Where To Go Shopping In Athens Greece In 2024

Interested in shopping in Athens? Look no further! Here is a complete guide on the best shops, malls and great shopping areas in Athens.

Your local guide to the best shops in Athens 2024

For many visitors, shopping is an essential part of their Athens experience when visiting Greece. And while the city centre is fairly compact, there’s an incredible range of stores, where you can buy all sorts of things.

Are you after clothes, shoes and other consumer goods? Vintage clothes, antiques and the best Greek souvenirs? Or are you interested in food shopping for traditional Greek products?

Best shops in Athens Greece

This guide on Athens shopping is here to help! I’ve included shopping districts, maps, and everything else you will need for a pleasant shopping experience in Athens. 

Let’s have a look!

Ermou Street: The main shopping street in central Athens

Without a doubt, the number one shopping street in downtown Athens is Ermou Street. This wide, pedestrianized street begins at Syntagma Square, just opposite the Greek Parliament, and runs down to Monastiraki Square and beyond.

Ermou is duly named after Hermes, the Ancient Greek God of commerce. This is the place to go if you’re looking for mainstream clothes, shoes, accessories and cosmetics.

Ermou is the main shopping street in Athens

There are all sorts of international high-street chain stores, like H&M, Zara, Marks & Spencer’s etc. You will also find popular local brands, such as Attrattivo and Celestino.

Anyone looking for beauty products should pass by Hondos Center. This is a department store where you can find all sorts of soaps, shampoos and cosmetics, but also selected clothes, luggage, underwear and other consumer goods.

People who are into shopping could easily spend a few hours on Ermou street alone. If you include the surrounding shopping streets, you could easily spend a whole day. I’m a huge fan of the shops with crafts materials and bead stores around this area – you’ll find plenty of them.

Map: Ermou Street

Monastiraki flea market

As you are going down Ermou street, you will find Monastiraki Square. Here is where the Monastiraki flea market begins. It’s located on Ifestou street and the side streets.

Here, you will find many stores for clothes, shoes and leather goods. There is also a range of shops selling new and used books, CDs, vinyl records, musical instruments, military accessories, souvenirs, and various other items.

Shopping in Athens - Monastiraki Flea Market

Moreover, Monastiraki is a fun place to come for antique and vintage items. If this is what you are after, head to the Avissinias Square antique market on Sundays, and have a look at what’s available.

If you are interested in inexpensive souvenirs, head to the stalls in Thisseio and Dionysiou Areopagitou street. You will find a number of artisans, selling handmade items, like jewelry, accessories and all sorts of trinkets.

Maps: Ifestou Street / Avissinias Square / Thisseio

Specialty shops around Ermou street

As you are walking on Ermou street from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, you will notice that there is a shopping district on your right hand side, which includes a maze of tiny alleyways.

This small area is full of shops selling cheap T-shirts and other budget clothes, shoes, accessories and luggage, often of mediocre quality. It’s great for a little retail therapy that won’t break the bank.

Luggage stores in Athens Greece

In addition, here is where you can find a range of more unusual items and consumer goods, such as the following:

  • a huge selection of fabrics
  • threads, needles and other sewing materials
  • beads, semi-precious stones, metals, threads and everything else you need to make your own jewelry
  • materials for hobbies, arts and crafts.

This is a great shopping area in Athens if you like discovering unique local shops. No matter how many times you visit, you will always discover a small shop you hadn’t noticed before.

Map: This maze of tiny alleyways includes Perikleous, Aiolou , Kalamiotou and Agiou Markou streets.

Athinas street: Tools, cheap clothes and food shops

Just off Monastiraki metro station, you will find Athinas street, a long street leading to Omonia Square.

Athinas is full of shops selling all sorts of tools and household goods. You will also find a few second-hand stores for clothes, luggage and army clothes stores, leather sandals, and various other goods at low retail prices.

Shopping in Athens - Leather sandals

In all honestly though, most visitors wouldn’t venture out to Athinas street, if it wasn’t for the Athens Central food market.

Map: Athinas street

Central food market in Athens

One of the best places for food shopping in Athens is the Varvakios central market. This extensive food market is located on Athinas street, a short walk from Monastiraki metro.

Here, you will find vegetables, fruit, nuts, Greek olives and olive oil, cheese, meat, fish, yogurt, bakery goods, herbs, spices, Greek coffee and more local delicacies, all at good prices.

The food market in Athens

The section with the meat and fish market is probably the most fascinating one in the whole Central Market – though vegans would probably want to avoid it.

If you are interested in spices, head to the famous Bahar, on Evripidou street. You will easily spot it, as there’s always a queue outside.

And even if you aren’t planning to buy any traditional Greek products, you should still come here – it’s a fascinating place to people-watch.

