I’m going to be honest: a lot of souvenirs in Athens are junk. Mass-produced “Greek” magnets made in China, €2 keychains that break in your suitcase, and olive wood salad servers that look identical in every shop on Adrianou Street. If you’re looking for that stuff, you don’t need a guide.
But Athens also has genuinely excellent shopping if you know where to look — hand-pressed olive oil from family farms, sandals made in a workshop that’s been there since the 1920s, ceramics crafted by artists who actually live here, and spices that will make your kitchen smell like the Central Market for months.
Here’s what’s actually worth buying in Athens and where to find it.
What to Buy: The Good Stuff#
Olive Oil#
Greek olive oil is among the best in the world, and buying it in Athens means getting quality that export-grade bottles can’t match. The difference between the olive oil you buy in a supermarket back home and a fresh-pressed Greek extra virgin is enormous — it’s peppery, fruity, and alive.
Where to buy:
- Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora) — Several olive oil vendors sell local varieties. Ask to taste before buying.
- Ergon House — Curated Greek food shop with excellent oils and knowledgeable staff
- Pantopolion — Specialty shop in Psyrri with high-quality Greek products
What to look for:
- “Extra virgin” (εξαιρετικό παρθένο)
- Single-estate or PDO-certified oils
- Koroneiki variety is the most common and reliably excellent
- Harvest date should be within the last year
Price: €8-15 for a good 500ml bottle Tip: Metal tins travel better than glass bottles and protect the oil from light
Leather Sandals#
Athens has a long tradition of handmade leather sandals, and the best shops still make them by hand in workshops you can watch. The quality difference between a handmade pair and the tourist-shop knockoffs is obvious the moment you touch them.
Where to buy:
- Melissinos Art — The Poet Sandal Maker. Pantelis Melissinos (and his son) have been making sandals since the 1920s. John Lennon and Jackie Onassis bought sandals here. The shop on Agias Theklas Street is as much an experience as a store.
- Stavros Melissinos — The original Melissinos workshop, now run by a family branch on Tzireon Street
- Ancient Greek Sandals — Higher-end, modern designs inspired by ancient styles. Available in Kolonaki.
Price: €30-80 for handmade sandals. Tourist-shop versions are €10-15 but won’t last. Tip: They make them to your feet — allow 20-30 minutes for fitting and adjustments.
Honey & Sweets#
Greek honey is extraordinary. The thyme honey from the Greek islands — thick, aromatic, golden — is in a different league from anything you’ll find in a supermarket. Combine it with Greek sweets and you have gifts that people actually want to receive.
What to buy:
- Thyme honey — The gold standard. Rich, floral, pairs perfectly with Greek yogurt.
- Pine honey — Dark, earthy, less sweet. Unique to Greece.
- Loukoumi (Turkish delight) — The Greek version, made with rose water, mastic, and pistachios
- Pasteli — Sesame and honey bars, crunchy and addictive
- Spoon sweets (glyka tou koutaliou) — Preserved fruits in syrup, a Greek tradition
Where to buy:
- Brettos — Historic bar and distillery in Plaka with walls of colorful bottles. Amazing liqueurs and preserves.
- Arisocraton — Specialty chocolate and sweets shop in the center
- Central Market — Honey vendors with varieties from all over Greece
Herbs & Spices#
The spice shops on Evripidou Street near the Central Market are one of Athens’ most atmospheric shopping experiences. The street smells incredible — oregano, saffron, mountain tea, chamomile, dried herbs in sacks piled to the ceiling.
What to buy:
- Greek oregano (rigani) — Far more aromatic than what you buy abroad
- Greek saffron (Kozani) — High-quality red saffron from northern Greece, much cheaper than Saffron in other countries
- Mountain tea (tsai tou vounou) — Dried herb tea that Greeks drink for everything. Soothing, earthy, and an authentic daily Greek beverage.
- Mastic — Unique resin from the island of Chios. Used in cooking, baking, and liqueurs. You can’t get this anywhere else.
Where to buy:
- Evripidou Street — Multiple spice shops, prices are excellent, and vendors are happy to explain everything
- Bahar — The most famous spice shop on the street, family-run for decades
Price: €3-8 per bag. Stock up — these weigh nothing and make excellent gifts.
Ceramics & Pottery#
Skip the mass-produced blue-and-white plates on Adrianou Street. Athens has genuine ceramic artists creating beautiful work that ranges from traditional reproductions to contemporary designs.
Where to buy:
- Forget Me Not — Curated shop in Plaka selling work by Greek artists and designers. Ceramics, prints, textiles. Everything is made in Greece.
- Ergon House — Has a selection of artisan ceramics alongside food products
- Monastiraki Flea Market (Sunday) — Vintage and antique ceramics among the general chaos
What to look for: Hand-painted pieces (check the bottom — handmade pieces have imperfections), traditional geometric patterns, and modern Greek design pieces
Greek Wine & Spirits#
Wine: Greek wine is criminally underrated abroad. Bring bottles home and introduce friends to Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, and Agiorgitiko.
Ouzo: Buy a good bottle — not the tourist-shop stuff. Try Plomari or Barbayiannis.
Tsipouro: Greek grape spirit, similar to Italian grappa but smoother. A local favorite.
Mastiha liqueur: Sweet, aromatic liqueur made from Chios mastic. Unique to Greece.
Where to buy:
- Brettos — Bar and shop in Plaka with floor-to-ceiling bottles of house-made spirits. Taste before buying.
- Heteroclito — Wine bar near Syntagma where knowledgeable staff can recommend bottles
- Any good supermarket — For everyday wines, AB Vasilopoulos and Sklavenitis have solid Greek wine sections at local prices
Jewelry#
Greece has a strong tradition of gold and silver jewelry, from ancient-inspired designs to contemporary pieces.
