We got up early and had breakfast from the food left for us in the apartment. We then left and walked into the city centre towards the Acropolis.
On the way we passed the site of Ancient Agora, and since it was free we decided to go in. It's a big site below the Acropolis, containing lots of ruins and a large temple.
We then walked on, passing the big metropolitan church, where the Sunday service was on. It was full to capacity inside, with standing room only.
A little further up the street we saw a very strange tiny church, also having a busy Sunday service, but above which had been built a modern hotel.
We knew there was a parade at the main Syntagma square at 11 so we made our way towards there. First we had a walk round the park, which had a pond with loads of terrapins.
By now we could hear the band coming down the street, so went out to watch it. It was a brass band and lots of the Greek soldiers doing their strange high-stepping march.
We watched them march round to the square and change the guard.
Then we arrived at the queue for the Acropolis Museum. We found out that it wasn't free till 5pm, but it was only 5 euros each so we decide to go in anyway.
There were loads of artefacts in it, could have spent hours there if you were into that sort of thing.
We walked up the hill a bit and went up the slippery steps on the Areopagus Rock, with great views over the city. In ancient times murder trials were held on this rock.
By now we needed some lunch so, being Sunday, we had to walk quite far to find somewhere. We had pitta gyros at Tylixto for 13 euros, very tasty.
After this we decided to go up to the Acropolis itself as it was free. By now there was no queue to get in, although it was very crowded inside.
We saw the Parthenon and all the other ruins, and had the great views from up there.
We could see the Acropolis Museum where we'd just been.
We then caught the Metro to the National Archaeological Museum. It had loads of Greek antiquities from all over the Greek empire, again it would have been fascinating if that was your thing. Still it was very interesting even for us, especially since it was free!
After this we walked to Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in Athens. It was quite far away so we stopped for a drink on the way.
We climbed to the church at the top, there were quite a lot of people there catching the sunset.
The views were amazing as the sun set over the distant mountains.
We then walked back into town, and found the Cafe Avessinia, where we got a table on their roof terrace with a view to the Acropolis.
Scott had smoked pork with prunes and Shirley had moussaka with spinach. 38 euros in total and very good. After this we walked home to the apartment.
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