Omonoia Square (Plateia Omonoias)

The basics

Set just north of Athens’s central market, Omonoia Square is a busy traffic hub, with major thoroughfares, bus and metro stops, and taxi stands all clustered here. The area surrounding the square is known for its bohemian vibe and cultural mix, with an array of affordable hotels, inexpensive restaurants and cafés, and a wide variety of shops.

The square is a popular stop on hop-on, hop-off bus tours and a jumping-off point for street art and food tours through the adjacent neighborhood of Exarchia. Other nearby attractions include the National Library, the National Archaeological Museum, AMOQA (Athens Museum of Queer Arts), the University of Athens, and the National Theater.

Things to know before you go

• Though vintage photos show Omonoia Square as a tree-lined space, today it’s more a transit point than a place to linger. There is no shade or public seating, and the lawn around the central fountain is off-limits.
• There’s a smattering of sidewalk restaurants and cafés across the ring road circling the square, plus a range of shops and other businesses.
• The square is paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs; be cautious of busy traffic when crossing the ring road to reach the square.

How to get there

Omonoia Square is one of Athens’ main transportation hubs, with a metro stop, a number of bus stops, a taxi stand, and five major city thoroughfares all converging here. It’s also a short walk from several top sights in the city, from the Athens Central Market to the south to the National Archaeological Museum to the north.

When to get there

This busy square bustles with traffic and passersby at all hours of day and night, though visitors should be particularly cautious in this sometimes rough-edged area after dark. With no shade to speak of, the square can be scorching in the midday summer heat; in the evening, the fountain is theatrically lit and makes for great photos.

Squares to see in Athens

Omonoia Square may be one of the busiest in Athens, but Greece’s capital city is peppered with public spaces that span from the grand to the charming that can be explored on walking, biking, or hop-on, hop-off bus tours. The most famous is Syntagma Square, home to the Greek Parliament and many other important political and cultural landmarks. Monastiraki Square is one of the most atmospheric in the city, where a popular flea market is held daily, while Agias Irinis Square and Iroon Square are both known for their bars, eateries, and cafés that come to life once the sun sets.