Time Out

Athens

## Shopping

Whether you’re searching for an elegant designer gown, a cheap and cheerful bikini, a traditional set of clinking worry beads or a box of handmade chocolates, Athens can provide everything you desire and more.
The traditionally moneyed district of Kolonaki, its northern sibling Kifisia and south suburban cousin Glyfada boast the most expensive designer boutiques selling the latest Greek and international fashions. The city’s central street, Ermou, although home to some of the most expensive real estate in Europe, tends to attract more affordable high-street clothing and footwear brands.
In the warren of roads between Ermou and Kolokotroni are excellent haberdashery shops and bargain clothing, while down towards Athinas the focus switches to hardware and food, culminating in the vast meat and fish markets and their surrounding satellite stalls selling cheeses, cold meats, herbs and spices and preserved vegetables.
Further into Psyrri, the Eastern immigrant influence manifests itself in the numerous shops selling Indian, Pakistani and Chinese foods and clothing. Plaka and Monastiraki are the main tourist areas, with shops selling a variety of souvenir items, from leather bags and designer rip-off sunglasses to flokati rugs and traditional backgammon boards via antique furnishings and the ubiquitous priapic satyrs.If you’re after home furnishings, Athens has countless furniture and accessory shops. Leof Vouliagmenis and its parallel Ilioupoleos are lined with an abundance of mainly locally made beds, lights, tables and sofas, while Kolonaki, Kifisia and the southern suburbs offer more expensive European imports.

| Why go?
| City ratings
| Sightseeing
| Eating & drinking
| Where to stay
| Nightlife
| Getting around
| Plane talk
| Contacts
| Photo
| Map
| Buy more City Guides
| Back to Main

© 2004 Time Out Communications Ltd

Developed by Landmat