Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Athens

Downtown Athens is essentially an open-air shopping center filled with unique boutiques, hidden gems and malls with must-try restaurants and street vendors along the way. The ancient and iconic Parthenon at the Acropolis can be glimpsed in certain areas of central Athens and there are excellent street art pieces around almost every corner.

Shopping malls have sprung up throughout Athens, creating a buyer's paradise with many spectacular places nearby to browse through. Search for essentials, a pair of gorgeous high heels, vinyl records and maybe a piece of pretty Byzantine jewelry. Don't forget about food shopping – spices and tasty treats made with traditional techniques can be found all over.

Keep reading to learn more about the diverse and fun shopping in Athens that will make you want to shop ‘til you drop. With food courts and movie theaters inside most shopping malls, you can easily spend an afternoon hitting the shops in the Greek capital. Make sure to store your shopping bags at an Athens storage locker once your hands get full. Don't let your purchases slow you down!

Popular Shopping Malls in Athens

Whether dashing in for a few things on your list or spending several hours exploring the department stores and souvenir shops, there are many shopping options in Athens to check out.

Golden Hall

• Address: 37 A Kifisias Avenue, Marousi, 151 23

Only about a 20-minute commute from central Athens, Golden Hall is best known for its designer shops and glass and mirror ceilings. There are plenty of things to see and do, including the Kapapoulos Fine Arts Gallery filled with Greek sculptures and paintings.

The Ianos Art Shop is a great place to find more budget-friendly souvenirs such as candles, cards, and small knick-knacks. Some of the jewelry stores are absolutely fantastic and you can spend hours browsing through the glass-fronted cases.

McArthur Glen & Smart Park

• Address: E. Poulaki, Spata, 190 04

Located near the Athens Zoo, this sensational outdoor mall is a great place to drop in when you are out and about with your family. It is also close to the beach and other fun attractions. McArthur Glen & Smart Park are two malls that are joined together.

McArthur Glen offers deep discounts on big brands such as Versace, Nike, and Guess, and Smart Park is filled with quaint shops and exciting activities. Stop by American Vintage for interesting finds and phenomenal discounts.

The Mall Athens

• Address: 35 Andrea Papandreou, Marousi 151 22

Head to Marousi, a suburb of Athens, and visit The Mall Athens. The enormous food court, movie theaters, arcade, and bowling alley make this mall the perfect place to spend the entire day. Shops offer everything from home goods to the latest European and American fashions.

When here, you have to stop by Terkenlis Bakery for a tsoureki, a buttered brioche loaf covered with white chocolate. Kids will love spending time at the Lego Play Factory or the toy emporium, Confuzio. There is something for everyone in the family to love at The Mall Athens.

Athens Metro Mall

• Address: 276 Vouliagmenis Avenue, Agios Dimitrios, 173 46

Conveniently located within steps of the Agios Dimitrios metro station, the Athens Metro Mall is filled with specialty shops. When shopping in Athens, this is a destination you've got to see. It is not an overly large mall but has pretty much everything you need.

You will find great, high-end stores such as Toi et Moi, Zara Home, and Public as well as Tsakiris Mallas, a wonderful shoe boutique with high quality shoes – you may find the high heels you are looking for! When you need a break, visit the Flocafe Expresso Room for a quick Greek coffee caffeine boost and awesome views of the city from its rooftop seating area.

The entire second floor is dedicated to playing with indoor and outdoor soft play surfaces, a roller skating rink, and a cinema complex. You can even drop your kids off in the supervised play area and spend time shopping alone. Then, it will be time to find more for the kids to do.

Designer Stores and Outlets in Athens

When you are shopping in Athens, be on the hunt for a great bargain on name brand items. That is why it is just wonderful to discover an outlet mall just minutes from downtown Athens. Be ready to peruse several designer stores and unique shops in Athens that offer remarkable deals.

Athens Designer Outlet (McArthur Glen)

• Address: Building Block E71, Yalou, 190 04, Spata, Athens

Browse the racks at McArthur Glen, also known as Athens Designer Outlet, and search for magnificent deals on designers such as Nike, Guess, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Many of these outlet stores offer discounts up to 70% off the retail price.

It is hard to believe picking out an outfit and getting it for a song. There is no better feeling than wearing something that makes you feel like a million bucks, but not having to spend a million on the outfit!

Each week there are new deals to be had at Athens Designer Outlet and you can stock up on the essentials or find the perfect gifts for friends and family back home. The latest trends are always on display, waiting for you to discover them.

Sophia

• Address: 15 Pindarou, Kolonaki, 106 73

This charming small shop offers an array of interesting items that you never knew you needed until you walked through the doors of Sophia. The intriguing miniature Greek statues make special gifts or add just the right touch to your own home’s décor. With all the unique finds, this store is one of the most popular tourist shops in the area.

You can even find bookends in all shapes, sizes, and colors, making you want to fill your bookshelves just so you can display a set of bookends. Check out their variety of mugs, totes, dinnerware, and even Greek art. The halogen lights shaped like lips are a particular favorite.

Forget Me Not

• Address: 100 Adrianou, Plaka, 105 58

Enjoy a little retail therapy when you visit Forget Me Not, a great place to take part in some souvenir shopping. This is not your traditional shop, instead, it is filled with one-of-a-kind creations and unique gift ideas. Many of the items found here are handmade and fabulous.

Pick up some natural cosmetics that have been made with olive oil from Greek olives. Try out the Ancient Greek Sandals and pick up a wooden spice container or two that actually sit on their side instead of on their bottom. The lower level is a treasure trove of clothing by Greek fashion designers.

