Nea Smyrni Farmers Market Athens
Old-school shopping
The farmers market, more correctly "people's market" - a direct translation from Greek (laikí agorá) - is a tradition everywhere in Greece. Vendors, merchants and farmers from all over the country meet at a specific time and place every week and set up their benches on a town street. In Nea Smyrni, my hometown, this is Megalou Alexandrou St every Wednesday, and it goes on for 500m, not including sidestreets.
It's important to remember that laikí isn't just a farmer's market: there you can find not only fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, but also fish, olives and olive oil, nuts, wine, underwear, clothes, shoes, kitchen utensils, cleaning products and more. In other words, anything a housewife -or houseperson, we're not sexist!- might need. My grandmother only ever did her grocery shopping at the laikí. She would rarely go to the supermarket.
Nowadays, I'm following in her footsteps and carrying on the tradition. Unfortunately, it's mostly other grandmas I see when I stroll along Megalou Alexandrou on Wednesdays, though in the last few years, I've been noticing more and more young people rediscovering the old ways.
The produce on sale in these markets is not organic unless stated, but it's the best quality and cheapest non-organic food you can possibly find. Indicatively: €1 for a braid of garlic, €1.50 for 1kg of rice, €2 for 2kg of broccoli. The later you go, the better bargains you'll find.
To get there, take a tram to Agias Foteinis or Megalou Alexandrou.
About this spot
Megalou Alexandrou, 17121
- Wed 08:00 - 15:00
3kg oranges:
€
no-price
Find your way with 263 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Athens
Zefyros
An open air cinephile experience
Here is where viewers, myself included, got to know the worlds of Bunuel, Welles, Tarkovsky, Ozu, Bergman, and many more emblematic filmmakers.
by
Antonis
Tsapepas
Lefteris o Politis
Simply delicious souvlaki
A well-cooked pita, a juicy burger, tomato, and onion are a unique and tasty combination. It is the epitome of delicious simplicity.
by
Antonis
Tsapepas
Talking Breads
Talking about street food
My favourite burger is the Bacon Mushroom Melt, and my favourite sandwich is the Tika, which is slightly spicy and causes a chain of flavour explosions!
by
Antonis
Tsapepas
Shedia
Human is the answer
Shedia is heavily focused on sustainability and inclusivity: pets have their own menu, the menu is also offered in Braille, and the oil used is produced by the Niarchos park trees and then recycled.
by
Zoe
Tziakou
Teras
A pretty monster
Teras is full of contradictions: it is unconventionally named (teras means 'monster' in greek) in an ugly way but it is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy your drink.
by
Zoe
Tziakou
KAFAO
Street art everywhere
We call these boxes KAFAO (ΚΑΦΑΟ in Greek) and they are basically the Greekized pronunciation of the German acronym KV (Ka-Fau)...
by
Andreas
Papadopoulos
Rizopoulos Coffee 1901
The oldest coffee house
The story of Rizopoulos family's involvement with coffee begins in the early 20th century, specifically in 1901, when Andreas Rizopoulos arrived in Athens,
by
Andreas
Papadopoulos
To 24oro
Budget restaurant around the clock
It's really close to both Akropoli and Syggrou-Fix metro station, it has a nice vibe, a great selection of Greek international dishes and large portions!
by
Dimitris
Hall
CatDog Urban Bar
Berlin meets Pokemon
I've been here with friends and they've all been amazed at the low prices, cool vibe and '90s memorabilia. Even the cocktails are named after Pokemon!
by
Dimitris
Hall
Kitschen
Port-side Asian fusion Nirvana
Once you enter, you will be amazed by the Japanese-cool decoration, especially by the huge blue mural with the 3D elements and the pink circle.
by
Dimitris
Hall
Kalos Aeras
Fine dining at home
Although Kalos Aeras is located on a busy road, there is no noise penetrating the leafy veranda, and stepping into the house is like time-traveling back to the 60s.
by
Zoe
Tziakou
Plateia Proskopon
Past glories
Plateia Proskopon is surely not as hip as Plateia Varnava or other spots in Pagrati but has a unique atmosphere.
by
Zoe
Tziakou
Heading to Athens?
263 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 263 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Athens
Our team loves Athens
Get to know our other Spotters from Athens
As featured on:
