Ermou Street Archives - Insights Greece

11 Best Places for Shopping in Athens

If it’s shopping you are after, Athens has something for everyone. From international labels and cool concept stores to colourful marketplaces, stunning boutiques in chic neighbourhoods, and shopping outlets located just outside the city- there are endless options for every style and budget.

So, whether you’re a fan of window browsing, or prefer to buy as you please, here is our list of best places to shop in Athens!

Kolonaki

Insights Greece - 11 Best Places for Shopping in Athens — Luisa World in Kolonaki

Just a few minutes away from Athens centre is one of the best areas to shop in the city- especially if you’re looking for high-end stores. The charming streets are filled with beautiful boutiques that feature Greek and international designers. And if you love spending endless hours browsing, Kolonaki is a must. This fashionable neighbourhood has no shortage of luxury labels, stylish concept stores, cool cafes, trendy bars, and classy restaurants (plenty of places to sit down for a nice long lunch, or a quick bite to eat). Here you will find unique pieces of couture and ready-to-wear clothing, as well as a stunning range of shoes, accessories, beauty products, and more.

Kifissia

About a 30-minute train ride from downtown, Kifissia is filled with elegant and classy boutiques. This is where you’ll bump into stylish Athenians from all over the city looking for the latest seasonal pieces. From high-end stores that stock clothing, handbags, jewellery; plus decor and homewares by both international and Greek designers- Kifissia stands out for its impressive range of shoe shops.

Glyfada

Along the Athenian Riviera you will come across one of Athens’ most popular shopping strips in Glyfada, which is filled with boutique after boutique- stocking womenswear, menswear, and kidswear. Home to SOHO SOHO and Glyfada Centre, there are plenty of stores featuring local and international designers. It’s a long open-air shopping mall, so make sure you are prepared with comfy shoes and an umbrella if rain is forecast!

Ermou St

A paradise for shoppers, pedestrianised Ermou Street stretches over one and a half kilometres in the centre of Athens. Along the way, you will come across a variety of stores that stock international brands and local designers. From beauty stores such as Sephora and Mac through to the largest retailers in fast fashion- Zara, H&M, Pull & Bear and Bershka, you will find them all at Ermou. For those who love shoes, make sure you stop off at Migato, Mourtzo and Tsakiris Mallas, which are local brands. We also suggest you make time to check out the streets parallel to Ermou, for lots more stylish boutiques and designer wear.

Monastiraki

As you make your way down Ermou St, you will arrive at the heart of Monastiraki, which is famous for its Flea Market. Here you will discover a variety of stores including souvenir shops, vintage and second-hand shops. It’s the perfect place to pick up all your bric-a-brac and on Sundays, the streets of Monastiraki welcome a colourful open-air market, which is well worth visiting as there is nothing here you can’t find. Tip: When you walk through the Flea Market make sure you stroll through the tiny alleys and check out the little antique shops.

Plaka

One of the city’s busiest spots- it’s home to several stores. Here you will find locally made jewellery, sandals, and clothes; as well as books, vinyl, antiques, and souvenirs to take home with you. Make sure you check out the good range of clay, copper, and ceramics that can be found on pretty much every corner of Plaka.

McArthur Glen

This was the first designer outlet in Greece, where you’ll find international labels with price reductions from 35 – 70%, all year round. McArthur Glen Athens Designer Outlet is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Athens International Airport and 30 minutes drive from Athens city centre. Open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm- there are over 100 stores including Hugo Boss, BSB, Diesel, Gant, Moschino, Ralph Lauren, Prince Oliver, Salvatore Ferragamo, Scotch & Soda and Toi & Moi.

Factory Outlet

If you are around Piraeus way (maybe waiting for your ferry to depart) and you have some time to kill- head to the Factory Outlet where you can get heavily discounted prices on labels including Adidas, Ben Sherman, Boss, Converse, Diesel, Folli Follie, G-Star Raw, Karl Lagerfield, Nike, Pepe Jeans, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok and Ted Baker.

