On Wednesday, a nationwide strike grounded flights, trains and ferries in Greece as thousands rallied in Athens to protest austerity plans aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis that has disturbed the Euro zone.

Holding banners that read "Markets should pay for the crisis", protesters congregated ahead of a march to Parliament against a public wage freeze, tax hikes and the increase in the retirement age.

Yannis Panagopoulos, Head of the Private Sector Union GSEE, said, "Today, Europe's eyes are turned on us, today we are demonstrating for hope and future... to cancel the measures".

Most shops were open, although some banks were shut down. The Athens Stock Exchange was operating normally. And the Athens Acropolis was shut down.

Meanwhile, disruption to public transport left the crowds at bus stops bemoaning.

Greeks are prone to take to the streets in demonstrations that can turn violent.

Opinion polls show most Greeks want to give the Government time.

In central Athens, some said they saw no reason to strike.

"We ask the government not to give in to the desires of the markets, to set people's needs as a priority and adopt a mix of economic and social policies that won't lead to recession but to jobs", said GSEE's Panagopoulos.