Monastiraki Flea Market

The market spreads west from Monastiraki square through Ifestou and Pandrossou streets to Avissynias Square, where the genuine antique trade sits: old brass, records, film cameras, worn icons, furniture, military surplus and the honest rubbish that makes a flea market worth walking. On Sunday morning the trade spills into the surrounding streets and up towards Ermou, and the crowd becomes serious, buyers and browsers shoulder to shoulder until early afternoon. On other days many shops are still open but the improvised stalls thin out and the tourist end of the market, leather sandals, T-shirts and mass-produced souvenirs along Adrianou, dominates. The whole thing sits under the Acropolis, which appears at the end of half the streets.

What you actually see

• Avissynias Square - the antique dealers' courtyard at the heart of the market.
• Ifestou and Pandrossou streets - the main shopping lanes, from junk to souvenirs.
• The Sunday spread - stalls filling the surrounding streets before midday.
• Acropolis views - the rock appearing above the rooftops from several corners.

When to go

Sunday between nine and one is the full experience. Weekday mornings are calmer for actual antique hunting. Evenings are more about bars and food than trade.

Honest expectations

Much of what is sold near the square is ordinary tourist merchandise, and prices start high for obvious visitors, so haggling is expected in the antique end. It is crowded and pickpockets work the Sunday press. Genuine finds exist but require patience.

Nearby

Hadrian's Library and the Ancient Agora are on the doorstep; Psyrri and its bars lie north.