Shopping in Athens

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Although the main attractions for visitors to Athens are the historic Acropolis and Parthenon there are some interesting shopping options too.

The main shopping centre of Athens is in the triangle between Ermou Street, Aiolou Street and Academias Street. The chic shopping areas are Glyfada and Kolonaki and on Fokionos Negri Street.

For souvenir shopping head for Plaka or along Adrianou Street: there you can buy replicas of Greek statues, busts, and old coins as well as the traditional Greek shadow puppets. Also in Plaka is Vassilopoulos, Athens’ biggest department store. There is also a huge department store in Panepistimiou Street called ‘Attica’.

There is an excellent flea market in Monastiraki (open daily) and there are also many shops in that area selling antiques, objets d'art, traditional musical instruments (such as bouzoukis and liras) and second hand books in many languages. Athinas Street is known for herb sellers and the main fish and meat market of Athens housed in a building dating from 1886. Elegant shoe shops can be found in Kolonaki and Ferkiniaos Street while music lovers should aim for Voulis Street, Academias Street or Omonia Square for CD’s of Greek music in particular.

Athens also offers the familiar international chains, such as a Virgin Store and the French ‘Carrefour’ department store on Petrou Palli Street, and Marks and Spencer’s. The main Greek chain for beauty products is called ‘Hondos Centre.’ You will find a branch of one of the big Greek mobile phone companies such as Vodafone, Cosmote, and Tim on almost every commercial street of Athens.

Heading south of the city into Piraeus you’ll find elegant boutiques and fashion stores between the Port, Korai Square and Pasalimani Street. B'Menarhias Street offers shops selling spices, dried fruits, nuts, traditional Greek delicacies. Some very cheap hardware stores can also be found there.

Greek public holidays in 2009:

1 Jan - New Year's Day.
6 Jan - Epiphany.
10 Mar - Orthodox Shrove Monday.
25 Mar - Independence Day.
17 Apr - Orthodox Good Friday.
20 Apr - Orthodox Easter Monday.
1 May - Labour Day.
16 Jun - Orthodox Whit Monday.
15 Aug - Assumption.
28 Oct - Ochi Day.
25 Dec - Christmas Day.
26 Dec - Boxing Day.

Update 31/12/2008


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Comments

 clponirou

18/02/2011

Second hand designers' shop in Glyfada
Hello,
just thought your members might like to know about our shop

In the warm and cozy space of SWAP, which gives you the feeling of a luxurious dressing room, you can discover unique designers’ items at excellent prices. The owners, Claire and Demi, having lived many years abroad, came into contact with the concept of a second hand shop in London and Paris and decided that it was time to create a similar space in the south suburbs of Athens. They have selected items with great care by designers such as: Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Celine, Loewe, Prada, Max Mara, YSL, GUCCI, etc. At SWAP choices are unlimited. You can find the wedding gown you have always dreamt of, the fur you desired, the dress for the next big party, the bag for all the hours of the day and many more…



Laodikis 34

Glyfada 16674

210 8941100

www.swapshop.gr

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