Shopping in Athens
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To Pantopoleion
From Santorini capers to boutique olive oils and rusks from Crete, this excellent store has traditional food products from around Greece. There are jars of sweets, a large selection of Greek wines and spirits, and a fresh deli if you can’t wait until you get home.
reviewed
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B
Koukos
A great collection of Italian pewter picture frames, platters, jugs, replicas of Greek monk’s hip flasks and other items. Koukos also stocks a range of antique ceramics and original silver handcrafted jewellery.
reviewed
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Monastiraki Flea Market
Wandering through Athens’ flea market is an eclectic shopping experience. This is the place to stumble on anything from that rare vinyl record, military boots, old books, antiques, to furniture and collectables. It’s in its element on Sundays, when vendors line up along Adrianou, the cafés and restaurants reach bursting point and the area takes on a festive atmosphere. Having outgrown its capacity, more mainstream traders have moved to the big Sunday flea market in Thisio.
reviewed
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D
Athens Central Market
The hectic, colourful Athens agora (market; also referred to as the Varvakios Agora) is the highlight of the vibrant Athinas market district. It’s a sensory and gastronomic delight, with an amazing range of olives, spices, cheeses and deli treats. The historic meat market, with hanging carcasses illuminated by swinging light bulbs, is a surreal highlight. The tavernas in and around the market are worth seeking out.
reviewed
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E
Oikotexnia
You'll find top-quality merchandise here, and your money goes to a good cause - the preservation and promotion of traditional Greek handicrafts (the gallery is run by the Institute of Social Protection). There are knotted carpets in authentic Greek designs, kilims, flokatis, needlepoint rugs, tableclothes and embroidered cushion covers.
reviewed
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F
Sunday Flea Market
The big Sunday Flea Market takes place at the end of Ermou, towards Gazi, where traders peddle their stuff from the crack of dawn and you can find some bargains, interesting collectables and kitsch delights among the junk. This is the place to test your haggling skills. It winds up around 14:00.
reviewed
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G
Vinyl Microstore
A drop-in centre for serious music fans who can sample the eclectic indie, alternative and dance vinyl releases and CDs over a coffee. An online radio station broadcasts live from the mezzanine. The owners organise party tours, art exhibitions in the basement and an indie music festival.
reviewed
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Mastiha Shop
Mastic, the medicinal resin from rare mastic trees produced only on the island of Chios, is the key ingredient in everything in this store, including smartly packaged natural skin products, essential oils, food products, pharmaceuticals and a liqueur that’s divine when served chilled.
reviewed
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Lesvos Shop
As well as a large selection of ouzo (29 kinds at last count), this store sells traditional products made by local women’s cooperatives on the islands of Lesvos and Limnos, including biscuits and sweet fruit preserves. There’s also a great range of cheese, honey and other goodies.
reviewed
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Mesogaia
Foodies will love the range of traditional products from all over Greece, including cheeses, yoghurts and biscuits for immediate consumption or take-home jars of thyme honey with walnuts, olive oil, pasteli (honey and sesame sweets) and other edible treats.
reviewed
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Christos Veloudakis
This boutique is all about drama and impact, from the long red velvet curtains to the designer garments on display. If you're after fashion with a twist, come on in. Men's and women's clothing for day and night are all there and ready to sweet-talk your credit card.
reviewed
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Melissinos Art
Athens’ famous sandal-maker and poet, septuagenarian Stavros Melissinos, has pretty much handed the reins to artist son Pantelis, who continues making classic leather sandals modelled on ancient styles, and adds his own touch to more than 32 designs.
reviewed
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M
Goutis
Packed into this tiny treasure trove of a store you’ll find an eclectic collection of antiques and collectables, mostly from Greece and France, including jewellery worn with traditional dress, prints, silverware, royal crockery and embroideries.
reviewed
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N
Antiqua
Serious Greek and European antiques dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries are on sale here, along with a good selection of silverware, clocks, paintings, icons and first edition prints of 19th century Athens. Expect to pay accordingly.
reviewed
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Centre of Hellenic Tradition
Upstairs in this arcade are great examples of traditional ceramics, sculptures, woodcarvings, paintings and folk art from prominent Greek artists. The quaint café- ouzerie has Acropolis views, and there’s an art gallery upstairs.
reviewed
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Metropolis Music
This music haven is well stocked with Greek and international CDs, with extensive specialist sections. Their bigger Greek selection is in the dedicated Greek music store a few doors down and they sell tickets to many show around town.
reviewed
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Christoforos Kotentos
You’ll have to be buzzed up to the 4th-floor atelier and workshop of this hot local designer, whose evening and casual clothing range is sold in Milan, New York and Tokyo. Designer Vasso Consola is also based in the same warehouse.
reviewed
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Astrolavos Art Life
This trendy art store has small sculptures and works by local artists, while the gallery downstairs sells bigger works by well-known contemporary Greek and Greek-American artists. There is an exhibition space on the ground level.
reviewed
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Vraki
As close as you get to a men’s lingerie store, quirky Vraki has funky underwear, T-shirt ensembles and casual sportswear. The changing artful window displays and novel gym lockers and showers in the change rooms are a highlight.
reviewed
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T
Piraeus Flea Market
This busy Sunday market around the streets along the railway line has everything from cheap clothing to tools. For antiques and collectables, you’re better off scouring the area’s excellent antique shops during the week.
reviewed
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Kalogirou
Shoe fetishists will love the offerings in colours and styles to blow the imagination and budget, with top international designers and Kologirou’s own creations. Avoid the Saturday morning rush by the boutique set.
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Mandragoras
In the heart of the central food market, this superb delicatessen has one of the finest selections of gourmet delights, from cheeses and ready-made mezedhes to spices, olive oils and preserved foods to take home.
reviewed
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Elena Votsi
Votsi is renowned for her original, big and bold designs using exquisite semiprecious stones, which sell in New York and London. Her profile was boosted when she was chosen to design the new Olympic Games medal.
reviewed
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Greece is for Lovers
This is a tiny showroom where young designers play on the kitsch, from Corinthian column dumb-bells, crocheted iPod covers and Aphrodite bust candles. Look for the giant Grecian sandal skateboard in the window.
reviewed
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Y
Mofu
Retro fans will adore the eclectic range of largely ‘50s, ’60s and ‘70s furniture, lamps and odd designer collectables in this friendly store. It’s happy to arrange shipping if you just have to have that piece.
reviewed