Today, Wednesday, October 28, the national anniversary celebrations are bringing significant disruptions to travel across Greece, as military and student parades are accompanied by vehicle traffic restrictions and changes to public transport services. At the same time, severe weather conditions expected in several regions have prompted local authorities to cancel student parades, with the safety of students and citizens as the primary concern.
In the capital, the most significant measures are being implemented around Syntagma Square and the streets of the historic city center, while in Thessaloniki, the military parade along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue is requiring extensive traffic interventions. In addition, metro stations and tram lines will operate under temporary restrictions.
Athens: Road closures for the student parade
Traffic police measures in central Athens are being gradually implemented from the early morning hours, in order to facilitate the official Te Deum service and the student parade in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The first traffic suspension begins at 06:00 and affects Mitropoleos Street along its entire length, as well as the perpendicular side streets up to the first parallel road. This measure will remain in effect until the Te Deum ceremony concludes.
From 09:00, restrictions expand to major arterial roads across the capital and will remain in place until the student parade is complete.
Specifically, traffic is suspended along Vasilissis Amalias Avenue and Panepistimiou Street in their entirety, including all perpendicular side streets up to the first parallel road.
On Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, restrictions apply in both directions, along the stretch from Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue to Panepistimiou Street. Syngrou Avenue will also be closed, from Athanassiou Diakou to Dionyssiou Areopagitou, along with the entire length of Athanassiou Diakou Street and its side streets up to the first parallel road.
Drivers are urged to avoid the city center and choose alternative routes, as traffic will be gradually restored based on instructions from the traffic police.
Athens metro: Syntagma station closed from 08:00
Changes are also expected for metro commuters, as Syntagma station will remain closed from 08:00, following an order issued by the Hellenic Police.
According to Athens Urban Transport Organisation (STASY), trains will continue to pass through the station but will not stop to serve passengers.
The station will reopen once the anniversary celebrations have concluded and clearance has been granted by the police authorities.
Those wishing to travel to Syntagma will need to use other stations in the network and continue on foot where possible.
Tram: Changes to lines 6 and 7
Temporary modifications are also in effect across the tram network, with two lines operating on shortened routes during the celebrations.
On line 6, which connects Pikrodafni with Syntagma, trams will terminate at the “Fix” stop from 08:00. Consequently, services will run exclusively on the Pikrodafni – Fix – Pikrodafni route.
Similarly, on line 7, from 09:00, the temporary terminus will be the “SEF” stop, with services operating between Asklipiio Voulas and SEF.
Normal operation of both lines will be restored after the events conclude and traffic restrictions are lifted.
Buses and trolleys: Sunday schedule and temporary diversions
Due to the public holiday, OASA buses and trolleys will run on a Sunday timetable.
In areas where student parades are taking place, route changes and possible stop relocations are expected, depending on the traffic interventions in place.
Passengers can obtain timetable information through the OASA information center at 11185.
What time does the student parade start in Athens?
The student parade in the capital is scheduled for 11:00, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with the participation of student delegations, scouts, guides, and people with disabilities.
The official program begins at 06:47 with salute volleys from Lycabettus Hill and a morning hymn performed by the bands of the Armed Forces and Security Corps.
At 08:00, the Greek flag will be raised at the Acropolis, while the official Te Deum service is scheduled for 10:00 at Athens Cathedral, in the presence of Archbishop Ieronymos.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will follow at 10:40, ahead of the start of the student parade.
Thessaloniki: Traffic regulations for the military parade
Significant restrictions are also in place in Thessaloniki, where the military parade along Megalou Alexandrou Avenue is expected to begin at 11:00.
Measures include stopping and parking prohibitions, as well as successive traffic suspensions on roads in the city center and along the waterfront.
From 03:00, stopping and parking are prohibited on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, 30is Oktovriou Street, Stratigou Napoleontos Zerva Street, and Gkyzi Street, along their entire lengths.
The same restrictions apply on Grigoriou Papandreou Street, from Megalou Alexandrou to Mitropolitou Kydonion; on Pavlou Mela Street, from Lefkos Pyrgos Square to Tsimiski; on G’ Septemvriou Street, from Megalou Alexandrou to Stratou Avenue; and on Ethnikis Amynis Street, from Tsimiski to Nikis Avenue.
On Agias Triados Street, between Megalou Alexandrou and Vasileos Georgiou, the stopping and parking prohibition will remain in effect until 15:00.
