A LONG WEEKEND IN...ATHENS

Head to Greece's ancient city of ruins for fascinating historic sights and a popular new food scene

- NICK REDMAN

SETTLE IN TO THE CITY

The Greek capital may be about all things ancient, but it has a thriving modern food, wine and cocktail scene that keeps it up late. On Friday nights, it’s especially energetic. A great place to start is the Blue Bird, a spot every first night in Athens should feature. Red wine slips down, earnest intellectuals rub shoulders with glamorous lookers, and it’s soon apparent that Athens has a stylish, vibrant side.

The food scene in Athens is overwhelming (in a good way), with many brilliant restaurants catering to all budgets. Absolutely unmissable is a souvlaki (a pitta bread wrap filled with either grilled pork or beef and salad), from Kostas. Grab one for lunch on the go, for the bargain price of €2.50 (£2.16). This place is a real Athens institution, so expect to queue during summer months as it gets busy at times. For something a little more refined, book a table at To Kafeneio in Plaka. It serves up hearty dishes as well as a fabulous Greek salad and good local wines, and the prices are reasonable, too.