Shopping in Athens: The Essential Guide for Fashionistas

Athens brims with clothing boutiques, shopping malls and secondhand stores packed with fashionable vintage pieces. Most of them are located in the city’s most populous streets so you’re probably run across them while you’re roaming around the capital’s city center. Others though are nestled in narrow alleys or situated in the suburbs. That’s where my insider’s guide for fashionistas comes in. Follow me in Athens’ hippest clothing stores and explore the city’s unbearably cool shopping scene like a local.

Ermou Street

Like every capital that respects itself, Athens has a pedestrianized shopping street that spans across the city center. Ermou street starts from Syntagma square and stretches up to Thiseio station. The one and a half-kilometer-long road brims with shops of all kinds. From international names such as H&M, Pull and Bear and Zara to shoe shops and beauty products stores. Along the pedestrianized street you’ll see street food stands with grilled corn, nuts and other local delicacies as well as street musicians playing traditional songs.

Monastiraki Flea Market

Monastiraki flea market is the most popular and touristic market in Athens. It has everything your heart desires, leather sandals, vinyl, knick-knacks, jewelry, you name it. On a Sunday morning, you’ll see locals taking a lazy stroll down Ifestou street shopping sneakers at Stratigos stores and tourists rummaging brick-a-brack at the countless souvenir stores. Explore the narrow alleys parallel to Ifestou and make a stop at Avissynias Square where local craftsmen sell their goodies.

Attica

Attica is situated in the heart of the city center just a stone’s throw away from Syntagma square. Being the fanciest department store in Athens, Attica is home to over 850 brands for all styles and budgets. Once you’ve finished shopping head to the 6th floor for a warm cup of cappuccino in the store’s elegant café-restaurant. Attica also offers personal shopping assistants and clothes alterations services.

Other department stores

Attica may be the most impressive department store but it isn’t the only one in the city. The Mall Athens in Marousi is the second most popular department store in Athens and it features four levels filled with shops, restaurants and cafés. Located in the northern suburbs, the lavish shopping mall is around 30 minutes from the city center by train. Even though due to its location it doesn’t attract many tourists, The Mall Athens is always packed with locals. Athens Metro Mall in Agios Dimitrios, Golden Hall in Marousi and River West in Aigaleo are some of the city’s most notable department stores located in the suburbs. If however, you’re not willing to leave Athens downtown but still want to spend some hours shopping, Athens Heart on Pireos Avenue is the place to head next.

Second-hand Shops

Vintage clothing, high-end pieces in affordable prices and stylish items that look as good as new. That’s what you’ll find in Athens’ second-hand shops. Even though a few years ago second-hand shopping wasn’t trending in the Greek capital like it was in other Europeans’ metropolitans such as London or Berlin, over the past few years more and more secondhand shops have popped up in the city center.
If you’re an expert bargain hunter and love digging into thrift stores’ shelves pay attention because here is where you’ll find the city’s best second-hand clothes.

Yesterday’s Bread

Yesterday’s Bread is one of the oldest second-hand shops in Athens. Packed with clothes, accessories and shoes imported from the Netherlands, the stylish shop in Kallidromiou street in Exarcheia is a must stop in your bargain hunt.

Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe is a fashionable second-hand shop nestled in Protogenous street among hip cafés and bars and other thrift stores. Vintage jackets, floral dresses and all-time classic jeans adorn the shops’ window and shelves. Just a few meters next to Guadeloupe lies Like Yesterday’s another fashionable shop filled with hidden gems every fashionista will appreciate. Despite its small size, Protogenous street boasts some of the city’s coolest places and have gained the reputation of one of Athens’ hippest streets. Make sure to stop by for window shopping in the morning or a refreshing cocktail at night.

Kilo-Shop

Another renowned second-hand shop is Kilo-Shop. It is located on Ermou 120 so you can’t miss it while you’re exploring the area around Monastiraki. Step inside and spend some time to rummage its great collection of vintage and used clothing, accessories & footwear that date from the ’50s until the ’90s.

Those looking for elegant pre-owned clothes, accessories and handbags won’t be disappointed either. SWAP, Close to Closet and ΒΟΗΒΟ sell dashing items of internationally renowned brands such as Christian Dior, Manolo Blahnik and Hermes.

Clothing Markets

Last but not least, fashionistas visiting Athens should keep an eye out for pop up markets and events. Once a month The Meet Market holds markets in different neighborhoods around the city. Dozens of vendors set their stalls packed with clothes, jewelry and design items and invite locals to spend a day full of shopping, music and style.

Shopping in Athens: The Essential Guide for Fashionistas photos courtesy of C messier / Wikimedia Commons, Tilemahos Efthimiadis / Wikimedia Commons, Guadeloupe