Queen Calliope

• Address: 9 Irodotou, Kolonaki, 106 74

 Another marvelous small shop filled with vibrant color and a huge collection of items, Queen Calliope is a must-visit when in Kolonaki, just minutes from central Athens. The patterns and colors will draw you in and make you want to explore all the nooks and crannies of the shop.

The string of stuffed elephants hanging from the ceiling is festive, the bowl of worry beads beckons, and Calliope Karvounis’s photographs draw you into the fashion world. Try on a caftan bursting with color or pick out a piece, or two, of chunky handmade jewelry.

Vintage Stores in Athens

While you will probably not see any Greek beauty products when searching out vintage stores in Athens, you will discover fabulous finds when visiting second-hand or vintage stores. Antiquated and second hand purchases are now fashionable and when in central Athens, you can come across several amazing vintage shops.

Guadeloupe

• Address: 12 Protogenous, Athina, 105 54

Located in the Psirri neighborhood, a more high-end area, Guadeloupe offers some must-have and high-end items that will draw you in and make you want to keep searching for incredible finds.  Some might even call this shop an antique market.

 Best known for its secondhand or vintage clothing that is more exotic, you do not want to miss the chance to visit Guadeloupe. The shop is well-laid out making it easier to quickly search through the racks for items that are good prices and not found just anywhere.

Closet to Closet

• Address: 4 Eratosthenous, Athina, 116 35

Head to the residential district, Pangrati, and visit a charming vintage shop filled with high-end accessories such as Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Balenciaga. Retail therapy never looked as good as it does when you enter Closet to Closet!

You can find vintage shoes, purses, belts, and jewelry as well as apparel from name brand designers. All are moderately priced, making it super easy to buy gifts for friends and family and maybe something special for you, too.

Swap

• Address: Laodikis, Gilfada, 166 74

Search through Swap for name brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Gucci, or Hermes when you are visiting Glyfada, a neighborhood of Athens. Secondhand clothing and accessories are offered at affordable prices, allowing you to be fashionable on a budget.

Men and women can take advantage of Swap and find stunning vintage items to add to their wardrobe or complete an outfit. Bring along a couple of large bags, you will probably find several wonderful items when browsing through the racks and shelves of Swap.

Yesterday’s Bread

Address: 87 Kallidromiou, Athina, 106 83

 You have the opportunity to shop in the Netherlands without ever leaving Greece when you visit Yesterday’s Bread! This little shop imports secondhand or vintage items directly from the Netherlands and offers interesting and unique items. It is kind of like an antique market for Scandinavian goods.

The selection of men’s tweed suits is simply mind-boggling but the funky dresses that date back to the 60s and 70s will really grab your attention. Pick up a pair of previously owned Converse sneakers and maybe even a few pieces of jewelry or a handbag to take back home for gifts.

Popular Shopping Areas in Athens

Visit Athens for its history, landmarks, and shopping and you will definitely not be disappointed. While there seem to be shops around every corner in Athens, there are several particular areas that have many stores, making it easy to spend the day.

Whether you are searching for shopping malls, adorable boutiques, or street markets such as the Monastiraki Flea Market, you will definitely find a way to immerse yourself in some retail therapy when in the city.

Monastiraki Flea Market

The biggest flea market in the city is held every Sunday in the Monastiraki neighborhood. Here you can find fun, practical, and sometimes downright weird items for sale. Dig deep and find dusty antiques, brilliant collector’s items, clothing, accessories, and so much more.

The market is set up in a pedestrian-only area and vendors set up their booths along the sidewalks while shops throw open their doors and offer deep discounts on several items. Search for leather accessories and clothing by Greek designers while here.

Ermou Street

One of the more popular shopping districts in Athens, Ermou Street is a pedestrian-only street that stretches from the Syntagma Metro Station to the Monastiraki Metro Station. Both sides of the street are lined with quaint shops and bustling eateries.

Name brand stores such as American Eagle, Zara, and H&M can be found as well as Toi et Moi and Staff Jeans. Wear comfortable shoes, you will be doing a lot of walking as you explore Ermou Street.

Plaka

Head over to old town Athens for an afternoon of kitschy souvenir shopping in the Plaka neighborhood. Stroll along Adrianou Street and check out the charming shops that line the street.

Search for Greek souvenirs and memorabilia that will make lovely gifts and keepsakes. The shopkeepers are friendly and always trying to make a sale, but do not offend by trying to haggle too much. The prices here are pretty reasonable! Plaka is a wonderful place to stay in Athens, too.

Kolonaki

Filled with high-end stores, Kolonaki is one of the most-posh areas in Athens. Check out Tsakalof Street and P. Anagnostopoulou Street for several fancy shops and boutiques filled with one-of-a-kind creations and the latest in Greek fashion.

Take a leisurely stroll along Voukourestiou Street, a pedestrian-only walkway filled with major, name-brand stores such as Bulgari, Prada, Dior, and Gucci. Jewelers such as Kessaris or Lalaounis carrying local designers as well as Cartier can be found here.

Shop 'Til You Drop

Shopping in Athens is such fun, even when you are just exploring a department store. Anything you do in Greece can be super entertaining, that is just the way the culture handles day-to-day living. Whether you are searching for souvenir t-shirts or a fashionable outfit for a dinner date, you will find it in one of the many shops or boutiques.

Grab your wallet and hit the streets for a day of searching for the best deals, updating your wardrobe, or hunting for the perfect hostess gift. Work up an appetite and then look for the best street food in the city!