Mar 14, 2025

Politeia Bookstore Athens

Best bookshop in Athens

""Politeia Bookstore" in the best bookstore in Athens, at least for me. It's big, it's cheap and it has difficult-to-find books - in English too!"

If you're anything like me, one of the first things you check out when you visit a city is its bookstores. I'm sorry for all the bookworms who've passed through Athens over the years and weren't aware of the existence of this here gem.

"Platonos Politeia" is Greek for Plato's Republic. "Politeia" can also mean state (as in the United States) or land/country. Quite literally, Politeia is the land, the republic, of books.

I'm going to be perfectly clear with you: when it comes to size, selection and prices, this is hands-down the best bookshop in Athens. This is where I bought my José Saramago collection, my Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy of Four, my first Discworld novel... I could go on, but the point is that you can find just about anything here. It's so big as to have four separate entrances divided by genre: literature, fiction and sci-fi, non-fiction and arts & misc.

One of the biggest reasons I feel so excited to be sharing this spot with you is that Politeia has a surprisingly large selection of books in English as well as Greek - as good if not better than the likes of big media chains like Public, but with stunningly better prices. The only reason I don't visit more often is because it's virtually impossible to leave without spending half the day browsing and then buying some random book I didn't even know existed.

Note: I took the picture during Christmas -- it's not always that busy!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

Asklipiou 1 - 3

Books from:

5

+30

2103616373

Find your way with 262 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

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.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 16, 2025

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.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 16, 2025

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)...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Mar 15, 2025

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,

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Mar 15, 2025

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!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Dimitris

Hall

Mar 14, 2025

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!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Dimitris

Hall

Mar 14, 2025

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.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Dimitris

Hall

Mar 14, 2025

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.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 14, 2025

Plateia Proskopon

Past glories

Plateia Proskopon is surely not as hip as Plateia Varnava or other spots in Pagrati but has a unique atmosphere.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 14, 2025

Starata

Honest pies

The owners of Starata take great pride in their fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and the phyllo that is prepared daily in front of their customers.

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 14, 2025

1001 Geyseis

Nuts about it

I just love the chocolate-covered nuts in 1001 Geyseis! I recently tried the cocoa-covered pecan nuts and hopefully one day I will try all the variety the store has to offer!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 14, 2025

Santo Belto

An urban comfort zone

Entering Agias Zonis is like getting into a literal comfort zone. Although it starts from the bustling pedestrian zone of Fokionos Negri, Agias Zonis is a well-kept secret.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Zoe

Tziakou

Mar 14, 2025

Heading to Athens?

262 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Athens?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

262 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

Our team loves Athens

Get to know our other Spotters from Athens

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
cached_response not present
41
Filters