A Traveler’s Guide
(Ed. note, updated Aug 09′)
This list includes: Bettina, Sotris, Christoforos Kotentos, Syntagma Square, Tsakalof Street, Soho Soho, Sotris, & Monastiraki Flea Market
Shopping in Athens is one of many activities that tourists and visitors enjoy. Indeed, shopping is known for its therapeutical benefits and shopping in Athens can be a very pleasurable experience.
Time spent in Athens shopping is an interesting and enriching experience because of the diversity of places to shop. In some cases you may even feel you’ve gone back in time, to Ancient Athens.
This Guide Covers:
- Shopping for Trendsters
- List of the Can’t Miss Shops & Markets
- Shopping for Antique-Lovers
Shopping for Trendsters
If chic stuff is what you’re after then head to Kolonaki, the area known for shops selling branded goods, trendy malls, uber cool coffee shops, etc. In fact Tsakalof Street in Kolonaki is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.
You can spend a lot of time in the Syntagma Square area gazing at displays of fur jackets gloves, coats, etc. You may get some good bargains on hand-crafted items made from clay, ceramic, and bronze. This is also the place to sample Greek food specialties dished out from a number of small shops.
The city’s most famous shopping neighborhood is Kolonaki, where international labels have their boutiques. You can also find authentic local shops, like Bettina and Sotris, as well as the atelier of fashion designer Christoforos Kotentos (by appointment).
Some of the Best Shops:
Bettina, Trend-setting Labels for Men & Women
Details: Fashions insiders, including designer Christoforos Kotentos, love this Kolonaki store. The boutique carries a well-edited selection of modern trend-setting labels and accessories for men and women.
Christoforos Kotentos, Sext Feminine Fashion
Details: 30-something Christoforos Kotentos launched his own label in 1996 after studying at the London College of Fashion and cutting his design teeth on the runway as a model (he was under exclusive contract with designer Vivienne Westwood).
Kotentos quickly emerged as a designer to watch and known for sexy feminine fashion that include flowy, silky dresses and dramatic silhouettes. Celebrity fans include Rhianna and Cameron Diaz. Visitors to Athens can arrange appointment to his atelier and showroom in the Psiri neighborhood.
Read Christoforos’ own list of his favorite places in Athens
Soho Soho
Details: Fashion designers from around the world are represented at this chic boutique in the Kifissia neighborhood. There’s something for every globetrotting fashionista.
Sotris
Details: Located in the Kolonaki neighborhood, this high-end concept store carries such designers as Prada, Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto, as well as Greek fashion designer Angelos Frentzos. You’ll find a decadent assortments of perfumes, books, art house magazine and CDs on sale.
Shopping for Antique-Lovers
If you are into antiques then the places to be in Athens shopping for such things are Kolonaki, Syntagma, and Monastiraki Flea Market.
More on Monastiraki Flea Market
Visitors can find everything from inexpensive souvenirs to top-notch antiques at this sprawling market, named after Monastiraki Square where the subway station is located. It’s open daily but on Sunday it heats up with bargain hunters and a congenial, bazaar-like ambiance.
It’s also a great place to be if you wish to soak in the experience of a colorful open-air market and haggle on the prices of old furniture, greek music, glass and silver, discarded but working appliances, etc. In short, a real flea market. There is also a nice selection of Athens maps for getting around the various shopping areas.
The Ermou Walkway is a pedestrian-only street with shops lined on both sides. Here you can get branded items as well as good deals on clothing and accessories, particularly for women.
