| INTRODUCTION |
Athens has a very large selection of stores of all kinds and you will soon realise that almost anything can be found here provided that you know where to look. A large number of local and international chain stores operate in the region as well as privately owned designer boutiques, shoe shops and home stores. Greeks are very fashion conscious - all international designer labels are available here.
The most important shopping districts are Kolonaki, Ermou/Monastiraki, Kifissia, Glyfada and Piraeus.
Prices vary depending on the area you are shopping in; you can expect to pay a higher price if shopping in Kifissia, Glyfada or Kolonaki than in Piraeus or on Ermou St as shop owners in the aforementioned districts are paying a much higher rent for their stores. In the centre of Athens the main shopping street is Ermou St, which has a wide variety of shops. Stadiou St is renowned for
jewelery, bookshops and some clothing stores whilst Mitropoleos St is known for fur, jewellery, carpet and household furnishings. All three of these streets lead from Syntagma Square towards Monastiraki where you will find the famous Flea Market. The market is open daily from approximately 9am-9pm but in the summer shops remain open until much later.
In many shops the staff work on commission so you may find yourself being pestered when you only want to look around. Greek stores have Sales twice a year with discounts of 40 - 50%. The Government fixes the starting date for the Sales.
Shopping hours vary greatly as shops tend to adjust the hours to their particular clientele:
Supermarkets Mon-Fri 08.30-21.00
Saturday 08.30-18.00
Sun and holidays Closed
Other shops Mon-Wed 09.00-15.00
Tues Thurs Fri 09.00-13.30
17.30-20.30
Saturday 09.00-15.00
Sunday Closed
Chain stores Mon-Wed 09.00-15.00
Tues Thurs Fri 09.00-20.30
Neighborhood corner stores, kiosks, bakeries and cake stores are open every day including Sunday and remain open until at least 21.00. Kiosks remain open until much later.
Post offices (go early to avoid queues), banks and other government offices:
Mon-Fri 08.00-14.00
Pharmacies: same as shop hours except they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays when a 'duty' or rote system then takes over (there is also a rote system during the night). A list of the duty pharmacies is written on the doors of all pharmacies irrespective of whether they are open or not. The same list can also be found in the Athens News. Outside the Greater Attiki area, local pharmacies often follow their own hours and stay open at weekends. There is a 24hour pharmacy at Athens airport.
Parking is a major problem in all shopping areas as car parks are few and far between. Good advice is to leave your car outside the main shopping area and walk or take public transport.
The information in these pages will be updated on a regular basis and we appreciate any new material. If you would like to recommend any stores, e-mail us and we will add them at our next update. |
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