The leafy suburb of Kifissia, at the end of the ISAP green line, boasts one of the most upscale shopping districts in the city, with a variety of designer and label goods for upper-crust Athenians.

Visit the Olive Tree Store on Andrianou Street in Athens for handcrafted wood carvings, bowls and household utensils made entirely of warm-coloured olive wood.

For something different and very Greek, try the traditional "Ravani" vanilla-flavoured, sheep's milk ice-cream, sold at selected pastry shops in Athens such as Koukas (104 Patission Street) or Kokkinakis (51a Exarhion Street).

The suburb of Halandri, easily accessible by bus, has a large, fully pedestrianised shopping district at its heart, with anything from boutiques to major international chains and a host of coffee shops and small restaurants to have lunch at.