The North Aegean is Greece's most authentically Greek island region, a scattered archipelago of forested mountains, medieval stone villages, Byzantine monasteries, and crystalline bays stretching along Turkey's western coast. Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria, and Lemnos each carry distinct identities shaped by centuries of Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, and ancient civilisation.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lesbos ouzo (Min or Barbayiannis brand)
Price: €8–15 (~$8.72–16.35) per bottle
Where: Distillery shops in Plomari or Mytilini town shops
Lesbos extra-virgin olive oil
Price: €8–15 (~$8.72–16.35) per litre
Where: Cooperative shops and markets in Mytilini
Chios mastic products (gum, liqueur, skincare)
Price: €5–30 (~$5.45–32.70)
Where: Mastihashop, Chios Town (Aplotaria 7); village producers in Pyrgi and Mesta
Samos Muscat wine
Price: €8–20 (~$8.72–21.80) per bottle
Where: Samos Wine Cooperative shop, Malagari, Samos (or any shop in Vathy)
Lemnos kalathaki cheese (vacuum-packed)
Price: €6–10 (~$6.55–10.90)
Where: Supermarkets and market stalls in Myrina
Lesbos sardines in olive oil
Price: €4–8 (~$4.36–8.72) per tin
Where: Any deli or supermarket in Mytilini
Chios loukoumades (honey doughnut) sweets
Price: €3–7 (~$3.27–7.63)
Where: Sweet shops (zacharoplasteion) in Chios Town
Lesbos embroidery (kerchief, tablecloth)
Price: €15–60 (~$16.35–65.40)
Where: Handicraft shops in Mytilini and Molyvos
Natural mastic gum (raw crystals)
Price: €6–12 (~$6.55–13.10) per 25g
Where: Mastihashop or village producers in Mastichochoria (Chios)
Local honey (Ikarian wild honey)
Price: €8–15 (~$8.72–16.35) per jar
Where: Village shops on Ikaria and Lesbos
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mytilini Tuesday/Saturday Market
Local produce, olives, olive oil, herbs, vegetables, honey
Where: Mytilini, Lesbos
Hours: Tuesday and Saturday 07:00–13:30
Chios Town Saturday Market
Mastic products, fresh figs, citrus, local vegetables
Where: Chios Town, Chios
Hours: Saturday 07:00–13:00
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Ermou Street & Central Market, Mytilini
Chios Town Old Market Quarter
Mastihashop, Chios Town
Vathy Harbour Street Shops, Samos
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
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Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Shop hours
- Detail
- Most shops observe the Greek siesta schedule: open 09:00–14:00 then 17:30–21:00. Many close on Sunday mornings. Tourist shops near harbours often stay open all day in summer.
- Custom
- Bargaining
- Detail
- Not customary in fixed-price shops. At outdoor markets, a friendly ask ('Boreis na kaneis kati?') sometimes gets a small discount but is never expected.
- Custom
- VAT refunds
- Detail
- Non-EU visitors can claim VAT refunds on purchases over €50 from shops displaying the Tax Free sign. Ask at the point of purchase for a Global Blue or Planet receipt.