Ermou Street is one of the main pedestrian shopping streets in Athens City Centre. You will find all the international high street shops there including H&M, M&S, Nike and Sephora. There are lots of smaller streets leading off Ermou and these are a little more ‘interesting’ such as family owned haberdasheries and textile shops, exquisite bakeries, back street eateries and coffee places. Ermou is a good place to start as it leads down to Monastiraki and Psirri and if you turn left off Ermou at the Hondos Centre, you will come to the Cathedral and the path which leads up to Plaka.
Monastiraki is a souvenir-hunting enclave with a difference. Apart from the dramatic backdrop of the Acropolis, its network of alleys and pedestrianized streets surround the remains of both the Greek and Roman agoras, adding the quaint concept that this is where the ancients also came to shop. Named after the tiny monastery church at its center, Monastiraki Square is a lively spot by day or night, with street peddlers vying for your attention to sell you nuts and sweets. Down beside the metro station, the official Flea Market is an unbroken row of souvenir shops until you come to antique-oriented Platia Avissinias, while Pandrossou Street on the other side of the square offers more tourist shopping. The pedestrianized street beside the Greek Agora is lined with cafés offering fine views
Athens has a vintage fashion scene as diverse and charismatic as the city itself, and digging around the city for second-hand bargains is also a great way to explore some of the capital’s most eclectic streets. From statement jackets and velvet kimonos to tea dresses and one-of-a-kind accessories, this city has just about everything you could want to find.
Shopping for second-hand bargains in Monastiraki and Plaka
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the touristy hustle of Plaka and Monastiraki. The alleys are often so crowded that it’s hard to see beyond the Hercules print t-shirts and evil eye charms. Persevere. In the army surplus stores on Ifestou Street, duffel bags and khaki jackets swing from high rails. Pick up utilitarian staples like hard-wearing navy sweaters and oversized jackets. The best of the bunch is Stratiotika.
At the end of Ifestou is the antique market of Platia Avissinias. This square is the go-to-place for retro chairs and art deco lamps; you might also stumble on stalls selling leather trench-coats or shearling bomber jackets. Go on Sunday, the flea market’s busiest day, to increase your chances of a fashionable find. Café Avissinia is a bohemian institution and a prime spot for a coffee break between bargain-hunting. If you can’t find a table on the square, head up to the top floor for fabulous Acropolis views. Afterwards, check out the vintage suede jackets and fur vests displayed outside another second-hand store, Gounes. Or head inside for more serious (read: expensive) statement jackets. Wander up to Retrosexual Vintage Shop, a colourful trove of vintage furniture, lighting and retro ornaments.
Retro Americana on Athinas Street
Athinas Street, which connects Monastiraki Square to Omonia Square, is one of the most hectic and eclectic high streets in Athens. Hidden on the second and third floors of a drab grey office building is Amerikaniki Agora. The store is so densely packed with vintage clothes, it feels like a hoarder’s paradise. Along the colourful rails, you’ll find everything from extravagant ball gowns to denim jackets.
Just below Omonia Square, Millesime is an equally well-stocked second-hand store. While less theatrical, the rails are no less bountiful and extremely affordable. Pristine beige overcoats can be snapped up for €10, cashmere cardigans for a few euros. Stock is regularly updated so it’s well worth stopping by a few times if you’re in town for a while.
Vintage fashion in Psirri
While the second-hand shops on Athinas Street work with volume, the vintage boutiques on nearby Protogenous Street, are strong on curation. This hip Psirri street is the heart of the Athens vintage fashion scene. At Treasure House Vintage, George Karras has sourced a fine collection of Levi's jeans, statement coats and printed shirts from Italy and France. Neighbouring Guadeloupe is great for retro accessories and swimwear. At Like Yesterday, browse antique lace, pretty tea dresses and beaded clutches. Reward your rummaging with artisan ice cream at Kokkion, on the corner of Protogenous and Athinas Streets, where the amazing pieces change by the day as well as the season.
Psirri is also home to cult favourite Remember Fashion. Founded in 1978, this pioneering store (originally located in Plaka) introduced a punk aesthetic to Athens, earning an international fanbase that includes Chloe Sevigny, Debbie Harry, and Lana Del Ray. These days, Yannis Tsouvanatos and his partner Athina offer a mix of cropped neon knitwear and velvet kimonos, alongside vintage denim and limited-edition, avant-garde designs. New Skin, a tiny shop hidden inside quirky Psirri arcade nearby, has a curated selection of ‘90s streetwear and custom-made jackets that adds flavour to this progressive community of independent retailers .
Alternative style in Exarchia
In the neighbourhood of Exarchia, the city’s edgy, creative energy is reflected in the many second-hand shops. Your first stop should be Mimis—The Source of Sunglasses, one of Athens most cult vintage shops. No second-hand items here, but instead there's an enormous old stock of vintage sunglasses of every shape, style, and colour, all at rock-bottom prices.
At Dalston, the slick curation by Effie Pappa ensures each piece shines. Expect to find Missoni knitwear and tailored coats from Jil Sander, as well as emerging international brands.
On Ippokratous Street is Hotsy Totsy, a recent addition to the Athens second-hand scene. Racks are divided by style and colour, so you can flick quickly through quirky Hawaiian shirts, on-trend midi-skirts and floaty frocks. Towards the end of Kallidromiou Street, you’ll find Yesterday’s Bread, an established spot that’s always full of savvy shoppers sifting through 80s anoraks, retro sportswear and a large stash of kimonos.
The Central Municipal Market of Varvakios is the liveliest market you will find in Athens. Gathering hundreds of people every day, there you will find most of the shops selling meat, fish, eggs and many others as well as restaurants under the same roof!
It is the first food market of Athens constructed in 1886 and is located between Monastiraki and Omonia.
One of its entrances is on Athinas Street where the fish and seafood stalls are. There, you will find the freshest fish coming every day directly from Kavala, Naxos, Kalymnos, Paros, Evia, Symi and other seaside locations.
If you continue further, you will find yourself in the meat department where charcuterie and cheeses are also sold.
On the opposite side of Athinas Street, you will find shops with vegetables and fruit.
Small shops selling herbs, nuts, honey, wine, and oil are also located around that region.
The market is full of life. People from all districts of Athens come here to shop for their households while restaurant managers will also be there trying to spot and get the finest quality products for their menu.
As in most of the food markets, Varvakios gets crowded and there is a lot of noise and yelling but we have to admit that this is part of its charm!
The food market is open Monday to Saturday from 07:00am to 18:00pm.