Athens during the Christmas holiday season is full of interesting and elegant shopping ideas. And Athenians have an unhealthy consumer zeal that results in packed retail streets in just about every neighborhood. Peter Poulos and his loyal dog, Mr. Stavros, produced a guide to the shopping opportunities in the Greek capital.
By Peter Poulos
For this list, Mr. Stavros and I have focused on downtown and curated a selection of some of our favorites. If you can’t visit in person we have included website links to most shops. Mr. Stavros wanted to include pet stores so we listed one of his favorite shops (MOMPSO) for quality leather leashes, equestrian items, cowbells, and donkey items.
Athens holiday shopping guide
Unique Greek gifts
There are a dizzying amount of museums in Athens so these are just a few with some of the best shops.
Benaki Museum Gift Shop
Especially well-curated jewelry, books and ceramics. Many excellent replicas of priceless museum pieces. Ian Collins’ recent biography of the artist John Craxton makes a particularly nice gift.
https://www.benakishop.gr
Cycladic Museum Shop
A wonderfully curated selection of books, replicas, and jewelry. Cycladic head replicas are outstanding.
https://cycladic.gr/en/shop
National Archaeological Museum Shop
Fantastic replicas of ancient masterpieces. A fun selection of baseball caps with ancient motifs.
Jewelry
Athens puts its best foot forward with jewelry and Greek designers are some of the best in the world. Below is a list of some of our favorites.
Lalaunis
This year’s good luck charm (gouri) is always a welcomed holiday gift.
Nikos Koulis
Bold modern luxury and power, exquisite design. Make sure not to miss the OUI Collection.
https://www.nikoskoulis.com
Yannis Sergakis
Delicate, understated design. Take a look at the new Immortelle Collection.
https://yannissergakis.com/
Ileana Makri
EyeM.
https://ileanamakri.com/
Pericles Kondylatos
Inspired by Greek history and mythology. Zeus Thunderbolt Pendant.
https://greek-designers.com/designer/pericles-kondylatos/
KAKURU
Fun, hip, organic design. Calma Collection.
https://kakuru.gr/el
Ioanna Liberta
Cutting-edge, beautifully made jewelry. Beautiful, sexy necklaces and rings. Don’t miss the Carnelian Fragile Heart necklace
Huffy
Super high-quality jewelry design. Caviar cufflinks for men are a great gift.
Alexandra Koumba
Multifaceted designer. Fern Earrings.
JEWELRY
Food, wines, sweets
Downtown Athens is a food lover’s paradise. Some of our favorites are listed here.
Ergon House
The mother ship of Greek gastronomy. Great products, excellent design. Great hotel with 38 rooms. Ergon’s branded products are delicious. Hot ketchup and feat cheese spread are musts!
Xatzi
Legendary sweets and savory items since 1908. Ekmek Kataifi
Carpo
Nuts, Chocolate and Coffee. Dark chocolate but clusters
https://carpoworld.com/carpo-kolonaki/
Heteroclito / Café and Wine Bar
Fantastic selection of Greek wines including organic brands. Don’t miss their fund gift shop.
Matsoukas
A dizzying selection of nuts, dried fruits, chocolates and sweets. Make your own gift box.
Aristokratikon
Chocolate heaven. Grace Kelly was a fan. Elegant store and exceptional packaging. Try their pistachio clusters.
https://aristokratikon.com/
Ariston
For over 100 years Ariston has been serving up Athens best savory and sweet pitas. Try one of their tiropitas right out of the oven at Voulis 10, Syntagma.
Pnyka
One of downtown Athens most famous bakeries. Try the homemade Dinkel bread, Maniatikes Diples at Petrakis 4.
Wild Souls
For the best nut butters, you will ever eat at crazy good prices. Try their crunchy almond butter.
https://www.wildsouls.gr/
Sweet Nolan
Bakery without compare. Try the Dark Chocolate Bread Loaf. You’ll thank me.
Antiques
Roussos Antiques and Gallery
A fine collection of antiques and antiquities. Fine Art Deco items and signet rings at Stadiou 3, Stoa Kalliga.
