The architecture that prevails in the Greek towns of the 19th century - and mainly in Athens - is characterized by a wave of neoclassicism, a trend which is connected with the greater ambitions of Greek society of the period (continuity with the ancient past, archaization of the language, etc.). Eminent architects, some Greek, but mainly foreign, mark the period with public and private buildings.

Around the middle of the century, Christian Hansen (1803-1883) designed the University in collaboration with Fr. Gatner, and Theophilus Hansen (1813-1891) the Academy of Science and the National Library, thus forming the so-called 'Athenian Trilogy'. Christian Hansen had also participated in the planning of the palaces, while Theophilus had designed the Observatory of Athens near the Theseum.
Ernest Ziller (1837-1923) designed the Royal Theatre (the later National Theatre), the Municipal Theatre of Athens which was demolished in 1940-1941, the New Palaces (today's Presidential Megaron), the Army Academy and the town hall of Ermoupolis. It is worth mentioning some of Ziller's private constructions too: the Ilion Melathron, the residence of Heinrich Schliemann in Panepistimiou Street, which today shelters the Numismatic Museum, and the Megaron Stathatou in today's Vasilissis Sophias Avenue.

As for the Greek architects, Stamatis Kleanthis (1802-1862) constructed among others the two megara of the Duchess of Placenza, while Lyssandros Kaphtantzoglou (1811-1885) built the Arsakeion Megaron, the buildings of the Polytechnic School and many churches such as Agios Georgios Karytsis and Agia Eirini. Two more significant architects of the period were Dimitrios Zezos and Panagis Kalkos. Finally, many officers of the corps of engineers of the army contributed greatly to the constructions of the new city.

Although the neoclassical residence type was initially developed in the framework of the eponymous Athenian architecture of the 19th century, it was later formed as a style of popular architecture by unknown experts. With marble, clay decorative elements, and balcony supports with zoomorphic or anthemion patterns as its basic characteristics, the neoclassical residence can be found scattered throughout most towns, mainly in southern Greece, and constitutes one of the basic neohellenic architectural forms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.