At a glance
11:00
The military parade from Vasilissis Amalias to Omonia. It lasts about an hour and a half.
24 March
On the eve, the school parade in the centre, with the Athens schools.
22 minutes
From Ioulianou 50 to Panepistimiou, on foot. Syntagma station is closed.
Public holiday
Archaeological sites and shops closed. The Acropolis Museum is open and free.
Where to watch the parade
The order is based on the time from Ioulianou 50. Times and streets are as announced in 2026; the parade follows the same route every year.
The Athens military parade
The parade starts at 11:00 at the junction of Vasilissis Amalias and Vasilissis Olgas, next to the National Garden. It passes in front of Parliament and the officials' stand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, continues along Panepistimiou and ends near Omonia. It lasts about an hour and a half.
Units of the Armed Forces and Security Corps march on foot, together with the military academies and the evzones of the Presidential Guard in their fustanellas. During the parade fighter jets and helicopters fly low over the city; the noise is heard all over the centre, and children usually love it.
The best spot from Ioulianou 50: Panepistimiou
Syntagma draws the biggest crowds. Panepistimiou is closer to us, and the pavements in front of the University Propylaea, the Academy and the National Library are wide. The parade passes there shortly after Syntagma. Arrive by 10:30.
- Ioulianou 50 → Patission: walk east to Patission and go down it towards Omonia.
- Omonia → Panepistimiou: the square is closed to cars from 06:00. From Omonia take Panepistimiou towards Syntagma.
- University Propylaea: about 1.7 km in total, 22 minutes.
🇬🇷 From Ioulianou 50 to Panepistimiou
About 1.7 km on foot. The parade passes along Panepistimiou towards Omonia. Tap the Propylaea to open the route in Google Maps.
At Syntagma, in front of Parliament
If you want to see the stand and the evzones in front of the Tomb, go to Vasilissis Amalias, between Syntagma and the National Garden. Syntagma station is closed from 08:00 until the end of the parade. Get off at Akropoli station (Line 2, change at Omonia) and walk to Vasilissis Olgas, or walk from Ioulianou 50, about 35 minutes. The view is better here, but people stand many rows deep from early on.
Closed roads: from 06:00 on the 25th almost all central streets close: Vasilissis Sofias, Irodou Attikou, Vasilissis Amalias, Panepistimiou, Stadiou, Akadimias, Patission, Athinas, Piraeos, Agiou Konstantinou, Omonia, Karaiskaki and Syntagma squares, Filellinon and Syngrou. From midday on the Monday before, some streets around Lenorman and Kolokynthou in Kolonos and around Kallirrois also close. Forget taxis or cars in the centre until midday; walk.
The units pass in front of the officials' stand, below Parliament, on Vasilissis Amalias.
The flag bearers open the parade with the historic flags of the units.
People stand on the pavements behind the barriers. Arrive early for the front row.
Third photo: Skylax30, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The school parade on the eve
On the eve, 24 March, the Athens schools parade. In 2026 the streets around Syntagma closed from 10:00: Vasilissis Amalias, Panepistimiou, Vasilissis Olgas and Vasileos Georgiou. In front walk the flag bearers, the students with the best grades, followed by classes in white shirts and blue trousers or skirts. Parents stand on the pavements. On 25 March school parades take place in the other municipalities of Attica.
Athens, 24 March 2009. A teacher walks in front of each school.
The parade uniform is simple: white on top, blue below.
Photos: Christos Loufopoulos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
The day's programme
| Time (2026) | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise | 21-gun salute and bands in the streets of the centre | Lycabettus, centre |
| 08:00 | Raising of the flag | Acropolis |
| 10:00 | Doxology | Athens Cathedral |
| 10:55 | Wreath-laying by the President of the Republic | Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
| 11:00 | Military parade | Amalias – Syntagma – Panepistimiou – Omonia |
| At sunset | Lowering of the flag, with a 21-gun salute from Lycabettus | Acropolis |
The Lycabettus salute is heard all over the city. If you hear it in the morning from the apartment, don't worry: it's the holiday cannons.
What Greece celebrates on 25 March
25 March is the anniversary of the Revolution of 1821, with which the Greeks began the struggle for an independent state after almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. Greek independence was recognised internationally in 1830. In 2021 the country celebrated 200 years since the Revolution.
The date became linked with the religious feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin, which falls on the same day. That is why Athens Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Annunciation, also celebrates, and its doxology is led by the Archbishop. For Greeks the day is a celebration of independence and of family, with flags on the balconies, children in traditional costume at the parades and a family meal at midday.
The evzones line up on the Acropolis for the raising of the flag at 08:00.
Salt cod with skordalia
25 March always falls during Lent. The Annunciation is one of the few days when the fast allows fish, and the traditional dish of the day is bakaliaros, salt cod cut into pieces and fried in batter, with skordalia made of potato or stale bread, garlic and olive oil. Most Athens tavernas have it on the menu that day. Book a table for lunch, after the parade.
The dish of 25 March, served on 25 March 2010.
A purée with lots of garlic and olive oil. It also goes well with beetroot.
Photos: Klearchos Kapoutsis (CC BY 2.0), Amymoni (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.
What is open on 25 March
25 March is a national holiday. Archaeological sites, monuments and Ministry of Culture museums are closed, the Acropolis included. The Acropolis Museum stays open and entry is free all day. Banks, public services, most shops and the big supermarkets are closed. Tavernas, cafés, bakeries and kiosks work.
Tip: if you are travelling around the 25th, plan the Acropolis for the day before or after. On the morning of the 25th watch the parade, at midday eat salt cod, and in the afternoon go to the Acropolis Museum with free entry, when the roads have reopened.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the parade?
At 11:00, and it lasts about an hour and a half. It starts on Vasilissis Amalias, passes Syntagma and Panepistimiou and ends near Omonia.
Where is the best spot?
For those staying at Ioulianou 50, Panepistimiou at the Propylaea: a 22-minute walk, wide pavements, fewer people than at Syntagma.
Is the Acropolis open?
No. The archaeological sites are closed on 25 March. The Acropolis Museum is open with free entry.
Does the metro run?
Yes, except Syntagma station, which closes from 08:00 until the end of the parade. Trains pass through without stopping.
When is the school parade?
In Athens on the eve, 24 March, in the morning. On 25 March school parades take place in the other municipalities of Attica.
What are the gunshots in the morning?
The 21-gun salute from the battery on Lycabettus. It is fired at dawn, at the doxology and at sunset.
What do we eat on 25 March?
Fried salt cod with skordalia. Most tavernas serve it that day.
— Kathy
