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Partner EuropeUpClose takes us on a walkabout in Athens.

Athens, Greece Zeus Temple, by Titanas

The article very aptly describes the sheer atmosphere when exiting the subway in central Athens, ‘a sprawling metropolis full of ancient energy.’ You truly have to be there to feel the pulse of this city which just over two thousand years ago invented democracy, theater and many aspects of modern civilisation we consider as givens.

A good place to start the walk is Plaka, associated with tourism but also a charming neighbourhood full of subterranean tavernas serving the first crop of each year’s retsina (wine) with seasonal mezes at small bistro-type tables larking between pungent barrels. The Plaka area also houses a multiple of niche clothes boutiques, and mini-museums and temples mingle with modern apartmernt blocks. If the allure of Plaka does not cut your walk short there and then, you will find the city easy to navigate by foot, thus also avoiding traffic jams and taxi fares!

Acropolis, the monolithic hill on which stands the most famous temple to the Olympian gods, and also a general meeting place for ancient Greeks to discuss philosophy and govenment under the Attica sun, is a short distance away. There now exists an ultra-modern museum that is, rather sadly, still awaiting the return of the Elgin marbles.

A short walk through the ancient agora (market) can lead to Monastiraki. This is the distict housing a well-known flea-market, a must-visit selling everything from tacky souvenirs to quality fabrics for that bespoke suit – with traditional tailors lurking not a million miles away!

This walk can take a morning or several days – up to you! It can include shopping, visiting the Acropolis, eating and drinking at different times of the day or evening, and so on. For a real treat, find the highest vantage point taverna and enjoy unadulterated views of the Acropolis above and the city below, while sampling retsina out of earthenwatre cups. Then you may realize just how civilized these ancient Greeks must have been and philosophise whether we have moved forwards or backwards since then!

Once you’ve had your fill of the city centre, consider a day trip to ancient Corinth. And, since Athens is only one of 100+ cheap weekend destinations, do get on with that packing!

Check out the best Athens hotel deals on the HotelsCombined metasearch.