From 05:00, due to the positioning of motorized military units, traffic is suspended on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, Grigoriou Papandreou Street (between Megalou Alexandrou and Mitropolitou Kydonion), and 30is Oktovriou Street.
Additional traffic interventions will begin gradually from 07:00, affecting Markou Botsari, Karaiskaki, Kallidopoulou, 25is Martiou, Petrou Syndika, Paraskevopoulou, Chatzi, and 28is Oktovriou Streets, on the sections connecting Vasilissis Olgas Avenue with Megalou Alexandrou Avenue.
Restrictions also include Stratigou Kakavou Street, Pavlou Mela Street from Lefkos Pyrgos to Tsimiski, Soulioti Street from Kallidopoulou to Stratigou Kakavou, and Ethnikis Amynis Street from Tsimiski to Nikis Avenue.
Additional regulations are planned for sections of Kallidopoulou, Karaiskaki, Michail Psellou, and Ifigeneias Streets, while the traffic police may implement further interventions if conditions require.
Thessaloniki metro: Six stations closed from 11:00
Six Thessaloniki metro stations will be temporarily suspended from 11:00 as part of security measures for the military parade.
The stations that will close are: New Railway Station, Dimokratias, Venizelou, Agias Sofias, Sintrivani, and Panepistimio.
The operating company THEMA has announced that normal service will resume once restrictions are lifted by the Hellenic Police.
Traffic interventions in the city center and along the waterfront boulevard are also expected to affect several bus lines in the city.
Thessaloniki: Ban on outdoor public gatherings until 21:00
In addition to traffic regulations, a ban on outdoor public gatherings has been announced in a designated area of central Thessaloniki, from 09:00 to 21:00.
The measure covers the area bounded by Nikis Avenue and Ethnikis Amynis, Agiou Dimitriou, Steliou Dragoumanou, Grigoriou Koloniari, Agion Panton, Giannitson, Ioannis Koletti, 26is Oktovriou, Karatasou, and Navarchou Kountourioti Streets.
According to the police decision, the ban is linked to the need to protect public safety and prevent serious disruptions to traffic and the normal functioning of the city.
October 28: Where have student parades been cancelled?
Deteriorating weather conditions have thrown anniversary celebrations into disarray in several parts of Greece.
The decisions of the relevant authorities primarily concern student parades, as forecasts of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential hailstorms have raised serious concerns about the safety of participants.
In Magnesia and the Northern Sporades, student parades have been cancelled by decision of the Governor of Thessaly, Dimitris Kouretas. A similar decision has been taken for the Municipality of Zagora – Mouresi.
In the Cyclades, student parades will not take place in the Regional Units, with the cancellation also extending to the participation of clubs and other organizations.
In the Dodecanese, events have been affected by the elevated risk of severe rainfall and flooding, resulting in the cancellation of student parades.
In Evia, cancellations have been announced in Chalkida and in the municipalities of Kymi – Aliveri, Mantoudi – Limni – Agia Anna, Dirfyon – Messapion, Eretria, and Skyros.
Specifically in Chalkida, according to the plan that has been announced, only the Parade Company of the Infantry School is expected to march.
In Attica, the parade in the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios has been cancelled due to adverse weather forecasts.
Regarding the military parade in Volos, the final decision was still pending at the time of the latest available announcements and was to be made based on the development of weather conditions.
Severe weather: Red warning for Thessaly, Evia, and the Dodecanese
The parade cancellations are taking place amid heightened weather alerts, with the National Meteorological Service warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms across a large part of the country.
For today, Wednesday, October 28, a red warning is in effect for Magnesia, Larissa, the Sporades, and Evia, where severe weather conditions are expected to persist well into the night. The Dodecanese are also under the same level of warning.
An orange warning has been issued for the islands of the eastern Aegean until late evening, as well as for eastern Central Greece, with emphasis on Fokida, Fthiotida, and Viotia.
In Attica and the western and northern Cyclades, the most intense weather phenomena are expected until the morning hours, with isolated hailstorms not ruled out.
Meanwhile, the Civil Protection authority has activated heightened readiness measures, with a “Red Code” mobilization in Attica and parts of the Aegean.
The relevant services are monitoring the development of the situation, as further modifications or cancellations of anniversary events throughout the day cannot be ruled out.
For this reason, citizens planning to travel or attend a parade are urged to stay informed through official announcements from their municipalities, regional authorities, public transport operators, and the Hellenic Police.