Golden Hall

If you’re in search of Athens’ leading shopping mall with a great range of stores then head to Maroussi, where you’ll find Golden Hall Shopping Mall. About a 20-minute drive from the heart of the city, the mall features both international and Greek fashion brands under one roof including Adidas, American Eagle, Benetton, Diesel, DKNY, GAP, Nike and Zara.

The Mall

The Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in Athens. Also located in Maroussi, this popular shopping centre houses over 200 stores that are spread through four levels. Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 9 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 8 pm here you’ll find Adidas, Calvin Klein, H&M, Intimissimi Uomo, Lacoste, LEGO Store, Migato, Massimo Dutti, Nike, Replay, Sephora, Swarovski, Tommy Hilfiger, Tsakiris Mallas, Benetton, Victoria’s Secret, Zara and Zara Home.

Attica

Attica is Greece’s largest department store. Housed in a neo-classical building it’s located right in the heart of Athens and here you’ll find a range of high-end brands and personalised services. From womenswear, menswear, kidswear, sportswear, accessories, jewellery, and homewares; Attica is a one-stop-shop for designer brands including Burberry, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dsquared 2, Escada, Emporio Armani, Isabel Marant, Kenzo, Maje, Max Mara, Missoni, John Varvatos and Zeus + Dione.

Athens’ Unique Politiko-Cuisine Charcuterie

In 2014 Evripidou St, the “spice street” of Athens, became even more sensorily exciting with the opening of the restaurant-deli Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani, located in a old lovely stone house with a pretty, naturally-lit courtyard.

Insights Greece - Athens' Unique Politiko-Cuisine Charcuterie — Perfect breakfast

Through this restaurant, a few years ago a second one opened on Ermou 119, as Fanis Theodoropoulos of the Arapian family, who came to Athens after the fall of Asia Minor in 1922, aims to honour the culinary traditions of the Byzantine ‘patromageireio’.

Being amongst the Greek Orthodox community from Turkey with origins in Cappadocia and Cilikia, who were known as Karamanlides, Theodoropoulos lovingly entices and satisfies the appetites with a whole host of meze and main dishes.

Both at the original restaurant on Evripidou and the new one on Ermou, artfully-made, freshly prepared and deeply flavoursome specialty dishes include pastourmas of beef, kavourmas (a terrine cooked with spices and egg), soutzouk, salamis coated with various spices, hams and aged PDO cheeses. The cured products are made by partner/producer Paraskevas Sarimiboyas at the Sary workshop in Drama, where even the Xinomavro vine leaves used for their juicy, tender dolmades are grown.

I had the pleasure to visit the newer restaurant (accompanied by the wonderfully vibrant and Athens-savvy Livin’ Lovin’ tour guide Katerina Tsipiti who introduced me to the new place), try some of the flavours and interview Theodoropoulos, who joked that soon his family will be permanently locking him out of the house as he dedicates so much time and effort on perfecting the two restaurants. He also explained that the main difference at the twin restaurant on Ermou is that it has a wood-fire oven where fluffy, lightweight pies and breads are baked on the spot, which is why it’s called “to ergastiri” (the workshop).

We tried a delicious taramosalata with Greek bottarga, rice-only dolmadakia, kavourmas, beef pastourmas pie and spinach pie, accompanied by icy tsipouro. Apart from many types of raki, tsipouro and wines, the restaurant also serves a satisfying variety of Greek craft beers. Turkish dessert lovers shouldn’t miss out on baklava, Kiounefe and kazan dipi, made with pure butter, as well as phoney and sesame pasteli, baklava, rice milk and homemade jams.

Many thanks to Livin‘ Lovin tours Athens.

A: 41 Evripidou str., 10554, Athens; 119 Ermou str., 10555, Athens

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Strolling Through Ermou Street

A paradise for shoppers, pedestrianised Ermou Street stretches over one and a half kilometres in the centre of Athens. This is the busiest and most expensive commercial street in Greece, making it a must-see destination.

