Shopping in Athens

Athens is the place to be for shopaholics. With various shopping avenues available, there is something for everyone. From fresh produce to locally made goods, expats can experience the authentic taste and culture of Greece.

If you revel in a good bargain and a vintage find, you should visit the abundance of flea markets. Conversely, those who prefer designer brands and high-end fashion will find Athens’s shopping centres and boutiques highly satisfactory.

Markets in Athens

Monastiraki Flea Market

Located in Old Athens, the Monastiraki Flea Market offers one of Athens's most eclectic shopping experiences. Locals and tourists love getting lost in the pedestrian streets of the market. One section is tightly lined with shops selling souvenirs emblazoned with ‘I Love Greece’, while others are filled with fantastic antiques and vendors selling artisanal Greek handicrafts.

On Sundays, when most shops in Athens are closed, the streets off Avissinias Square become an open flea market where people sell antiques and bric-a-brac items off tables and carpets.

Athens Central Market

The Athens Central Market, also known as Varvakios Central Market, is one of the best and cheapest places to buy fresh food and provides a lively, colourful experience. Walking through the lanes, you will find fresh meat and fish, bellowing vendors and endless Greek deli offerings.

Malls and shopping streets in Athens

Ermou Street

The largest outdoor shopping street in Athens houses recognisable international brands, including Mango, Marks & Spencer, Zara, and Sephora. These are interspersed with popular Greek shops like Tsakiris Mallas, Folli Follie and The Hondos Center.

The Mall Athens

When Athenians say ‘the mall’, there is only one they are referring to. The Mall Athens was built after the 2004 Olympic Games in the centre of Maroussi, an upmarket suburb in northern Athens. Situated close to the Neraziotissa station, its numerous levels contain plenty to keep shopping enthusiasts occupied, from clothing and department stores to entertainment facilities like a cinema and food court.

Kolonaki District (Voukourestiou Street)

Luxury lovers will enjoy Kolonaki District on Voukourestiou Street. Here, you can find shops for designer brands like Prada and Gucci. There are also beautiful art galleries and chic cafés that punctuate the luxury shopping experiences.

Boutique shopping in Athens

Expats who prefer poking in and out of boutique shops over the indoor constraints of a typical mall are in luck. Lovely neighbourhoods such as Kifissia, Halandri, and Glyfada are well-known shopping destinations with designer shops and locally owned businesses.

Kifissia and Halandri, in the northern suburbs, are popular for offering a day of shopping, eating, and drinking coffee. Lastly, Glyfada is the shopping centre in the south of Athens. A few minutes from the sea, the streets of this suburb are flanked by dozens of shopping choices.