Can you really get a weekend in Athens for under £250pp? Including flights, food, drinks, sightseeing and a decent hotel? You can - if you know where to look...
Friday night
The first-night supper: Savour the buzzing street life over a hot pitta generously stuffed with chicken souvlaki, salad and yoghurt, with a couple of beers, at Ambrosia (Drakou 3-5; 00 30 210 922 0282; £11), just south of the Acropolis.
The serene sleep: Rest your head in the nearby Marble House (An Zinni 35; 00 30 210 922 8294, www.marblehouse.gr; doubles from £35, room only), a charming family-owned hotel complete with marble trimmings and a bargain £4.40 breakfast.
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Saturday
The dazzling art display: Explore the Acropolis Museum on Dionysiou Areopagitou (www.theacropolismuseum.gr; £4.40): it’s a tour de force filled with ancient treasures from the big hill – don’t miss the spectacular Parthenon gallery on the third floor.
The picnic lunch: Pick up tasty octopus salad (£6.50) from Marmita (Veikou 32) and follow the beautiful Archaeological Park Ancient Walk to Philopappou Hill for a picnic opposite the Parthenon.
The memorable stroll: Follow Socrates’ footsteps in the Ancient Agora, the heart of classical Athens (http://odysseus.culture.gr; £10.60 covers much of the city’s sites).
The big night out: Contemplate the illuminated Parthenon while feasting on delicate courgette fritters (£6), lamb in rosemary (£12) and a bottle of Amethystos wine (£20) at Strofi (Rovertou Galli 25; 00 30 210 921 4130, www.strofi.gr). Then head out for some live Greek blues at Rebitiki Istoria (Ippokratous 181; 00 30 210 642 4937; entrance and a drink £6.60; allow £10pp for taxis back at the end of the night).
Sunday
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The panoramic pitstop: Enjoy a late-morning caffeine hit on the rooftop cafe of the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art overlooking ancient Athens (www.benaki.gr; £8.40 including entry to the excellent museum).
The bargain hunt: Peruse modern Athens’s funkiest relics, from plastic Michael Jackson dolls to Byzantine chandeliers, at the Sunday-morning flea market in nearby Monastiraki.
The lazy Sunday lunch: Bag a table at the popular Thanasis (00 30 210 324 4705) just off Monastiraki Square. Hot lamb from the skewer, with roasted tomatoes, tzatziki (yoghurt-cucumber-garlic dip) and a beer will set you back £10.50.
The iconic sight: Spend your last afternoon at the glorious Parthenon, the most perfect of ancient buildings (http://odysseus.culture.gr; same ticket as the Ancient Agora).
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Get me there: EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) has weekend flights from Gatwick to Athens from £65 return. Or try Malév Airlines (www.malev.com).