- Lalaounis — The most famous Greek jeweler. Museum-quality pieces inspired by ancient Greece. Expensive but extraordinary.
- Zolotas — Another prestigious Greek jewelry house, similar style
- Small ateliers in Kolonaki and Plaka — Independent designers selling unique pieces at more accessible prices
Where to Shop: Markets & Districts#
Monastiraki Flea Market#
The most famous market in Athens, and it delivers — especially on Sundays when the weekly flea market spills across the entire neighborhood. Antiques, vintage clothes, vinyl records, old cameras, random brass objects, Greek flags, and things that defy categorization.
When: Every day for shops, Sunday for the full outdoor market (best from 8 AM-2 PM) Where: Around Avyssinias Square, extending into side streets toward Thissio What to buy: Antiques, vintage items, handmade jewelry, quirky finds What to skip: Mass-produced souvenirs (better and cheaper elsewhere)
Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora)#
Not really a souvenir market, but the best place to buy olive oil, honey, spices, dried herbs, and food products at local prices. The market is an experience in itself — fish on ice, hanging meat, towers of cheese, and vendors who’ll let you taste everything.
When: Monday-Saturday, early morning through early afternoon Where: Athinas Street, between Monastiraki and Omonia What to buy: Olive oil, honey, spices, dried herbs, Greek cheese, cured meats
Evripidou Street#
The spice street. One block south of the Central Market, Evripidou is lined with shops selling herbs, spices, teas, dried fruits, and nuts. The smells alone are worth the detour.
What to buy: Mountain tea, oregano, saffron, mastic, chamomile, dried figs
Ermou Street#
Athens’ main pedestrian shopping street, stretching from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki. It’s mostly international chains (Zara, H&M, Mango), but also has some Greek stores and is useful for practical shopping. Not the place for unique souvenirs, but good for filling wardrobe gaps.
Kolonaki#
The upscale shopping district. Greek designer boutiques, high-end jewelry, art galleries, and concept stores. This is where Athenians with money shop, and the quality reflects it. Higher prices, but unique finds.
Best for: Greek designer fashion, fine jewelry, art, upscale gifts
Plaka#
The most tourist-focused shopping area. Adrianou Street is wall-to-wall souvenir shops, and honestly, 80% of it is mass-produced stuff. But there are gems hidden among the tourist tat:
- Forget Me Not — Curated Greek design
- Compendium — Bookshop with Greek literature in English
- Melissinos — Handmade sandals (see above)
- Small galleries on side streets selling original Greek art
What NOT to Buy#
Let me save you some money and suitcase space:
- “Ancient Greek” replica statues — They’re made in factories, they’re heavy, and they’ll collect dust at home
- Cheap “olive wood” products — The €5 cutting boards on tourist streets are often not olive wood at all
- Evil eye keychains — Cute for about 30 seconds. Buy one if you must, but know it’s a €0.50 item marked up to €3
- Random “Greek” t-shirts — Made in China, sold in Plaka. Your money goes nowhere near Greece.
- Overpriced olive oil on Adrianou — Same products available at the Central Market for half the price
Practical Shopping Tips#
Buy food products at the Central Market or Evripidou Street. Tourist shops mark up olive oil, honey, and spices by 50-100%. The market gives you local prices and better quality.
Haggle at flea markets, not at shops. Monastiraki outdoor stalls expect negotiation. Established shops have fixed prices.
Ship heavy items. Good olive oil, ceramics, and wine are heavy. Some shops will ship internationally. Otherwise, Greek post offices handle packages to most countries affordably.
VAT refund for non-EU residents. Purchases over €50 from a single shop may qualify for a VAT refund (24%). Ask for a tax-free form at the store and claim at the airport.
Bring a foldable bag. Greek shops charge for plastic bags. A reusable bag saves money and is better for the environment.
Shop in the afternoon. Small shops and workshops often close for a midday break (2-5 PM) in summer. Mornings and evenings are more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What’s the best souvenir from Athens?#
Olive oil and honey — practical, delicious, authentically Greek, and unique to the region. For something more personal, handmade leather sandals from Melissinos are a classic.
Is Monastiraki Flea Market worth visiting?#
Yes, especially on Sunday for the full outdoor market. Go for the atmosphere and vintage finds, not for mass-produced souvenirs. Arrive early for the best selection.
Where can I buy good olive oil in Athens?#
The Central Market has multiple vendors selling excellent Greek olive oil at local prices. Ergon House and Pantopolion are curated options with staff who can help you choose. Avoid tourist shops on Adrianou Street — same product, double the price.
Is shopping in Athens expensive?#
Not at all. Food products, spices, and everyday items are cheaper than most Western European capitals. Leather goods and jewelry are reasonably priced for handmade quality. Only the Kolonaki boutique district feels pricey.
Can I bring olive oil on the plane?#
Yes, in checked luggage. Pack bottles in ziplock bags and wrap in clothes for padding. Metal tins are safer than glass. Quantities are unlimited in checked bags.
The Bottom Line#
Best single purchase: A bottle of excellent Greek olive oil from the Central Market (€10-15). You’ll taste the difference every time you cook.
Best gift: Greek mountain tea and saffron from Evripidou Street (€5-10, lightweight, unique).
Best experience-purchase: Handmade sandals from Melissinos (€40-70). You get shoes and a story.
Best market day: Sunday morning at the Monastiraki flea market. Arrive at 9 AM, browse the antiques, grab a souvlaki from a street vendor, and soak up the chaos.
The secret to shopping well in Athens is stepping one street away from the tourist path. The shops on Adrianou want your money. The shops on the side streets want to show you something real.
Planning your trip? See our Athens neighborhoods guide, Greek food guide, and Athens on a budget.
