Athens, a Shopper's Mecca

Athens is one of those cities that has everything. A crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. Athens has long been a centre for craftsmanship; craftsmen jewellers, furriers, leatherworkers and ceramicists. Modern boutiques sit side by side with huge department stores and some of Europe's top establishments now have at least one store in the capital. Most visitors buy honey, olive oil, sponges, ceramics, gold and silver jewellery, shoes (a lesser-known craft, some of the best shoemakers and designers work in Greece), pottery, embroidery and even worry beads. The choice is there, it's up to you to discover the variety on offer. For leather items such as bags, jackets and sandals, you will find good value for money and good quality anywhere in the centre of Athens. Kilims and hand woven fabrics in traditional patterns are also a very authentic choice. However, a classic buy would be miniature copies of statues in plaster or marble that are available in many museums in Greece and you must not leave Greece without taking some great Greek music with you. Downtown Athens is a shoppers paradise. Besides the areas of the Plaka and Monastiraki which are well known to travellers for their large variety of tourist shops, all of central Athens is a shopper's Mecca.

 

Streets that were once choked with traffic have now been closed to all motor vehicles and this diverse shopping area has become a walking shoppers paradise with every kind of shop you can imagine, and some you never imagined existed. There are street merchants selling everything from scarves to devices that make stuffed grape leaves or hollow out a zucchini. The clothing shops have quality men and women's apparel from all over the world and the shoe stores make you wonder why your choices at home are so limited. Haggling is standard practice in the tourist areas of Athens and is essential in order to avoid paying extortionate prices. Winter sales in Athens start in the beginning of January and last approximately until the middle of March. Most shops are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 am-3 pm and on Tuesday and Thursday 9 am-8 pm.

 

Shopping areas

The Pláka

The Pláka market is open every day, and especially on Sundays, where thousands make way for the Monastariki flea market. You can find just about anything at this market, and it is a great place to go antique-hunting. If you are looking for typical Greek gifts which include hand-woven rugs, known as flokati, copper coffee pots, virgin olive oil and honey, all of which can be found in the souvenir shops in Pláka or just about anything else, and you can get some great deals here. One of the most famous shopping streets in all of the country can be found at Plaka. In the area of Plaka, along the Adrianou Street are located many interesting shops. These shops sell replicas of traditional Greek artifacts such as statues, busts, and old coins. Here too you can buy the traditional Greek shadow puppets from 'Karagiozis'.

 

Kolonaki

Kolonaki is the first word that a good shopper should know. Just a stone's throw from Syntagma Square, Kolonaki has always been the most fashionable and chic area of Athens, teeming with shops, trendy coffee shops and hip restaurants. Tsakalof Street is Kolonaki's most famous and is rated among the six most expensive streets in the world.

 

Ermou Street

Ermou Street recently paved for pedestrians only, is another much longer street not to miss if shopping is among your travel objectives. It is home to many local shops and international clothes makers. You can also find jewellery stores on Ermou and the selection of shoes. Off Syntagma Square, it has always been Athens' busiest shopping street and is packed with clothing, accessory and quality souvenir shops.

 

Elegant shoe shops can be found in Kolonaki and Ferkiniaos Street. The main shopping centre of Athens is in the triangle between Ermou Street, Aiolou Street and Academias Street. Music shops abound in Voulis Street and Academias Street. There is also a huge department store 'Attica' in Panepistimiou Street. Many internationally famous designer label shops are located in the area of Kolonaki and in Fokionos Negri Street. Shops selling cheap CDs of Greek music are plentiful around Omonia Square and for other kinds of music there is a Virgin Store selling a huge collection of all kinds of music in the big shopping centre at Petrou Palli Street. Almost anything can be purchased in this shopping centre at very good prices and the French Carrefour Department Store is also good for bargains. Other major shopping sites in Athens are Kifissia in the north and Glyfada on the south coast close to the airport.

 

Things you must buy

Jewellery : Greeks have always been good at making jewellery, as proved by both ancient and modern history. It is not that gold is cheap in Greece, but labor in Greece is cheaper and there are terrific bargains to be found if you know where to look because Greek goldsmiths are among the best in the world. Consider taking a walk around Voukourestiou and adjacent streets where exceptionally designed and handmade pieces can be found at such goldsmiths as Vildiridis,  Bulgari . The internationally best known names are Ilias Lalaounis  and Zolotas

 

Antiques : Antique shops can be found mainly in the Monastiraki area, where the largest open-air market of Athens takes place every day 8 am-2 pm. It's certainly worth considering a visit, since it's colourful and friendly and offers a broad  variety of antiques from glass and silver items to pieces of furniture and old appliances.

 

Komboloi : or Prayer beads, worry beads or also fidget toy as they are known. Most komboloi are strands of about sixteen to twenty beads with one bead tied and set off, usually adorned with a tassel. They can be stung of fine leather, string or metal chain.

 

 

There is no need to limit yourself however to shopping only in central Athens. Down at the port, Piraeus has a very interesting shopping area. Located between the Port, Korai Square and Pasalimani Street, elegant boutiques and fashion shops flourish. In B'Menarhias Street you will find shops selling spices, dried fruits, nuts and all manner of traditional Greek delicacies. Also some very cheap hardware stores.Shopping in Greece and particular shopping in Athens is a great experience.