The cobblestone shopping streets in central Athens are closed to all motor vehicles, making it easy to stroll and shop. Here’s what to look for while you’re shopping in Athens.
Ermou Street – Hermes Street
The longest shopping street in Athens, Ermou Street connects Syntagma Square and Monastiraki. Ermou is much like any crowded shopping avenue or mall throughout the world, and you should shop Ermou if you’re looking for mid-range fashion brands or department store apparel, souvenirs, off-brand items, or costume jewelry. Halfway down the street, Kapnikarea Church, built in the 12th century, stands out from the surrounding commercial buildings.
Monastiraki
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Monastiraki is the anti-Ermou Street. The Monastiraki Flea Market, sprawled out before Monastiraki Square is one of the more colourful districts in Athens. Much of the flea market’s attraction comes from the eccentric characters hawking their wares. You can purchase nearly anything imaginable in the market, however it’s particularly notable as a great place to buy music and movies. Sunday is the flea market’s busiest day, but even on a mid-week afternoon you can have a fascinating shopping adventure around and through a variety of idiosyncratic little bazaar-style shops carrying designer fashion, local crafts or just downright junk, with all sorts of odd bits and pieces in between.
Plaka
No trip to Athens is complete without a visit to the Plaka. Plaka is a hotspot for shopping and people-watching at night in Athens. Vendors set up blankets in the middle of the avenue and lay out designer knockoffs for sale. You should carefully inspect the quality of items from these vendors. You’ll find a lot of souvenir and specialty shops in the area along with folk art, paintings by local artists, fine jewlery, musical instruments, and clothing. In Plaka, shop around and compare prices if you want to get the best deal. Some vendors are open to negotiation and bargaining while others are not.
For Shoe lovers
Shoes and handbags are a favourite part of each woman’s wardrobe. If you love to buy shoes, visit Ippokratous and Charilaou Trikoupi streets which are the ideal destination for shopping downtown. You will also find many shoe shops in Ermou street close to Syntagma square. If you look for hand made bags or leather sandals, those found in Adrianou Street shops are top quality! So, stroll around the city streets, the ideal pair of shoes is somewhere out there waiting for you…