Omonoia Square

The center of Athens will be mostly closed to traffic on Wednesday (May 1) due to announced rallies related to Labor Day.

Restrictions will be implemented gradually as o 9.30 a.m. in the streets around Propylea on Panepistimiou Street, Omonia Square, Syntagma Square, and roads leading to and from Panepistimiou and Stadiou Streets.

As night descends, Omonia Square bustles with activity, its circular junction adorned with the vibrant hues of yellow taxis, amid the constant flow of cars and pedestrians. The glow of the fountain and the imposing facades of the surrounding hotels add to the scene's allure. However, in the adjacent side streets, a somber ambiance prevails.

Emergency traffic measures will be implemented in downtown Athens, starting at noon on Thursday, due to a rally that to be held by student associations and educational unions against the bill for the establishment of private universities.

The historic Titania Hotel, near Omonia Square in central Athens, has just changed hands: H Hotels, of the Hatzilazarou family, has spent 74 million euros on acquiring the famous unit from London and Regional in the Greek group's first acquisition outside the island of Rhodes.

Police will implement emergency traffic measures as thousands of farmers from different parts of the country descend on the Greek capital in their tractors on Tuesday.

The Commercial Triangle of Athens is defined as the central area of the Municipality of Athens, flanked by Stadiou, Mitropoleos and Athinas streets, with the vertices of the imaginary "triangle" being Syntagma, Monastiraki and Omonia squares. In addition, it includes the squares of Klathmonos and Kolokotronis on Stadiou, as well as Kotzias Square on Athinas.

Gradual road closures will come into effect ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising, to be commemorated with a big rally across the city centre on Friday.

A middle-aged German couple walk along Tritis Septemvriou Street towards Omonia Square. Strolling nonchalantly along, they talk and laugh in an animated manner, seeming to enjoy the hot Athenian sun. If the Omonia Square fountains weren't in the way, they'd be able to see the Acropolis. The man is carrying a backpack and an expensive-looking camera.

Construction activity in the center of Athens is booming, signaling a positive outlook for the Greek capital and raising expectations for its future. This column has previously reported on the emergence of fresh facades in Athens, gradually unveiled in central areas where post-war era buildings are being reconstructed.

The palm trees that lined central Panepistimiou Street from the turning to Voukourestiou Streets until Amerikis Street in central thens have been uprooted by municipal workers due to the work for the Grand Walk project.