The Monastiraki flea market is the place to be on Sunday when it seems every Athenian is here either buying or selling. You have to get here early because after about 11am the crowd becomes impossible and if you want to take a break there are few tables available at the many cafes and restaurants in the area.
The Central Municipal Athens Market, locally known as Varvakeios Agora, is the largest food market in Athens. Here, you'll find a diverse array of meat and seafood as well as fresh produce and herbs and spices. You can also feast on Greek delicacies at the market's numerous restaurants.
The Flea Market in Monastiraki, Athens: One of the most interesting and vibrant places you must visit during your stay in Athens is the Flea Market in Monastiraki. It expands from Monastiraki Square and reaches Thissio and Psiri.
Opening hours: Monastiraki flea market happens every Sunday, but the neighbourhood is home to many strange antique stores which are open daily. Food: I sat down for a lovely meal at Savvas restaurant, which serves Greek and Middle Eastern dishes cooked to perfection.
Shopping Athens Greece Largest Flea Market Bazaar!!
What streets to avoid in Athens?
Any large urban area has good and bad neighbourhoods. Before you book any accommodation, it's useful to know which areas to avoid. Athens' sketchier neighbourhoods include Omonia, Exarchia, Monastiraki, Kolokotroni and Victoria Square.
You'll find traditional Greek products like dried spices and nuts, together with local handicrafts and souvenirs. For fashion, you'll find vintage apparel as well as international designer brands. Shopping in Athens, you can explore the Greek capital's diverse culture through its bustling traditional markets.
Safety at nightModerate. Athens is moderately safe to traverse at night. Major tourist sites and populated areas like Plaka, Syntagma Square, and Monastiraki remain well-lit and busy into the evening hours, reducing the risk of encountering undesirable situations.
In general, Plaka is one of the safer areas to visit in Athens, even at night. The district is often busy throughout the evening, which can make one feel secure. However, common travel considerations still apply.
Athens is home to priceless antiquities, but it's also one of Europe's more affordable capitals. It's easy to explore on foot, the sun and sea don't cost a thing, and you can find budget eats in every neighbourhood. Here's how to spend 48 hours in Athens on a shoestring.
The best neighborhoods of the city include Kerameikos, Psirri, Exarcheia, and Kypseli, all of which are fairly near the Acropolis, where the Airbnb market is abundant.
Technically the world's largest yard sale, the flea market known as the 127 Corridor is certainly the LONGEST outdoor market. Beginning on a highway in Jamestown, TN, this flea stretches hundreds of miles through North Covington, Kentucky, and continues all the way to Gadsden, Alabama.
From the classical architecture of the surrounding buildings to the street's charming old-world charm, Ermou Street offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and culture of Athens. Whether you are in the city for shopping or simply exploring, Ermou Street is a must-visit destination.
Athens is excellent for shopping, boasting a lot of commercial streets in every neighborhood, ideal for satisfying all of your capitalist tendencies. Ermou street, in specific, is the most commercial street of Athens located right at its center with its beginning found opposite the Greek parliament.
Kolonaki. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Lycabettus, Kolonaki is where the well-off Athenians live! This upscale neighborhood oozes charm in abundance as it seamlessly combines classic refinement with a modern artistic flair.
Is Athens safe at night? Athens is generally a safe place to be at night, but it is always advisable to take precautionary measures. The center of Athens and the neighborhoods around it are known for their vibrant nightlife since many people can be seen on the streets even after midnight.
Despite being a beautiful destination, travelers should be aware of the potential risks of pickpockets in the Plaka district and overpriced restaurants in Syntagma Square. Furthermore, visitors should avoid buying 'designer' knock-offs in Monastiraki flea market and unofficial photographers on the street.
Plaka. This picturesque neighbourhood is the oldest part of Athens, having been continuously inhabited for some 2,500 years. Its tangle of narrow bougainvillaea-bright alleys and paved pedestrian streets wind to the Acropolis high above, taking in neoclassical mansions, ancient sites and souvenir shops along the way.
What is the difference between Plaka and monastiraki?
Plaka is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens and is known for its charming, narrow streets, neoclassical architecture, and traditional tavernas. Monastiraki is a bustling neighborhood known for its lively flea market and street art.
The Athens Metro is considered safe and security guards, as well as cameras, are placed in every metro station. Unfortunately, as in every tourist destination, pickpocketing might occur so stay cautious and keep your belongings close to you.
I've walked all over Athens at various times of the morning, afternoon and night and never had felt any sense of danger. Plaka is the main tourist zone for Athens so it's always crowded all hours of the day and you'll be fine. As always, use common sense anywhere you go.
Don't assume that every vendor is out to overcharge you just because you're not a local. While bargaining used to be acceptable, it's a lot less so today. Unless you're clean sweeping a store, you're not really expected to shoot numbers back and forth. Obviously, if the price seems ridiculous, do speak out.
Shopping in Greece has become quite famous in recent years as the Greek markets are flooded with the best fashion pieces at the cheapest rates possible. Some people, in fact, prefer traveling to Greece with empty suitcases, just to fill them up with pieces bought in the local markets.
Greek jewellery includes rings, pendants, brooches, diadems, wreaths, armbands, thigh bands, bracelets, earrings and hair accessories, to name a few. These jewellery types were created using gold, silver, metal and gemstones. Gemstones were made into Greece from various parts of the world.
