Greece offers a captivating blend of ancient history, stunning islands, and Mediterranean culture. From the iconic Acropolis in Athens to the whitewashed villages of Santorini, this sun-soaked destination combines archaeological wonders with pristine beaches and world-class cuisine.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Hand-painted plates and pottery
Traditional Greek pottery decorated with motifs from ancient vase paintings, olive branches, and mythological scenes. Made by skilled artisans on Crete, Rhodes, and Sifnos.
Price: $15-80
Where: Monastiraki flea market and Plaka shops, Athens
Gold and silver filigree jewellery
Exquisite handcrafted filigree work inspired by ancient Greek designs, available as earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Ioannina in northern Greece is the traditional centre for this craft.
Price: $20-200
Where: Voukourestiou Street, Athens; Ioannina old bazaar
Thyme honey from Mount Hymettus
World-renowned dark honey produced by bees foraging on wild thyme around Athens. Intensely fragrant and sold in beautiful ceramic jars with traditional labels.
Price: $10-30
Where: Varvakios Central Market, Athens; airport duty free
Hand-woven Cretan rugs and tablecloths
Colourful woven textiles featuring traditional geometric patterns unique to each Cretan village. Kilimi rugs and embroidered tablecloths make distinctive home decor gifts.
Price: $25-150
Where: Chania Old Town, Crete; village craft shops
Mastiha (mastic resin) products
Unique resin harvested only in southern Chios island, sold as crystals, liqueur, chewing gum, and cosmetics. The distinctive pine-like flavour is unlike anything else in the world.
Price: $8-40
Where: Mastiha Shop, Syntagma Square, Athens; Chios island
Kalamata olives and Greek olive oil
Premium extra-virgin olive oil from Crete and Kalamata olives in elegant gift packaging. Greece produces some of the world's finest olive oil, excellent for cooking and gifting.
Price: $12-45
Where: Varvakios Market, Athens; airport shops
Evil eye (mati) talismans
The traditional blue glass evil eye charm is ubiquitous in Greece and worn as protection from negative energy. Available as jewellery, keychains, wall decorations, and figurines.
Price: $3-25
Where: Monastiraki flea market; souvenir shops throughout Greece
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Varvakios Central Market (Athens Central Market)
Athens' historic indoor market dating to 1886 with separate halls for meat, fish, and produce. The meat and fish sections are a vivid spectacle of Greek culinary life, surrounded by spice stalls and delicatessens.
Where: Athinas Street 42, Athens 105 51
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Monastiraki Flea Market
Sprawling flea market beneath the Acropolis selling antiques, vintage clothing, souvenirs, and curios. Sundays are best when the market expands along surrounding streets with more dealers and atmosphere.
Where: Ifestou Street, Monastiraki, Athens
Hours: Daily 9AM-8PM (busiest Sunday morning)
Chania Municipal Market (Agora)
Cruciform covered market built in 1913 modelled on Marseille's market, with 70 stalls selling Cretan specialties. A great spot for honey, herbs, olive oil, cheese, and raki from local producers.
Where: Splanzia, Chania, Crete
Hours: Mon, Wed, Sat 8AM-2PM; Tue, Thu, Fri 8AM-7PM
Modiano Market
Thessaloniki's beloved covered market dating to 1922 with butchers, fishmongers, and delicatessens. The surrounding streets form a broader market district excellent for fresh produce and northern Greek specialties.
Where: Ermou Street 34, Thessaloniki
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-4PM
Kapani Market
Oldest open-air market in Thessaloniki dating to Byzantine times, now packed with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to clothing. Excellent for budget shopping and authentic local flavour.
Where: Komninon Street, Thessaloniki
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-3PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Ermou Street
Athens' main pedestrian shopping street running from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, lined with international brands and Greek chains. The street fills with street performers on weekends and is the city's busiest commercial artery.
Best for: International fashion brands, mainstream retail
Voukourestiou Street
Athens' answer to Bond Street or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, featuring flagship stores of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and top Greek designers. Elegant neoclassical buildings house the finest luxury retail in Greece.
Best for: Luxury brands, designer jewellery, high-end fashion
Plaka
The oldest neighbourhood in Athens is packed with souvenir shops, jewellery boutiques, and artisan workshops selling leather goods, ceramics, and traditional crafts. Prices are higher than markets but quality is generally reliable.
Best for: Greek souvenirs, jewellery, hand-painted ceramics
Pireos Street (Keramikos)
Emerging design district near Keramikos with contemporary Greek designers, concept stores, and antique dealers. Athens' creative scene has concentrated here with galleries and independent boutiques in converted industrial buildings.
Best for: Greek design, contemporary fashion, antiques
Tsimiski Street, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki's main shopping boulevard flanked by elegant neoclassical buildings, hosting both Greek chains and international brands. Greeks from throughout northern Greece shop here for fashion, accessories, and homeware.
Best for: Fashion, accessories, cosmetics, everyday shopping
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Athens Metro Mall
Modern shopping complex near Athens Ring Road with over 130 stores spanning fashion, electronics, and homeware. A large food court and cinema make it a full-day destination especially popular with Athenian families.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-8PM
The Mall Athens
Athens' largest shopping mall in Maroussi with five floors of retail including H&M, Zara, Apple, and major Greek chains. A rooftop restaurant terrace and extensive food court complement the comprehensive retail offering.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
Mediterranean Cosmos, Thessaloniki
Northern Greece's largest retail complex with 200+ stores, a multiplex cinema, food hall, and children's entertainment centre. Located near Thessaloniki Airport and easily reached by road from the city centre.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-8PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at flea markets like Monastiraki but not in regular shops or supermarkets
At the Monastiraki flea market, offering 70-80% of the asking price is a reasonable starting point
Bundle purchases to negotiate better deals - buying multiple items from one vendor improves your position
Shopping in the off-season (November-March) gives more negotiating power as vendors want the business
Cash payments often result in small discounts since vendors avoid credit card fees
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiquities cannot be exported without official permits - illegal export carries severe penalties. Items purchased at licensed shops come with documentation.
Tax Refund: VAT refund (up to 23%) available for purchases over €50 at shops displaying the Tax Free Shopping sign. Request form at point of purchase and get stamped at the airport customs desk.
Duty Free: EU citizens: no duty-free limits on goods for personal use within EU. Non-EU travellers: tobacco and alcohol allowances apply. Check your home country's import limits.
Shipping: Major shops can arrange international shipping. EL-TA (Hellenic Post) and DHL offices in major cities offer reliable international parcel services.