 24/7 by the Efzones who march back and forth in their incredible uniforms. The movements all have meaning and are carried out with incredible military precision. Wonderful.
Written 26 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.

Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,565 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
The Greek Monument of the Unknown Soldier is located at the front of the Parliament building. A national shrine, it is guarded 24/7 by the elite Ezvones guards.
A large wall features a bas relief of an ancient Greek soldier, who has fallen in battle. He wears his helmet and his shield is by his side but he is otherwise naked and lies vulnerable and exposed. The tomb is behind the panel. It’s very sombre.
Bronze plaques on the wall list the modern battles where Greek soldiers have fought. They start with the Balkan Wars and the most recent is the Cypriot War of 1974.
Ancient quotations from Thucydides are inscribed on either side of the monument. On the right, it reads, ‘The whole earth is the tomb of famous men’. On the left is a reference to a funeral procession at the end of the Peloponnesian Wars. Thucydides describes a single empty cypress coffin that was included among the other coffins, “They also carry a single empty litter decked with a pall for all whose bodies are missing”.
The best time to see the Monument is when the changing of the guard ceremony takes place. The main ceremony is at 11am on a Sunday but a smaller version takes place on the hour hour, every day. We weren’t in Athens on a Sunday, so went mid-week which was still very impressive and had the advantage of a much, much smaller crowd.
Written 11 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.

beth ann k
Halstead, KS1,793 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Definitely something to see, as the uniforms and shoes are so different, as is their walk. If you're not on the front, it gets a little hard to see.
Written 31 October 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.

Ali921
Edinburgh, UK1,502 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
The tomb itself is not that impressive. What is ? The changing of the guard. Get here a good 45min beforehand to get the best view, It's not to be missed. Line up on the left hand side as you look at the tomb. No one is allowed on the right and those facing the tomb are pushed back across the road
Written 26 October 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.

Katie G
Indianapolis, IN7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
The changing of the guard at the Parliament happens every hour on the hour. It ceremony does not take long, maybe 10 minutes. It is definitely worth stopping to see. My daughter just saw the changing of the guard at Arlington cemetery last month with her 8th grade class so this provided a different perspective and a good conversation about how other countries observe these traditions and honor their soldiers. We are glad that we stopped.
Written 18 October 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.

Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,693 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Solo
Always love to visit each capital city I go to "tomb of the unknown soldier" each country has it's on unique way of honoring their war heroes.

Athens does it really well, located just off the main square and very easy to find, each hour they change guards which is interesting to see.
Written 28 September 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.

Razorfish
Little Rock, AR3,866 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in front of the Parliament building in Athens. The changing of the guard is an impressive and solemn ceremony.
Written 19 September 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.

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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Athens - Tripadvisor

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