Specialty Shops
In the Tourist Areas
- Plaka & Monastiraki
Plaka - Located just below the Acropolis in Athens,
Plaka is admittedly a beautiful place, named after the stone
(plaques) paved walkways that were once the only paved roads
in Athens. This area is lined with shops offering every
type of souvenir imaginable, including some really unique
ones, if you know where to look.
Plaka can be a little overwhelming once you start buying
things. There is just so much of everything, that you can
easily get carried away or disenchanted by all the massively
produced "junk." I hope to help you by providing
a list of great shops in Plaka that offer something unique
and/or offer something that is handmade by an artist who
could possibly be sitting right there inside the shop. If
you can get to these places first, you may find something
so special, the rest of Plaka will not overwhelm you, because
you will be content knowing that what you have already bought
is unique, high quality, meaningful, and incredibly beautiful.
Monastiraki - This is my second recommendation.
The area is more of a flea market, but generally offers
the same type of souvenir goodies at less expensive price.
You may want to walk through Monastiraki first and it will
lead you right into Plaka. That way, you will be able to
indulge your temptations to buy with less damage to your
wallet. Once you get into Plaka, you can compare prices
and be a savvier shopper.
Brilliant Boutiques
- You may not be able to get to every artist you want to
see in person. This portion of the guide to brilliant boutiques
in Greece will get you in front of their works and introduce
you to some of Greece's great designers of both fashion
and home décor. This guide will also point out the
most original and worthwhile shops to visit and help you
discover something else in Greece besides the typical tourist
shops. These shops are offering a special discount just
for Greece Shopping Guide customers. You can print a coupon
from their web pages and take it with you when you shop.
You can also look for the blue and white stickers in store
front windows that say "Participating Member of Kelly's
Greece Shopping Guide."
Galleries &
Museum Stores - Galleries and Museums are always showing
off the latest finds in art and crafts. The Benaki Museum
is well known for it's exhibitions of works by contemporary
Greek artists who have put a spin on an ancient technique
or design in the form of jewelry, fabrics, ceramics, wood,
and more. You can always trust that the artists they display
are of a high caliber and worth seeing. Galleries can vary
in quality, but generally focus on carrying the cream of
the crop and are well studied on the topic of art. Here
is a list of the museum shops and attractive galleries that
have built a good reputation.
Gourmet Food & Drink
- This category will direct you to excellent stores and
spots all over Greece where you can buy savory packaged,
prepared or fresh gourmet foods. If you are looking for
European delicacies including great Greek wines, have a
peek a peak in this category to find the tastes near you!
Excellent Pitstops
- There is so much shopping to be had in Greece that, unfortunately,
at some point, you are just going to have to stop, relax,
and quench your body with some energy for the next round!
I have selected a variety of unique, and convenient spots
where you can catch your breath and a bite while you pour
over your purchases of the day! Cheers!
