Shopping Spots, Old Town Districts and Ancient Buildings in Greece

Shopping Spots, Old Town Districts and Ancient Buildings in Greece

Shopping spots and old town districts where you can stroll past ancient buildings, soak up the Greek way of life and pick up souvenirs to your heart's content. See You Again has gathered them all for you right here.

1 Plaka

Coming to Athens without visiting Plaka would be a mistake, because Plaka is where travelers from all over the world gather. Plaka is like a small village within a big city, an old neighborhood lined with restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops for visitors to browse and enjoy. The cafés here are also super chill, so you can soak up the atmosphere of Athens from morning until evening. Plaka sits in the heart of Athens, at the foot of the Acropolis, or you can simply walk 600 meters from Syntagma station. Trust us, you will get loads of photos in Plaka, because every corner is charmingly decorated, whether with paintings, souvenirs or clothing.

2 Monastiraki

Just keep strolling from Plaka and, before you even get tired, you will arrive at Monastiraki, only 600 meters away. Monastiraki is a flea market in the center of ancient Athens. In the afternoon and evening, bands come out to perform, and people stroll around and watch the shows, making this ancient place feel bright and full of life. It is a perfect spot to stop and rest after walking over from Plaka, and Monastiraki has just as many goods as Plaka, from handmade leather crafts to jewelry and more. An important tip: don't forget to haggle, because the vendors here are fully ready to bargain with you.

3 Central Market

Okay, if you are a vegetarian or an animal rights activist, this place may not be for you. But if you are looking for a truly authentic local experience in Greece, come here! The route is lined with small hotels, but as you get close to the market you will see sweet shops, cheese shops, food shops and many more. On both sides is the fresh market itself. This is a great place to see how Greek people really live, and another spot you shouldn't miss.

4 Omonia

Omonia is practically the transport hub of Athens. You can catch buses and the metro here, and there are taxis too. Even late at night, at 2 or 3 a.m., you can still hail a taxi from here to take you back to your hotel. The area is full of shopping malls and restaurants, from fast food to five-star fine dining, plus the Hondus department store. What makes this branch special is that it has 10 floors, and from the top floor you can see the Acropolis. If you visit this area, take extra care, because the whole district is full of locals, and not everyone has good intentions toward visitors. So please be careful.

5 Syntagma

Syntagma Square, or Constitution Square, was built in ancient times and still has fragments of the past that reflect the political and social activity of Athens. The square has a fountain in the middle and is surrounded by orange trees, so in autumn, when the leaves change, the scent of oranges is especially strong. It is an experience worth trying: walking around the square while breathing in the scent of oranges. Nearby is Mitropoleos Street, which is full of clothing and accessory shops.