Martinos / Fine Art and Gallery
Art, Ceramics, Icons, Furniture
Fine Byzantine Icons, traditional Greek ceramics and wedding chests.
https://www.martinosart.gr/
Dimitris Vrettos
A great collection of interesting and affordable collectibles and antiques
www.vrettosantiques.gr
Takis S. Kamarinos Antiquarian Bookshop and Map and Prints
An excellent selection of framed and loose engravings from sites all over the Greek world.
www.oldprints.gr
Beauty
Korres
Excellent quality Greek Beauty Products. Try their Vetiver Eau de Toilette and Jamsine Body Lotion
https://gr.korres.com/el
Apivita
Excellent quality Greek Beauty Products. Daily conditioner is a lifesaver.
https://www.apivita.com/en/experience
Clothing
Zeus + Δione
Women’s clothes, sunglasses, jewelry, shoes and accessories. Check it all out because there is nothing not to like here.
https://www.zeusndione.com/en
Alexandrakis
Women’s clothing. The chicest store on Ermou Street. Don’t miss their beautiful selection of scarves.
Parthenis
Men’s and Women’s clothes. Perfect loungewear for men and women. Very fond of their towels.
https://orsalia-parthenis.gr/
Maison Zoulias
Women’s clothes, shoes and bags. If Audrey Hepburn shopped in Greece this is where she would buy all of her clothes, shoes and bags.
www.vassiliszoulias.com
Milk White
Fun, chic women’s clothes. Very creative window displays
https://www.milkwhite.gr/
Thalassa Collection
Men’s Ties, Pocket Squares, Oblongs. Men’s neckties covered in Greek letters are unique!
https://thalassacollection.com/
Koukoutsi
The best graphic t-shirts, bags and wallets. Check out their collection of t-shirts featuring iconic Greek buildings.
https://www.koukoutsi.net/
Panagiotis Bags
The perfect heavy green canvas sail cloth bags at Abynissias Square – Ask around. He is next to the public bathrooms.
Round 40
Men’s and Women’s clothing, hats and accessories. Round 40’s Greek-designed windbreakers are terrific.
https://round40.com/
Orphanidis
Mens and Women’s clothes. Excellent quality clothes with architectural lines. Selected items from contemporary designers worldwide.
https://www.instagram.com/orfanidisshop/?hl=en
Other fun stuff
Son of a Beac
Showroom in Kolonaki with luxurious beach towels, bags, pouches, and beach wraps.
https://sunofabeach.com/
TFA Ceramics
Ceramics, Art, Photographs. You’ll want to buy absolutely everything!
https://www.deannamaganias.com/index
MOMPSO
Equestrian Shop / Leather Goods. The best leather leashes with brass hardware for your dog.
https://mompso.com/
Diane Alexandre Ceramics
Connected with the nature of Greece. The Owl Series.
Ianos
Books / Notebooks / Gifts. Terrific Greek-made notebooks
https://www.ianos.gr
Fotagogos
Books / Art. Excellent books on Athens in Greek and English. Lovely space buried at the end of Noel Stoa at Kolokontronis 59B.
Ikaros
Books in Greek. Greek poetry books
https://ikarosbooks.gr/
Liana Vourakis
Jewelry / Gifts. Square porcelain plates with Greek-inspired designs
https://www.lianavourakis.com/en/jewelry
GB Corner Gifts
Many of the brands mentioned above but also included are some fun things from other Greek brands. The Anthologist has a collection of interesting items here. https://anthologist.com/
https://www.gbcornergifts.com/
Grand Bretagne Hotel
The Mati Shop
Unique Mati (evil eye) gifts and antiques. Tama of metal ships and pearls for your home.
https://matishop.gr/
Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation Museum Shop
Books, objects. Doesn’t everyone need a marble ruler?
https://www.piopmuseumshop.gr/en.aspx
Manopoulos
Amazing selection of chess and backgammon sets. Ask for Greek made backgammon sets.
https://www.manopoulos.com/
Syntagma Square Periptero (Kiosk)
The perfect place for a last-minute kitsch gift. Open 24 hours with a great selection of Key Chains at Syntagma Square.
Duty-free at Athens International Airport
If you’ve left the city center and are at the airport you can still purchase many good Greek items since mentioned companies have a presence at the airport, Korres, Apivita, Zeus + Dione, Ergon etc. Not included in the list above are Navarino Icons and TREA Brands and
exceptional Greek Olive oils, olives, honey and dips. Beautifully packaged.
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