Ermou Street is one of the most popular and busiest shopping streets in Athens.
As one of the five most expensive shopping streets in Europe, Ermou Street was recently ranked 10th among the world's most expensive shopping streets. It connects Syntagma Square with Monastiraki and is about 3 kilometers long.
Find all the important information about this famous shopping street here, including things to do, how to get there and the history of this street.
Things to Do on Ermou Shopping Street
On Ermou Street, the luxury shops are mainly located in the area around Sytagma Square. Fine boutiques by Greek and international designers alternate with exclusive cafés and restaurants.
Here is also the famous Attica shopping center, The Department Store, which is said to be the Harrods of Athens. A total of over 850 brands are offered here, spread over 8 floors. The café-restaurant on the top floor offers a breathtaking view over the city.
Ermou Street is known for the many shoe shops that can be found here. If you are looking for handmade Greek sandals, you will definitely find what you are looking for.
The further down the road towards Monastiraki, the cheaper the shops become more prevalent. Well-known fashion chains such as Zara, Mango and Mark & Spenser have branches here.
A look into the numerous small side streets is as interesting as it is worthwhile. Here you will find many boutiques that sell high-quality silverware, such as candle holders, vases, mugs and jewelry.
Entrance, Tickets and Tours
There is no entrance fee to visit Ermou Street
How to Get to Ermou Shopping Street
It is easily accessible by metro red line 2 and blue line 3, Syntagma station or by green line 1 and blue line 3 to Monastiraki station.
History and Facts about Ermou Shopping Street
As part of the redesigned city plan drawn up in 1833, Ermou Street was to become the main thoroughfare of modern Athens. However, the course of the street was blocked by the Kapnikarea Church, which is located approximately in the middle of Ermou Street. Therefore, it was to be demolished in 1834. Eventually, however, Ludwig von Bayern was able to convince his son Otto, the king of Greece, that the church was of great art-historical importance. It was built in the 11th century on the remains of a Greek temple. Thus, Ermou Street was laid out bypassing the church.
Today, Ermou Street is as popular with locals as it is with tourists. The connection between sight seeing and shopping is easy to make. After visiting the Greek Parliament at Syntagma Square, why not just explore Ermou Street? From Monastiraki you can of course visit the Greek Agora and the Acropolis.
If you want, you can also simply enjoy an evening in one of the numerous taverns with a view of the famous building.