Athens more than just a thing of the past

There’s much more to the capital of Greece than ancient sites.

Despite suffering as a result of Greece’s economic meltdown, Athens is still a superb city to visit.

And with cheap flights with easyJet from Edinburgh, an enviable climate and prices that are cheaper than ever when you get there, what’s not to like?

In recent years a lot of money has been spent on improving the tourism offering, with a fine example being the Archaeological Promenade.

It’s a tree-lined, pedestrianised walkway that skirts the base of the Acropolis and links all the city’s major archaeological sites.

When I visited a few weeks ago I couldn’t get over the number of restaurants offering excellent-value set menus, or doing deals such as a free carafe of wine and dessert with any meal.

Hubbie and I splashed €35 at The Old Tavern of Psaras and had a delicious meal of traditional Greek food, from taramasalata through moussaka and ending with baklava, all washed down with the local vino.

This restaurant is in the old Plaka and well worth the climb up the steps or hill. Candle-lit and with traditional music, it’s a little gem.

Our concierge put us on to it as I specifically asked for a place that wouldn’t be packed with tourists and was good value. This ticked all the boxes.

You can’t go to Athens and not visit the Acropolis. Located on the ‘sacred rock’ it is crowned by three temples from the 5th Century BC, and receives a staggering three million visitors per year.

Its largest and most impressive temple, the Parthenon, is supported by 46 Doric columns and considered classical architecture’s most influential building.

The stunning revamped Acropolis Museum opened in 2009 after a spend of a staggering £130m. It receives more than one million visitors a year and is the best €5 you’ll spend.

There are collections from the 5th Century BC, including friezes, statues and temples it’s a superb museum with totally unique pieces.

In ancient times the Agora was the city’s main marketplace, as well as its political, administrative and cultural heart. This was the very cornerstone of democracy, and where Socrates and St Paul made their public speeches.

Today it is coarse grazing land dotted with olive trees and strewn with fallen columns. Near the entrance, the 2nd Century BC Stoa of Attalos houses the Agora Museum, displaying finds from the site.

For a great panorama over the city take in the view from Mount Lycabettus. This is the city’s highest vantage point (295m), capped by a tiny, whitewashed church, a restaurant and caf. Walk up on the steep path or if that sounds too strenuous take the funicular from Ploutarchou Street in Kolonaki.

But there’s more to Athens than ancient sites.

Modern Athens has a vibrant nightlife scene, from the newly regenerated districts of Psirri and Gazi, with their modern tavernas, slick bars and clubs, to the trendy bars of up-market Kolonaki.

I know the Plaka is touristy but it’s delightful. This is Athens’ oldest residential quarter and it retains a quaint village atmosphere.

Once the cruise passengers return to their ships you can get a chance to admire its cobbled streets which are lined with pastel-coloured mansions, small family-owned hotels, souvenir shops and bustling tavernas.

In this area you’ll find the Museum of Traditional Greek Instruments, the Museum of Greek Folk Art and the 12th-Century Byzantine Little Mitropolis Church. The Metro station is Monastiraki or Acropolis.

Air France flies to Athens via Paris. Fares start at £215 return. See airfrance.co.ukThe easyJet Holidays website offers three nights bed and breakfast at the three star Ionis hotel in Athens, departing on April 3, 2014, from Edinburgh for £199 per person.

To book visit easyJet.com/holidays or call 0843 104 1000.

Prices include flights and accommodation and are based on two sharing unless otherwise stated, but exclude transfers and baggage. Some payment methods attract a handling fee.