| Athens
has an impressive variety of goods to offer shoppers, from top designer
labels and exquisite jewelry to fine antiques and high quality leather
goods. Winter sales in Athens start in the beginning of January and last
approximately until the middle of March. Most shops are open Monday, Wednesday
and Saturday 9 am-3 pm and on Tuesday and Thursday 9 am-8 pm.
MAJOR
SHOPPING AREAS
Kolonaki
is the first word that a good shopper should know. Just a stone's throw
from Syntagma Square, Kolonaki has always been the most fashionable and
chic area of Athens, teeming with shops, trendy coffee shops and hip restaurants.
Tsakalof Street is Kolonaki's most famous and is rated among the six most
expensive streets in the world.
Ermou
Street, recently paved for pedestrians only, is another much longer
street not to miss if shopping is among your travel objectives. Off Syntagma
Square, it has always been Athens' busiest shopping street and is packed
with clothing, accessory and quality souvenir shops.
Other
major shopping sites in Athens are Kifissia in the north and Glyfada
on the south coast close to the airport.
JEWELRY
Greeks have always been good at making jewelry, as proved by both ancient
and modern history. Consider taking a walk around Voukourestiou and adjacent
streets where exceptionally designed and handmade pieces can be found at
such goldsmiths as Vildiridis, Bulgari . The internationally best
known names are Ilias Lalaounis and Zolotas
ANTIQUES
Antique shops can be found mainly in the Monastiraki area, where the largest
open-air market of Athens takes place every day 8 am-2 pm. It's certainly
worth considering a visit, since it's colorful and friendly and offers
a broad variety of antiques from glass and silver items to pieces
of furniture and old appliances.
|
