Vibrant, hip, unmatched and full of culture. Street shopping in Athens is a ritual on its own. With countless flea markets, both big and small, scattered throughout the city, it will be a surprise if you return empty-handed without stumbling upon some Greek gem. Here is a guide on how to shop like a local in these markets and return with a bag full of perfect memorabilia.
1. Athens Central Market
Popularly called Varvakeios Agora by the locals, the Central Market of Athens houses the biggest collection of local fresh produce under a single roof. Lying on Athinas Street in the direction of Omonia Square, this farmer's market has captured the eyes of vendors, restaurant owners, residents and tourists alike. It is the one-stop destination for anything and everything one needs to complete a Greek kitchen. Covered by a glass roof, it is one of the oldest markets in Athens, dating back to early 1886. The market is spread across the street and can be broadly divided into three sections. The first is the fish market, where recent captures from the Aegean sea and imported varieties are brought fresh early every morning. Next comes the meat market, where you will find the splendid sujuk, obtained from beef or lamb, and the savoury pastourma, a delicacy prepared using goat or beef meat covered in cumin paste and spices. Lastly, the fruits and vegetable market, where you will come across a plethora of products like herbs, spices, feta cheese, olives, nuts, and seeds, to name a few. For a quick break, you can hop into the taverns and grab a cup of classic Greek coffee, a traditional coffee brewed in Hovoli on hot sand.
Location: Athinas, Athens 105 51, Greece
Timings: Monday to Saturday from 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
Must Buy: dried figs from Smyrna, olives, pickled skoumbri, pistachios from Aegina
2. Monastiraki Square
Near Ermou Street, towards the end of Pandrossou Street, you will stumble upon a lively scene of a rainbow of products displayed across countless stalls. This is the iconic flea market of Monastiraki Square. Perfect place to absorb the culture, crowd and energy of the city. It is a flea market in the true sense, especially on Sundays, when you can stumble upon fascinating artworks among piles of Greek treasures. So yes, as an exception to the other markets of Athens, this place is open on Sundays. You will come across all kinds of stuff here, each making a unique, fun souvenir for your trip. There is handmade jewellery, bohemian accessories, miniature replicas of famous artefacts and monuments, traditional worry beads, ancient bottle openers, and even icons painted by monks. Challenge is to spot fakes from the authentic ones. Broad alleys with graffiti on walls and the ruins of Acropolis visible in the distance provide the perfect background for Instagram pictures.
Location: Ifestou 2, Athina 105 55, Greece
Timings: Every Day from 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Must Buy: vinyl records, handmade gold and silver jewellery, products made from olive oil
3. Ermou Street
From Syntagma Square stretches a pedestrian street lined with cobblestones. With renowned brand stores and legendary local shops scattered on both sides, this 1.5 km stretch of shopper's paradise is what is called the market of Ermou Street. It reminds one of a typical high-end street market, where you go to purchase quality products. Stores of all the big names are present here. Sephora, H&M, Zara, Mac, Flying Tiger, Marks and Spencer, Benetton, if you can name it, chances are you will find it here. Scattered between these commercial outlets are the local favourites selling some of the best Greek souvenirs. An interesting visit to get a taste of the local scene is Fokas, a Greek departmental store. The highlight of this street, however, is the picturesque Kapnikareas Church. Right towards the end, in the alleys winding next to it, you will also come across various taverns and bars. Even if you don't intend to shop, this street is definitely worth taking a refreshing stroll and enjoying the performances put together by the talented musicians and dancers.
Location: Ermou Street, Athens 144 52, Greece
Timings: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Some shops are closed on Sunday
Must Buy: Shoes and leather jackets from Spiliopoulos, cosmetics from Hondos Centre
4. Avissinias Square
An extended part of the Monastiraki flea market that specialises in antiques is the market at Avissinias Square. It can be reached via Ermou Street by walking south and or via Hephaestus street by walking north. Stalls here are mainly set up by villagers, localities, and gipsies. The bohemian setting of this place is highlighted by the rustic and colourful vintages cluttering the table counters. Antiques from all periods can be found here. Be it vinyl records, jewellery, coins, stamps, cards, fancy trinkets, decorative pieces, or even graceful furniture, there is no end to what you can find in the piles displayed at each stall. Though, due to the endless options, you might have to look around the scrap for some time before you can find the priceless gems. All this is available at thrifty prices. Just remember to bargain to get the best deals. It is particularly crowded on Sundays, so exploring the narrow street might become difficult. Remember to stop by Cafe Avissinias for a quick brunch.
Location: Pl. Avissinias 10, Athina 105 55, Greece
Timings: Open 24 hours every day
Must Buy: Stamps, traditional ornaments, old Greek coins
5. Kolonaki District
Another destination for luxury street shopping, like Ermou Street, is the neighbourhood of Kolonaki. A stroll away from Omonia Square, it is nestled close to Lycabettus hill. It is an affluent district, so everything, from its shops and bars to its cafes and restaurants, is upscale. It is the abode of high-end labels, both international brands and rising Greek designers. Hence, though the boutique merchandise will burn a hole in your pocket, you will get comparatively good deals on first copies and second-hand items from luxury brands like Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney to name a few. The shops are the contemporary part of this tranquil neighbourhood. Its other side, the historical side, is made of grand museums and art galleries. On Fridays, the street transforms into a farmer's market. From 7 in the morning till 2 in the afternoon, it will be swamped with vendors selling freshly produced fruits and vegetables alongside fish, honey, flowers and handmade delicacies.
Location: Kolonaki, Athens 115 21, Greece
Timings: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
Must Buy: Second-hand luxury brand collection from Preloved
6. Shopping Malls
If you get exhausted from wandering around the street markets and simply wish to shop without tiring your legs out, you can head out to one of the opulent malls in the city and complete your shopping spree. A good piece of advice will be to begin at The Mall Athens in Marousi. The largest shopping centre in the city, so it's the complete package. Spread across four levels, it has numerous international and emerging Greek brand outlets, a bowling alley, an arcade, big screen theatres, food courts, and Athen's one and only Lego Play Factory. Next on the list is the outdoor mall of McArthur Glen, the perfect place to get the best prices on luxurious brands like Versace. Another hot favourite is Athens Metro Mall. Located right next to Agios Dimitrios metro station, it houses over 80 commercial shops including brands like Zara Home, Toi et Moi, Oysho and a grand footwear store called Tsakiris Mallas.
If you think this is where the list ends, you are wrong. There is a flea market in Piraeus that is held every Sunday. You can explore the alleys of Plaka, where you will find cute little shops selling hand painted bags and postcards. Then there is the food market on Evripidou Street, where you will find dried fruits and herbs of all kinds. What other agoras did you find worth exploring? Drop a comment below!