Visitors can begin their leisurely stroll from Syntagma Square. Across from Parliament you walk down a set of stairs that lead you to a charming fountain- from here you are able to begin your walk all the way through to Monastiraki.

Along the way you will come across a variety of stores that stock international brands and local designers.

Athens’ shopping strip is also popular thanks to its laid-back vibe, with musicians and other artists busking outdoors- providing a cool and lively buzz- both day and night.

However, most do come to shop and from high-end clothing to handmade shoes, leather goods, embroidery, and designer jewellery – there is something here for everyone. But if you aren’t really into fashion don’t despair you can also find some great food stores that sell local delicacies such as herbs, teas, olive oil, nuts, and cheeses. Otherwise grab yourself some Greek street food, or sit at one of the many cafes or bars and enjoy a coffee or dessert.

As you walk along, you will also come across one of the oldest churches in the Greek capital. The Byzantine Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea is in a small square, on the east section of Ermou Street. The historic 11th-century church stands out, with its beautiful icons created by Fotis Kondoglou.

If it’s all about the shopping- you are definitely in the right spot. From beauty stores such as Sephora and Mac through to the largest retailers in fast fashion- Zara, H&M, Pull & Bear and Bershka, you will find them all at Ermou. For those who love shoes, make sure you stop off at Migato, Mourtzo and Tsakiris Mallas, which are local brands. We also suggest you make time to check out the streets parallel to Ermou, for lots more stylish boutiques and designer wear.

As you make your way down, you will arrive at the heart of Monastiraki, which is famous for its flea market. Here you will discover a variety of stores including souvenir shops, vintage and second-hand shops. It’s the perfect place to pick up all your bric-a-brac and enjoy the fun game of bargaining. Monastiraki, (meaning little monastery) is a distinctive area, with narrow streets criss-crossing streets, and small buildings. It is located in the old quarters of the city.

The area is home to several clothing stores, specialty stores, and you will also find plenty of places to eat. If you are after leather sandals, traditional clothes, Greek football jerseys, used or new furniture, old books, vinyls, antiques and inexpensive gifts to take home- this is where you will find them. Keep in mind that most stores are open Monday-Saturday 9am to 9pm and are closed on Sunday.

There are certain Sundays throughout the year whereby the stores are open- usually over Christmas, Easter, New Years or during sale season.

Athens Athens shopping Ermou Street Greece Greece holiday Greece travel Greek capital Greek travel Monastiraki

Your Curated Guide to Greece

11 Best Places for Shopping in Athens

If it’s shopping you are after, Athens has something for everyone. From international labels and cool concept stores to colourful marketplaces, stunning boutiques in chic neighbourhoods, and shopping outlets located just outside the city- there are endless options for every style and budget.

Athens’ Unique Politiko-Cuisine Charcuterie

In 2014 Evripidou St, the “spice street” of Athens, became even more sensorily exciting with the opening of the restaurant-deli Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani, located in a old lovely stone house with a pretty, naturally-lit courtyard.

Strolling Through Ermou Street

A paradise for shoppers, pedestrianised Ermou Street stretches over one and a half kilometres in the centre of Athens. This is the busiest and most expensive commercial street in Greece, making it a must-see destination.

Your Curated Guide to Greece

If it’s shopping you are after, Athens has something for everyone. From international labels and cool concept stores to colourful marketplaces, stunning boutiques in chic neighbourhoods, and shopping outlets located just outside the city- there are endless options for every style and budget.

In 2014 Evripidou St, the “spice street” of Athens, became even more sensorily exciting with the opening of the restaurant-deli Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani, located in a old lovely stone house with a pretty, naturally-lit courtyard.

A paradise for shoppers, pedestrianised Ermou Street stretches over one and a half kilometres in the centre of Athens. This is the busiest and most expensive commercial street in Greece, making it a must-see destination.

The Athens Guide