Practical information : Treat yourself (& others) Athens
Timetable
Each neighborhood has its own specialty: hardware, clothing, home decor, souvenirs, second-hand goods, spices, local products... Apart from the international brands duplicated in all the European capitals and the Greek supermarkets, you will discover an astonishing choice of Greek designers' showrooms at the forefront of what is done in the field of ready-to-wear and custom-made products. But beware, in Athens, the opening hours of the stores are a real headache! As a rule, everything is open in the morning until 2:30 pm. Some shops then take a siesta, to open again, fresh and ready, between 5pm and 8:30pm, mainly on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Saturdays, the shopping session ends around 5pm-7pm, at which time the streets of the capital are empty until the following Monday.
To find your way around, remember: Kolonaki = luxury; Syntagma = ready-to-wear, beauty and shoes; Monastiraki and Psirri = flea markets, grocery stores, central covered market; Plaka = souvenirs. Enjoy your shopping!
Budget & Tips
The majority of businesses, stores and large stores accept credit cards. However, you should always remember to have a small amount of cash with you when you visit small shops.
Sales
The summer sales period in Greece usually starts on the second Monday of July and lasts until the end of August. In winter, the sales start on the second Monday of January and last until the end of February. Several offers are very often announced, which last for about ten days in late May and October.
What's very local
All the food products that can be found in specialized stores are recommended and good to bring back in your luggage: cheeses, olive oil, olives, honey, herbs, herbal teas, spices and of course ouzo or raki. Note that several shops have vacuum packing machines. The handicrafts are famous: jewelry, reproductions of museum objects, Byzantine icons, ceramics, tanners' products, fabrics, komboloïs..
Tourist traps
The souvenir stores in Athens are overflowing with all kinds of objects. Try to trust your personal taste and to be sure of the quality, you should trust the prices: handicrafts are a bit more expensive and they are always signed. You should also look at the objects offered in museum stores: they are faithful reproductions of the best quality. Food products such as oil, honey or herbs, of excellent quality, can always be found in specialized stores and stores.