Shopping in Athens

When it comes to shopping, Athens is a modern, vibrant city offering a cosmopolitan shopping experience. You will find everything from handcrafted local goods to international designer labels.

 

Syntagma Square and Ermou Street

The centre of the city is Syntagma Square and that is a good place to start. The pedestrian-only Ermou Street is a shopping paradise. Be sure to also wander around the nearby streets of Voulis, Mitropoleos, Perikleous, Praxitelous and Nikis.

As with many cities in the world, the big international brand names are readily available however you will still find local Greek designers – especially in the Kolonaki district.

 

Kolonaki

Kolonaki is a very wealthy, upmarket part of Athens and here you will find many designer boutiques. Alongside Versace, Lanvin, Armani and Gucci, you will also find many Greek designers including Loukia and Orsalia Partheni. Kolonaki is an expensive neighbourhood but if you don’t want to buy it is wonderful to go window shopping or sit in one of the elegant cafes and watch the passing parade.

The most fashionable shopping streets in Kolonaki are Tsakalof, Kanari, Skoufa, Anagnostopoulou,Skoufa, Voukourestiou and the main street of Patriarchou Ioakeim. It is one of the best places to shop for upmarket men’s and women’s fashion, the latest fashionable shoes and exquisite jewellery.

 

Kiffisia

The leafy northern suburb of Kiffisia is another wealthy, upmarket area offering designer boutiques, fine dining and luxurious day spas. It is also well-known for its wonderful pastry shops. Kiffisiat can be reached by bus from Syntagma Square, or it is the last stop on the Kifissia-Piraeus Metro line.

 

Theseion and Psirri

These two trendy areas are known for their art galleries, antiques, vintage shops and nightlife.

 

Plaka and Monastiraki

Shopping in Plaka and Monastiraki is much more mainstream. Here you will find affordable souvenirs and traditional Greek goods – handmade leather bags and sandals, folk art, rugs, linen, pottery, jewellery. There are street markets everyday but the biggest is every Sunday in Monastiraki.
 

Flea Markets

The Monastiraki Flea Market on Sundays is a must for those who love a bargain. Everything you can imagine – and more – is sold at this famous market.

 

 

 

 

 

Athens Department Stores

Attica is one of the largest and most modern department stores in Athens. It is located close to Syntagma Square and is part of the Citylink shopping mall which stands on a city block bordered by Panepistimiou, Voukourestiou, Stadiou and Amerikis Streets. For more information refer to the Attica Department Store website.

Hondos Centers - chain of local department stores selling quality cosmetics, toiletries, fashion, home appliances and accessories – everything you would expect to find in a department store. Its flagship store is on Ormonia Square.

Minion – a large Greek department store where you will quality local and international fashion, homewares, cosmetics, books – everything you would expect. There is an excellent souvenir department on the ground floor.

Lambropoulos is another local department store that occupies the same building as BHS (British Home Stores). Lambropoulos is respected for the quality of its merchandise. Everything you would expect to find in a department store is available – fashion- wear, household items, music, books, office supplies, etc. Minion is a few minutes walk from Omonia Square and is opposite the National Archaeological Museum in Patisson Street.

The Mall in the suburb of Maroussi opened at the end of 2005 and was the first shopping/leisure centre in Athens. It has over 200 shops, 25 restaurants, and a cinema complex. The Mall is accessible via the Attiki Odos motorway and the Neratziotissa metro station (Line 1).

Although not a department store, it is worth mentioning Eleftheroudakis, the largest bookstore in Greece. It occupies 8 floors and is located on 17 Panepistimiou Street, near Syntagma Square. There is a large section of books in English – many of them Greek books that have been translated.

 

Museum Gift Shops

Some of Athens Museums have excellent gift shops. The National Archaeological Museum Gift Shop has a good selection of gift ideas including replicas of ancient artefacts.

The Benaki Museum Gift Shops in Kolonaki and Pireos have an interesting selection of gifts including ceramics, prints, jewellery, books and quality replicas of ancient artefacts.

 

Produce Markets

For something different, visit the main produce market of Athens – the Athens Central Market on Athinas Street. This is a fascinating area where you will find meat, fish, fruit and vegetable markets. There are shops specialising in olives, cheese, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Be sure to wander down Evripidou Street to see the colourful herbs and spices on sale. The Central Market is open Monday to Saturday, 8am – 6pm.

Each neighbourhood in Athens has their own farmers market one day of the week. The day varies from place to place but it is worth finding out from the locals so that you can go along and be part of the Athenian way of life. Buy some fresh bread, fruit and cheese and make a picnic for lunch.

 

 

 

Shopping Hours in Athens

The shopping hours in Athens are generally:

09:00-16:00 Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
09:00-13:30, 17:30- 21:00 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Some shops still close for siesta. Department stores and most of the tourist shops stay open during siesta time.

In Summer, there are extended shopping hours. Shops usually open from 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm Saturday, and are closed on Sunday. Some of the big department stores still trade on Sunday as do many of the tourist shops.

 

Tax Free Shopping

Some shops will offer tax free shopping to overseas visitors – don’t forget to ask as the savings can be significant. Alternatively, keep your shopping receipts and present them at Customs at the airport to receive a tax refund.

 

The Annual Sales in Athens

You may be lucky enough to be visiting Athens during the sales when you can expect discounts of around 50%. Sales are usually held in January and August every year.

 

What to Buy in Athens

Greece has its own shoe manufacturing industry and you will see scores of shoe shops in the streets of Athens - from hand-made sandals in Monastriki to the latest fashion in shoes in Kolonaki and Ermou Street.

For genuine traditional Greek art and craft, shop at the Centre of Hellenic Tradition, Anoya and the National Welfare Organisation, all in the Plaka.

For quality jewellery, shop at the jewellery shops along Voukourestiou.