Map: Central Municipal Athens Market

More antique and vintage shops: Psiri Athens

Close to Monastiraki square, a short walk away from the food market, you will find the area of Psiri, or Psyri. This small neighborhood is known for its cafes, bars and Greek dessert shops, like the iconic Little Kook.

What many people don’t know is that Athens Psiri is also home to numerous antique and vintage shops, where you can find a huge collection of authentic vintage and antique items.

Shopping in Athens - Antique items

Moreover, if you are interested in original clothes, you will find a few unique shops at Psiri. Head to Protogenous street, and make sure you have stacks of time to explore all the hidden gems!

Map: Psiri

Plaka: Souvenir shops, and not only

Most people who visit Athens will pass by the iconic neighborhood called Plaka. This little area just underneath the Acropolis is quite touristy, but remains charming nevertheless.

Here, you will find several souvenir shops, stores with leather goods, and a few places selling clothes by upcoming Greek designers. It’s also a great area to buy pretty, affordable jewelry.

Shopping street in Plaka, Athens

Walk around Pandrossou and Andrianou streets, and you will definitely find a few gifts to take back home!

And if the stores in Plaka don’t appeal to you, take a short walk to Koukaki, the up-and-coming area behind the Acropolis. You will find a nice selection of small shops selling original clothes and other items.

Map: PlakaKoukaki

Note: Plaka is a rather common name here in Greece. As an example, there’s a Plaka in Milos island!

Kolonaki: Upmarket retail therapy

Are you interested in exclusive Athens shops and fashion items by established international and Greek designers? If so, you should visit Kolonaki area. This is the best place for high quality shoes and luxury shopping in central Athens.

Head to Voukourestiou street, and you will find fashion brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Dior. You will also come across acclaimed Greek jewelry stores such as Lalaounis, who are well-known for their Byzantine jewelry.

Ilias Lalaounis Byzantine jewelry

When you’ve had enough shopping therapy, you can always go for a coffee / drink, or head up Lycabettus Hill, to see Athens from above.

Also, if you like department stores, you should check out Attica, located close to both Kolonaki and Syntagma Square. It’s an upmarket megastore, where you will find a great selection of clothes, shoes, cosmetics and many more consumer goods.

Map: KolonakiAttica department store

Art galleries and museum shops in Athens

In addition to the Athens stores mentioned above, you will be delighted to know that many of the museums and art galleries in Athens have shops. Here, you can find quality artworks and other items, often inspired by Ancient Greece.

Cycladic Art Museum

The Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art are good places to buy museum replicas, and other pieces inspired by the museum collections. You will also find a good selection of art and history books.

Map: Acropolis Museum / Benaki Museum / Museum of Cycladic Art

Related: Have a look at this article with the best museums and art galleries in Athens

Beyond central Athens

While downtown Athens is great for shopping, most of the Athens suburbs have nice shopping areas as well. Areas like Chalandri, Nea Ionia, Kifissia, Peristeri and Glyfada are fantastic areas to visit.

You will find plenty of shopping options, from mainstream shops to unique boutiques. As the Glyfada and Kifissia areas are popular places for expats to live, there’s more of a cosmopolitan feel to the shopping areas. 

Shopping malls in Athens

It’s hard to believe that, only a couple of decades ago, not a single retail park or shopping mall existed in Athens and the suburbs!

Today, there are several Athens malls, retail parks and outlets. Some of them are easily accessible by metro. Others are out of the city center, and you’d need to take a bus or a taxi to get there.

1. The Mall Athens

This is the first mall that opened in the northern suburbs of Athens, back in 2005. It’s a mall with multiple levels, where you can find most popular brands and high street stores.

A view of the Mall Athens

On the top floor there’s a food court with a few cafes and restaurants, as well as the Village cinemas. The Mall is popular with teenagers, and can get very busy on evenings and weekends.

Website: The Mall Athens

Map: Andrea Papandreou 35, Maroussi, 

How to get there: The Mall is a short walk from Nerantziotissa metro station, on the green metro line. It’s also close to the Olympic Stadium.

2. Golden Hall

Not far from The Mall, you will find the Golden Hall. This luxurious shopping mall is home to several shops, cafes and restaurants, including a couple of upmarket brands.

Here is also where you will find the Athens Olympic Museum. This private museum presents the history of the Olympic Games, from the ancient times to date.

Website: Golden Hall

Map: Kifisias Av. 37A, Maroussi

How to get there: Buses Α7, Ε14, Χ14 and 550, passing by Kifissias Av.

3. Avenue Mall

Next door to the Golden Hall, you will find the compact Avenue Mall. This is a good place for everyday shopping, and there’s also a large Sklavenitis supermarket. It’s the go-to-mall for locals living nearby.

