Shopping Areas
While in Athens, if you have the time to get out of tourist
central and still feel like shopping, here's where
to head:
Ermou
St. - This is a wide pedestrian walkway just opposite
the face of the parliament building. The road is named after
Hermes, the god of trade and has been operating as a merchant
center since it's construction. It's lined with all the
major trendy shops, mostly Greek brand names, but tucked
right in with them are international shops like Bennetton,
Marks and Spencer, and Mac. There are so many shoe shops,
it would take a week to get to them all. Prices are mid
range in most shops. There are also plenty of happening
coffee shops, street artists, and often, live music to keep
you in that carefree shopping mood!
Kolonaki
- Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to Kolonaki!
Panepistimiou is the main road that separates Syntagma from
Kolonaki. To the left of the parliament building, just below
Lykavitos Hill, you'll find this posh fashion friendly suburb.
The smell of new clothes and clacking of fancy shoes tease
your senses as you window shop through this Bevery Hills
of Athens. If you're looking for high-end shopping and the
most elegant styles in Greece, you'll find them in this
area. Tucked among them are also some more accessible and
affordable shops, so you're bound to pick up something one
way or another! Of course, you'll need to stop for a pricey
coffee somewhere to people watch and practice your best
gossip to finish off the day right. Now you're behaving
like a true Kolonakian. The metro doesn't stop there, but
it's an easy walk from Syntagma Square. It's amazing what
crossing one street will do! Don't forget your wallets!
Kifissia
(North) - This town is known for it's tree-lined streets
and upscale homes. There's plenty of shade and wide stone
streets. You can take the metro right into the center (about
30 minutes from Syntagma), and begin your shopping extravaganza!
You will find a mix of mid to high-range priced shops and
again, Marks and Spencer is on the scene. Hit up Kalogyrou's
shop for the season's latest shoe fashions. It's hard to
ignore all the beautiful shop windows. Better start early!
Glyfada
- Here's where you can combine a little beach life with
some serious shopping. Glyfada was once a host for an American
military base, so you'll find out of place restaurants like
Applebees or Friday's there. Anyway, skip those and hit
the long drag of shops. You can't take the Metro there,
yet, but you can get a bus right to the center (takes about
45 minutes from Syntagma). When you've had enough, kick
back at a cool café near the water and surmise your
damage for the day. Once you're enjoying the beautiful surroundings,
it will be easy to forgive yourself!
Oia
(Santorini) - Enchanting Oia, a place where you feel
as if you were a God in the heavens looking down on the
rest of the earth. It's a magical spot where the sunsets
make the sky purple and stars in the night sky seem to drop
down to your waist. By day, Oia is a center for local craft
shops, fine jewelry boutiques, and art galleries. Oia is
more of a cultural center for contemporary Greek art offering
a more exclusive selection of shops, compared to its more
"tourist shop" oriented sister city and capital
of Santorini, Fira. I never miss the chance to visit Oia
while in Santorini. It would be a huge disappointment to
skip this unbelievable, out of this world place!!
A Quick Pep Talk
Before you start, there are some small details that you
may want to know. First of all, there are no GAP, Limited,
or Express stores in Greece(yet), so don't bother looking.
Secondly, your in-store experience may be a little different
than you are accustomed to. I have found that most shops
only have a mirror in the center of the store instead of
in every dressing room, which means you have to try on your
wears and head out to the center of the room for viewing.
This can be uncomfortable if the lady working decides to
entertain herself by watching you. I have also experienced
in other ladies barging in, thinking nothing of it, to make
a switch or grab whatever they left behind. Don't be totally
surprised if sometimes, you have company! The shops are
much tinier than American shops and usually the sizes they
stock are smaller. It may take additional looking to find
larger sizes. Smoking is allowed in privately owned shops,
which most are. You'll have to get used to it. On the other
hand, if you are a smoker you can go on in and use their
ashtray. Don't be surprised if the clerk pays more attention
to his/her own cigarette than to you. Excellent customer
service is not generally as expected or enforced as it is
in the States. Don't take it personally. They are honest
and try to be helpful, but they don't kiss up. Now, go get
'em!
