Shopping is possible everywhere in Athens and there is something for every taste.
In Athens, the stores are usually open until 21:00 in the evening, but are closed at noon for a few hours.
To give you a rough idea of the shopping streets, we have put together a selection for you.
1. Ermou Street
Ermou Street connects Syntagma Square with Monastiraki. It can be easily reached by the red metro line 2 and the blue line 3, Syntagma stop or by the green line 1 and the blue line 3 via Monastiraki stop.
The street is one of the five most expensive shopping streets in Europe and was recently ranked 10th among the world's most expensive shopping streets.
It is also home to the famous shopping center Attica, The Department Store, which is said to be the Harrods of Athens. Porsche, Prada, Guess, Armani, Burberry, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Cartier, Brooks Brothers, Kalogirou, Links of London, Philipp Plein, Under Armour and Replay as well as Escada are just some of the famous brands that can be found here. In total, over 850 brands are offered here, spread over 8 floors. The café-restaurant on the top floor offers a breathtaking view over the city.
In the middle of Ermou Street is the 11th century Kapnikarea Church, built on the remains of an ancient temple.
2. Mitropoleos Street
Starting from Syntagma Square, Mitropoleos Street runs parallel to Ermou Street. Although not as famous as its famous neighbor, Mitropoleos Street also offers numerous shopping opportunities.
Here stores with shoes and handbags line up, many small Greek boutiques are waiting for visitors.
For those who don't like the crowds on Ermou Street, this parallel street is a good alternative.
You can reach Mitropoleos Street easily with the red metro line 2 and with the blue line 3, stop Syntagma.
3. Monastiraki
Monastiraki takes its name from the 10th century church, which is located right next to the metro station of the same name. Monastiraki can be easily reached by the green metro line 1 and the blue line 3.
The area is known for its many quaint, small stores and boutiques where many a bargain can be found. Merchandise ranges from clothing and vinyl to accessories, paintings, costume jewelry and jewels.
This is also the area where you can buy fur coats, vests, leather goods and related accessories all year round.
Especially famous is the flea market of Monastiraki, which, unlike other flea markets, is open every day. If you are interested in Greek musical instruments and would like to have a bouzouki as a souvenir, you will certainly find what you are looking for here.
Monastiraki is part of the historic old town of Athens and was the business center of the city for centuries.
If you want to combine shopping with sightseeing, this is the place to be. The historic Hadrian's Library and the former Tzistarakis Mosque from the 18th century are located directly on the square, with the Acropolis in the background.
4. Plaka
Plaka is the oldest district of Athens at the foot of the Acropolis. It is located between the metro stations Acropolis and Monastiraki and can be easily reached by the green metro line 1 and the blue line 3, stop Monastiraki. The red line 2 goes to the Acropolis stop.
Here you can find souvenirs in many small stores. There are numerous handicraft stores offering filigree jewelry made of silver or gold, as well as handmade ceramic jewelry, in addition to the classic clothing boutiques. In addition, there are all kinds of tourist souvenirs.
Many of the houses here stand on old walls that date back to ancient times. The facades of the pastel-colored houses are mostly from the 18th century and are overgrown by colorful bougainvillea in summer. Until the modern urban planning of the 19th century, Plaka was the center of the city. After that, Plaka gradually developed into the taverna district it presents itself as today.
The winding streets with the old cobblestones convey a romantic charming flair, music sounds on the sidewalks, in some taverns Sirtaki is danced.
Due to its proximity to the Acropolis, a visit to Plaka is also a good idea after sightseeing, and if you feel like it, you can simply go to a tavern after shopping.
5. Kolonaki
The central neighborhood of Kolonaki is one of the oldest districts of Athens and the chicest part of the city. The area is known for its many designer stores, antique stores and art galleries, as well as its exquisite restaurants and trendy cocktail bars. The district scores with its variety of international labels as well as independent Greek designers.
Here you can also find the most famous jewelers of the city, including KESSARIS and Ilias Lalaounis. In addition, there are designer boutiques of Louis Vuitton, Hermes, D&G, to name a few.
The most famous streets of Kolonaki are Tsakalof, Voukourestiou and Skoufa.
6. Tsakalof Street
Tsakalof Street is considered one of the six most expensive shopping streets in the world. It is located in the noble district of Kolonaki and represents a small world of its own.
The most luxurious boutiques are located in the pedestrianized Tsakalof Street, the most expensive footwear is sold here and the most chic restaurants and cafes are located here.
The famous Café DaCapo has always been visited by politicians and journalists, today the clientele is a mixture of politicians, fashion fans and businessmen. Seeing and being seen is important here and many a big business deal is said to have been made here.
The pedestrian zone takes its name from Athanasios Tsakalof, who was one of the founding members of the Filiki Eteria, the "Society of Friends", a Greek patriotic organization that resisted Ottoman rule.
7. Voukourestiou
The Voukourestiou pedestrian street is the epitome of luxury par excellence. Since the 1950s, the street has been known for its stores selling trendy European and American goods; chic shopping has always been the order of the day here.
The elegantly glittering windows of labels of international haute couture such as Hermès, Dior, Cartier, Prada, Tod's Boutique, Louis Vuitton and Bulgari, to name a few, immediately captivate the visitor. Unlike some other luxury shopping streets, well-known Greek brands can also be found here, including LaLaounis, Venetia Vildiridis, Ioannis Patilis, Imanoglou, Marco Bicego and Kassis.
Almost all the world-famous Greek jewelers are represented here, but also bookstores with large foreign language assortments and many well-known Athens galleries.
Along the street you will find a large variety of cafes, restaurants and bars. These are often regular haunts of the politicians, journalists and lawyers who reside in the area.
The pedestrian street was named after the Treaty of Bucharest, which ended the Second Balkan War in 1913.
8. Skoufa
Skoufa leads north from Kolonaki Square. Here, too, there are numerous classy boutiques as well as chic cafes and restaurants.
The stores and boutiques in the neoclassical houses offer a mix of international brands and luxury brands. There are numerous jewelry stores and designer boutiques. Many big and famous designers have opened a branch here with their brand products.
Numerous restaurants and cafes invite you to linger, and the colorful offer is a perfect composition of Athenian flair and cosmopolitan ambience, the price level is also here in the upper range.
If you don't feel like shopping anymore, you can go to the Skoufa Gallery, which is located in the middle of Skoufa Street. The gallery displays works by historically significant contemporary artists of the 1930s. Its goal is to showcase the emerging generation of Greek artists at the time.
The pedestrian street takes its name from Nicholas Skoufa, who was one of the founding members of Filiki Eteria, the "Society of Friends," a Greek patriotic organization that resisted Ottoman rule.
In the 60s and 70s, there were numerous gatherings of great intellectuals, poets and writers here.