Website: Avenue Mall

Map: Kifissias Av. 41-47, Maroussi

How to get there: Buses Α7, Ε14, Χ14 and 550, passing by Kifissias Av.

4. Athens Metro Mall

The Athens Metro Mall is closer to the south suburbs of Athens. It’s another big retail center including restaurants, cafes, a Village cinema and an AB supermarket.

Website: Athens Metro Mall

Map: Vouliagmenis Av. 276, Agios Dimitrios

How to get there: This shopping center is right on Agios Dimitrios metro station, on the red metro line.

5. River West

This is the largest mall in the west suburbs of Athens. Here, you will find a range of clothing stores, including megastores like Decathlon, shoe shops, electronics, and many more consumer goods. There are plenty of outdoor areas, free on-site parking, and even an Electrical Vehicle charging station.

Website: River West

Map: Kifissou 98, Egaleo

How to get there: There’s a River West free shuttle bus from Egaleo metro every 10 / 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can use public buses 420 and 829.

6. McArthur Glenn / Athens Smart Park designer outlet

This giant shopping park is located close to the Athens International Airport, in an area called Spata. It’s the largest shopping mall in Greece, and the best outlet in Athens and the suburbs if you are after serious retail therapy.

You will find an array of high street shops, including a giant Decathlon store. There’s also a good selection of cafes and restaurants, and a big (and free) parking lot.

How to get there: Bus no 319 from Doukissis Plakentias metro station, which is a 15-minute ride from Athens down town, or taxi

Website: McArthur Glenn / Smart Park

Map: Spata

Store opening hours in Athens Greece

Most stores in Athens are open from Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. Yet, the souvenir stores around Plaka and the Monastiraki Flea market remain open on Sundays.

Store opening hours in Athens may vary. Usually, chain stores and larger shops remain open from 10.00 to 21.00 on weekdays, and from 10.00 to 20.00 on Saturdays.

A market stall in Athens Greece

Smaller shops have shorter opening hours. They usually close around 15.00 or 16.00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and may also remain closed between about 14.30 and 17.00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

By law, all shops are required to accept credit and debit cards. With that said, small shops and family businesses usually prefer cash, especially for very small amounts. 

Shopping tours in Athens

If all this information is overwhelming, and you don’t know where to begin, you can always take a shopping tour in Athens! Here are a couple:

FAQ about shopping in Athens

Here are a few questions readers have asked in the past about shopping and purchases in Athens:

What are the best places for shopping in Athens?

Some of the best shopping areas in central Athens include Ermou street, Monastiraki, Plaka, Kolonaki, Psiris and Koukaki.

Are clothes expensive in Greece?

Clothes prices in Greece vary widely, depending on the type of store you are visiting. The best places to find cheap clothes include street markets and thrift stores.

What luxury stores are in Athens Greece?

You can find plenty of international designer brands in Athens. A few examples are Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Rolex, Cartier, Bulgari, Prada, Dior, Gucci etc.

Should you carry cash in Greece?

Although most shops in Greece accept debit and credit cards, shopkeepers are always happy to be paid in cash. All in all, it doesn’t hurt to have some euro notes on you, just in case.

What shoes should I wear in Greece?

If you are going for a shopping spree around the Greek capital, my suggestion is to leave your high heels behind, and bring comfortable walking shoes. The cobbled streets aren’t heel-friendly!

More guides about Greece and the Greek islands

I hope you enjoyed reading this article, which proves that Athens is a great shopping destination! Here are a few more guides about Greece:


Vanessa from Real Greek Experiences Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I really enjoy visiting the shopping areas and thriving markets in Athens. If you are looking to buy something more specific, leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you. Follow me on FB and Instagram for more Greece-related info!


Where to go shopping in Athens

 

 

4 thoughts on “Where To Go Shopping In Athens Greece In 2024”

  1. I would like to receive detail information about Greek Independence Day celebration. Are there any books about these celebrations?

    Thank you very much,
    Mehdi Sanjaghi

    Reply
  2. I lived in Kifissia fifty years ago so I’m sure it’s completely different. Bus or metro from Syntagma? Or cab?
    Really want to get a SILVER puzzle ring. Plaka or Monastiraki? Any favorite stores you would recommend?
    Can I still climb Mars hill at night, drink cheap wine and gaze at the Acropolis? 😉

    Reply
    • Hi – oh yes things have changed a lot! You can still take the green line to Omonia or Monastiraki (just make sure you watch your valuables), or a bus, or taxi. I haven’t seen the silver puzzle ring for years… I’ve got one of them from 20+ years ago too! There are lots of street vendors near Thissio metro station, more of them on Sundays. As for Mars Hill yes you can still do that, there’s now a metal staircase that is much less slippery – but the stones themselves up on the rock are still very very slippery 😀 Here’s my article on Mars Hill. When are you around?

      Reply

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