Shopping · Athens · Greece
Shopping in Athens
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Athens shopping runs from the flea-market lanes of Monastiraki and the chain stores of Ermou Street to Kolonaki's designer boutiques. The most rewarding buys are food, natural cosmetics, handmade sandals and replica museum pieces. Best souvenirs: Leather sandals, Olive oil, honey and herbs and Mastiha products.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Leather sandals
Where to shop
Ermou Street
The pedestrian main shopping street from Syntagma to Monastiraki, with Greek and international chains and the Byzantine church of Kapnikarea in the middle.
Kolonaki
Designer labels, Greek fashion designers and jewellers around Voukourestiou, Skoufa and Tsakalof streets.
Monastiraki and Ifestou Street
Leather sandals, vintage finds, records, bric-a-brac and souvenirs in narrow, shop-lined lanes.
Plaka
Souvenir shops along Adrianou and Kydathineon streets, with a few quality jewellery and ceramics shops among them.
Markets
Monastiraki flea market
Antique and second-hand dealers around Avissinias Square, at their busiest on Sunday mornings.
Varvakios Central Market
Meat, fish, spice, olive and cheese stalls on Athinas Street and the streets around it.
Laiki farmers' markets
Weekly street markets in each neighbourhood, such as the one on Xenokratous Street in Kolonaki, selling seasonal produce, honey and olives.
What to buy
Leather sandals
Handmade sandals from long-established workshops in Monastiraki and Plaka, often adjusted to fit in the shop.
Olive oil, honey and herbs
Thyme honey, extra-virgin olive oil, mountain tea and oregano from delis and the market streets around Varvakios.
Mastiha products
Mastic resin from the island of Chios as liqueur, chewing gum and cosmetics, sold in specialist shops.
Museum replicas
Replicas of ancient pottery, jewellery and statues from museum shops, including those at the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum.
Natural cosmetics
Greek olive-oil and herbal skincare brands sold in pharmacies, often for less than they cost abroad.
Komboloi
Worry beads in amber, wood or resin, still clicked by Greek men in cafés and sold by specialist shops in Plaka.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Monastiraki
Monastiraki Flea Market
From Monastiraki Square, Ifestou Street and the lanes around Avissinias Square are packed with shops selling vintage furniture, records, army surplus, leather sandals and souvenirs.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
Market · Omonia
Varvakios Central Market
Athens' central meat and fish market on Athinas Street has traded in its iron-roofed 19th-century hall since the 1880s.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Koulouri, Spanakopita and tiropita, Loukoumades and Freddo espresso. Street vendors and bakeries everywhere, especially near metro stations. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Monastiraki and Psyrri | $$ | Flea-market square, souvlaki grills and late-night bars below the Acropolis |
| Syntagma | $$$ | Parliament, the National Garden and the main transport hub |
| Kolonaki | $$$$ | Upscale boutiques, galleries and cafés on the slopes of Lycabettus |
| Pangrati | $$ | Local squares and tavernas behind the Panathenaic Stadium |
| Glyfada | $$$ | Seaside suburb with beaches, a marina and shopping on the Athens Riviera |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Service is not usually added to the bill. Leave about 5–10% in restaurants for good service, round up taxi fares and leave small change in cafés.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in November–February; the busiest months are June–July.
- June: Athens Epidaurus Festival — theatre, music and dance, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (usually June–August)
- July: Athens Epidaurus Festival continues
- December: Christmas tree and festivities in Syntagma Square (December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, families and luxury
Syntagma
Parliament, the National Garden and the main transport hub
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Athens?
Leather sandals, Olive oil, honey and herbs, Mastiha products and Museum replicas.
+Where is the best shopping in Athens?
Ermou Street: The pedestrian main shopping street from Syntagma to Monastiraki, with Greek and international chains and the Byzantine church of Kapnikarea in the middle.
+What are the best markets in Athens?
Monastiraki flea market, Varvakios Central Market and Laiki farmers' markets.