10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Athens

Athens Central Market is a glass roof-covered farmers market, buzzing with colours, scents and chatter. A crowd gathers early in the morning to pick up local goodies like fresh seafood, meats, teas, spices, feta cheese, olives and nuts. You’ll find everything here that might be in a Greek kitchen, such as skinned goat, lamb sausages, quail and royal jelly.

As you step inside, all your senses will be engaged at once. There is a mix of delicious aromas, a rainbow of colourful fresh produce and fish are interestingly displayed, stuck vertically in ice. When you need a rest, stop by the historic coffee roastery for a classic hovoli coffee which is brewed on hot sand.

At Monastiraki Square, you can take in the history, culture and one of the most characterful shopping scenes of Athens. Follow through the maze of alleys lined with shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Beautiful murals and cool graffiti will catch your eye and vendors selling nuts and sweets will also beckon you. The impressive Acropolis ruins overlook the square.

Browsing through the many stores of Monastiraki Square, you´ll be charmed by the offbeat selection available. Choose an original souvenir of local foods and spices, apparel, books, vinyl records and antiques alongside the common and touristy souvenirs such as replicas of ancient artefacts.

The Kolonaki District is both trendy and historic – it’s home to art galleries, museums, fashionable bars, exquisite restaurants and upscale shops. Its central square boasts an ancient column, or kolonaki, which the area is named after. Feel Athens’ authentic busy and cool vibe as you browse the variety of stores along the zigzagging alleys.

Spend your afternoon browsing the luxurious boutiques selling designer clothing and shoes. Check out the designs from a local up-and-coming designer or the exclusive high-end pieces from one of the more established international brands. In between, you can pause to take pictures of the beautiful architecture or sip a Greek coffee and people watch at one of the cafes.

Ermou Street is a popular route where you can get the authentic feel of Athens as you shop. Stroll down the charming cobblestoned way and smell the aromas from vendors roasting nuts and corn on the cob. Browse the collection of name brands and local Greek stores. The many shoe shops here offer a wide variety of styles.

When you tire from shopping, head to the end of the street and take a break in a cute taverna or an ouzeri (a bar serving drinks and finger food). Be sure to avoid coming to Ermou Street on a Sunday as it is not a traditional shopping day in Athens and most shops will be closed.

Avysinias Square in Athens comes alive early in the morning with an abundance of vendors, locals and visitors. There is a variety of curiosity shops for you to explore as well as a busy market that takes over the square and spills into the surrounding streets. You can experience Athens’ diverse culture and history here through various goods on display such as traditional embroidery, glassware, pottery and silverware.

Explore the shops of Avysinias Square for an eclectic shopping experience. You´ll be dazzled by the variety that ranges from jewellery to ceramics to musical instruments to leather goods. Browse through the array of local antiques and get a feel for Athens and its shopping scene.

Athens’ Exarchia District is a hip place with a delightfully confusing cluster of shops with vintage wares. There is a cool counterculture vibe here where the streets are lined with intense graffiti, funky cafes and eclectic stores.

You’ll enjoy second-hand luxury in the Exarchia District with the dozens of vintage shops and bohemian boutiques selling clothing, shoes, bags, artisan creations, records, comic books, perfume and musical instruments. For even more action, visit on a Saturday morning when the farmers market is set up and full of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, honey, dried beans and flowers. Head to the centre of the square for a hot coffee, made by a friendly vendor brewing over a fire or on a gas burner.

At Evripidou Street in Athens, your shopping experience will begin when you get a waft of its distinctive blend of aromas from the many open-front food shops. Take in the delicious selection of dried fruits like figs, plums, mango, dates and blueberries. Feast your eyes on the offerings of the fish market, dairy vendors and charcuterie shops. 

Browse the fresh herb stores which look like little gardens with their displays of potted herbs, ready for the kitchen or a terrace. Stop by a spice shop and breathe in the enticing aromas of dried spices, herbs and essential oils. Most vendors are chatty and will happily teach you about each spice and its healing properties.

Head to the Mall Athens for a convenient and pleasant shopping experience in the Greek capital. This spacious mall hosts an assortment of stores, cafes, restaurants, a supermarket, a cinema and a bowling alley. The glass ceilings keep the mall light and bright and the cool air conditioning is a welcome feature for all shoppers. You will appreciate the cleanliness, as well as the easy metro access and convenient parking facility.

Make a day of shopping at the mall and take your time browsing through the various clothing and homeware shops. If you have kids in tow, they’ll enjoy a break at the Lego play areas. In between, enjoy a coffee or a meal at the mall’s expansive food court.

McArthur Glen Outlet Mall Head on the outskirts of Athens is the place to go for an enjoyable and exciting shopping experience. This mall is huge but easily laid out, so it’s fun to explore. Browse the multiple levels that house your favourite designer brands offered with attractive discounts. You’ll find clothing, shoes, kitchen and homewares, kids’ toy stores, a pharmacy, a supermarket, and various cafes and restaurants.

You’ll appreciate the special touches here like the shaded seating zones outside where you can pause to rest your legs, and there’s a kids’ playground with little trampolines. This mall is popular so to avoid big crowds, it’s best to visit on a weekday.

The Athens Metro Mall has an impressive cool vibe with its 5 levels hosting more than 90 stores and restaurants. It is spacious and brightly lit thanks to its skylight roof. There is decorative greenery including large palms growing up from the ground floor through the levels. You and your kids can pause and admire the large reef aquarium with its colourful and exotic fish.

The Athens Metro Mall is conveniently accessed by metro and there is also parking provided. Spend your day browsing the stores for clothing, shoes, cosmetics, electronics and books. Then, finish with a visit to the mall’s unmissable rooftop gardens where you can eat or sip coffee while taking in the stunning views of Athens from above.