This text is part of the article “And the Living is A-Z”, published in Greece-Is Athens, Summer 2018 Edition. By Paulina Björk Kapsalis, Maria Coveou, Nena Dimitriou, Alex King, Maria Korachai, Pagona Lipsati & Alexandra Tzavella.

One of the city’s oldest shopping streets makes for a nice stroll. As you walk along Aeolou from the Omonia area to Monastiraki, with the Acropolis in plain view, you’re surrounded by listed buildings – some dating to as far back as 1840. One of the oldest and most impressive is the National Bank, in front of which you can see a section of the ancient city wall displayed under glass below street level.

Other historic buildings on this pedestrianized road are now home to stores selling lingerie, handbags and traditional crafts. You’ll also come across the Church of Aghia Irini, a domed church built on the site of a Byzantine temple.

A lot of little street-food eateries have popped up on Aeolou lately. If you’re looking for a quick energy fix, why not do what Prince Charles did on his recent visit to the city: get yourself some traditional loukoumades (a Greek version of doughnut holes), topped with either honey and walnuts or chocolate sauce, from Lukumades (21 Aeolou), and enjoy them on your way towards Plaka.