Shopping

Image by Marilena Salamanou

Everyone has walked on Ermou street as it is the most commercial street of the city.

But how many travellers have discovered Karageorgi Servias and Kolokotroni? Two really interesting parallel streets of Ermou. Bars, restaurants, pastry shops and bakeries are hidden there.

At the beginning of Karageorgi Servias there is Matsoukas store. Candies (I love the one with ouzo),”pastelia” and “chalvadopites” and alcoholic drinks like koniak or colourful liquors can be found there.

Walk straight ahead and you will find the chocolate paradise!

Keep walking and after a few minutes you can find all these small stores that sell buttons, fermouars and other knitting accessories.

Turn right at Aiolou and after a while you will find Kolokotroni -one of my dearest streets all over the city. I love its vibe! If you feel hungry on your left hand there is “Krinos “-a traditional restaurant where an old man cooks for you. I always feel like I’m at home there! Try the stuffed tomatoes with rice!

This walk can end if you turn left at Karitsi street. New places for night life – bars, theaters and galleries are located at Karitsi square .

Lose yourself in this neighborhood – it’s worth it!

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Kolokotroni & Kar.Servias | Art & culture, Bars, Relaxing, Shopping, Snacks
Kolokotroni & Karageorgi Servias | Syntagma
24 hours daily

Image by Maria Porfyriadi

A small suburban neighbourhood called Pefki, in the northern part of the town, hosts “Forma”, one of the funkiest shops selling pashminas and all sorts of scarfs, in every fabric, texture & colour scheme imaginable.

The shop does not specialize in these items only, as there’s a big variety of purses, belts, wallets, shoes, umbrellas, even slippers to choose from; with pashminas & scarfs definitely being my favourite ones in there, especially for wintertime! They also stock a great selection of woolie hats, leather or fleece gloves and mittens, too.

During spring and summers months though, they bring out another must-have of leather hand-made flip flops for the ladies, tastefully decorated with beads, crystals, ribbons and numerous other materials that truly set them apart from all other summer footwear available in the market!

It’s a good 20 minute bus ride from downtown Athens, but without a doubt totally worth it for some exceptional shopping on a budget. Just a 5-minute walk from close by “Maroussi” train station (green line 1). Check it out!

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Forma | Shopping
Leoforos Eirinis 23 pefki | North suburbs | +302106128759
Mon, Wed & Sat 09:00 – 15:00, Tue , Thu – Fri 09:00 – 14:00 & 17:00 – 20:30

Image by Maria Porfyriadi

Take the tram and get off at “Parko Flisvou” station. Or even better, stroll the promenade from as far as you can (Alimos, Edem, Batis are all within walking distance from the park) till you reach the Marina.

The way this Marina has been transformed over the last few years is something else! Let’s not even begin to mention what it used to be like… But nowadays? Oh now it’s like a playground for grown-up kids (and the real ones as well!).

- Yes; it is a bit Disney-like- Can also seem a bit corny to the Greek standards- You might as well encounter yacht-owner faces that won’t necessarily make your day But if I must be honest, I reeeeally do enjoy visiting as often as I can!

Kids riding their bikes, teenagers roller-skating, adults wandering around with an ice-cream cone or a corn stick at hand…

The place has had a full facelift, having being converted into a picturesque, pedestrian, island-like haven. I don’t feel like I actually am within a noisy city! Attentively decorated gardens, low-rise buildings with red tiled roofs, cheerful colours… Where am I? To hell with the commercialization! I love this place!

And at night… the view is truly majestic when everything is lit up as far as the eye can see! Take your friends and a couple of beers and pop to the breakwater located right behind the Ciné Flisvos! Not Disney-like anymore, huh?

There are often various happenings taking place; even outdoor ice-skating every now and then.

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Marina Flisvos | Art & culture, Relaxing, Shopping | Free
Flisvos Marina, 17561 | South suburbs | +302109871000
Shops Mon – Sat 09:00 – 23:00

Image by Maria Porfyriadi

This whole area on the northern part of Thiseio (between Monastiraki and Omonoia Square) seems like the film set of “A touch of Spice” (or Politiki Kouzina in Greek).

It is full of small traditional spice shops with a selection of rare herbs, seeds and spices literally decorating the streets as they are hanging in the entrances of the shops or even outside of them.

A walk down Evripidou street, therefore, is like a virtual tour to a brighter, more colourful world, full of pleasant scents and nostalgia.

This aromatic street is considered a “cultural crossroad” for its “ethnic” character and diverse, multicultural communities.

Renowned chefs, gourmet fans, alternative medicine aficionados and curious passers-by, in search of a touch of the exotic in their daily routine, all flock this street to make it even more colourful and full of life!

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Evripidou Street | Art & culture, Relaxing, Shopping, Snacks
Evripidou | Monastiraki
Daytime

Image by Aggeliki Georgokosta

To thimari tou Strefi (= the thyme of Strefi hill) is a delicate “bakaliko”. “Bakaliko” is a store where you can find almost everything and in this particular store you can find everything that is connected with food and quality.The owner, Thodoris, is an authentic local of Exarceia who five years ago opened this market. He and his wife travel around Greece and taste every single savory they import into their shop.

There you can buy excellent quality products from every corner of Greece and find different varieties of cheese, cold cuts, salads, honey, herbs, handmade pasta, pulses, olives, traditional sweets and much more. I suggest that you step by while visiting the flea market of Kallidromiou (check the Open market Kallidromiou article) and let yourself have a complete taste experience.

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To thimari tou Strefi | Shopping, Snacks
Kallidromiou 51 | Exarcheia | +302103300384
Mon, Wed & Sat 09:00 – 16:00, Tue & Thu – Fri 09:00 – 15:00 & 17:00 – 21:00