Shopping

Whatever your shopping tastes and needs, in Athens you’ll find everything money can buy. From big shopping malls to small boutique shops, get ready to indulge yourself and take advantage of the summer sales until the end of August.

By ELEnI BEzIrIAnOGLOu

InternatIonal Brands

Balenciaga

Bright, minimal boutique with small wonders. Evangelismos, 17 Skoufa Str., Kolonaki, +302107290151

Enny Di Monaco

Mugler, Louboutin, Nina Ricci, Zac Posen... shall we say more? Evangelismos, 23 Herodotou Str., Kolonaki, +302107290805/ Tria Pigadia, Mykonos, +302289077100

Free Shop

Perfect T-shirts, unique jewellery and accessories. A modern “Colette”. Panepistimio, 17 Skoufa Str., +302103616200

Gucci

Indulge yourself. Don’t forget the Jackie ’O purse. 3 Venizelou Eleftheriou Str., Athens, +302103610870

Hermès

Endless window shopping. Arty displays. Hermès. Panepistimio, City Link, 1 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103233715

Linea Piu

Greek Rue Cambon. Chanel, Blumarine, Galliano, Tom Ford. All chosen carefully. Panepistimio, 6 Sekeri Str., Kolonaki, +302103606125, lineapiu.gr

Louis Vuitton

Style does matter and this is the real thing. Panepistimio, 19 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103613938

Luisa

Designer names from Lanvin and Chloé to Cavalli and Stella McCartney. Not forgetting Yves Saint Laurent, ManoloBlahnik, Pucci and Jean Paul Gaultier. Panepistimio, 15 Skoufa Str., Kolonaki, +302103635600, luisa.gr

Mah Jong

A men’s store with excellent international brands. If you have a passion for KITON men’s suits, you will find them in a wide variety and surmesure. You will also find the insuperable leather accessories of the Neapolitan brand Tramontano, Sartori, Santangelo, John Lobb shoes, Roda’s wonderful silk scarves and more. Panepistimio, 14 Kanari Str., Kolonaki, +302103622860

Off White

Virgil Abloh’s Italian luxury fashion label is now in Athens. Fashionable items, accessories, jewelry for men, women, children. 5 Stadiou Str., Syntagma

Prada

The Devil wears them and here you too can purchase a small “devilish” piece. Then you might want to change your name to Meryl. Panepistimio, 17 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103388386

Sotris

Glamorous clothes from famous exclusive brands like Topshop, Dries Van Noten, Marni. Vintage pieces can be found at the first address. 30 Panagiotou Anagnostopoulou Str., Kolonaki +302103610662/ Golden Hall, 1st floor, sotris.gr

Tezenis

Cosmopolitan stores with youthful collections of underwear, beachwear and nightwear, enhanced every week with new items. For women, men and kids. Panepistimio, 28 Stadiou Str., +302103225469

Calzedonia

Authentic, trendy and fashionable socks and beachwear for women, men and kids, in a highly competitive quality / price ratio. 30 Stadiou Str., Syntagma, +302103253125 / 15 Patriarchou Ioakeim Str., Kolonaki

Intimissimi

Amazing lingerie with simple, elegant Italian style, for both men and women. 5 Kanari Str., Kolonaki, +302103611883

SaleS

The official sales periods are mid-January to mid-February and mid-July until the end of august.

Where To Shop

Downtown is the place to be, whether you are looking for brand names or small vintage shops and second-hand stores. plaka, the foremost tourist area, is the standard place to buy memorabilia. Nearby, Monastiraki is home to a famous athenian flea market. Visitors will lose themselves in a huge variety of shops that appeal to aficionados of records, jewellery, clothes, shoes and all things vintage. This is an area in which haggling is accepted by the playful and friendly shop owners. Between Monastiraki sq. and omonia sq., one comes across the athens Central Market, a good place to buy some local herbs. ermou street is by far the most celebrated shopping street: a pedestrian street with large windows and a great variety of goodies, from clothes and jewellery to shoes and gifts. But when it comes to expensive brand shopping, Kolonaki is the perfect place to be. luxury clothing, high prices and impeccably dressed customers are the norm here.

Keep iN MiND

pay a visit to the New Benaki Museum (138 pireosStr.); its Greek handmade jewellery is a delight. Buy a small figurine in the gift shop of the Cycladic art Museum (Vasilissis Sofias & 1 irodotou Str.).

Clothes and accessories by ioanna Kourbela and Zeus + Dione rate among the most elegant examples of Greek design. Try to do your shopping in the morning. You will come across all the major international brands on Voukourestiou Str.

Shopping centres attica (9 panepistimiou str., athens city centre) and Golden hall (37a Kifissias av., Maroussi) sport the widest variety of shops if you have time to kill, have a look at the interesting markets of Kifissia (northern suburbs) and Glyfada (southern suburbs).

Greek DesiGners

Daphne Valente

Η Daphne Valente designs timeless, sculptural clothes inspired by the Ancient Greek pleating of Mariano Fortuny. Minimal and very feminine, the clothes offer the epitome of greek haute couture. Syntagma, 3 Axarlian Athanasiou Str., Syntagma, +302103242260

DeuxHommes

The studio and showroom of Grigoris Triantafyllou and Dimitris Alexakis is the hottest place to find a limited prêt-à-porter and the current collection of the unbeatable duo. Panepistimio, 18 Kanari Str., Kolonaki, +302103614155, deuxhommes.gr

Kimalé

An innovative fashion brand that celebrates the “joie de vivre” of the global riviera. Established by Irène Mamfredos, a French designer, Kimalé merges bold African fabrics with clean and contemporary silhouettes. Limited edition clothes, jewelry and home accessories which playfully navigate between the colorful palette of African culture and the minimal side of contemporary fashion. Every item is made with love and craftsmanship in downtown Athens. Panepistimio, 21 Mavromihali Str., Exarheia, Athens, +302130292865, www.kimale.co

Parthenis

Orsalia Parthenis creates timeless fashion with a genderbending, minimal feel and elegant Greek aesthetic. Premium basics in high quality fabrics, interspersed with statement pieces, create wardrobe staples for a refined and elevated everyday look. This Summer, the iconic Greek fashion house meets the dynamic lines of David Downton, one of the world’s leading fashion artists. The collection features beachwear and pieces that reflect the common passion for timeless sophistication and a super modern look. Panepistimio 20 Dimokritou & Tsakalof Str., Kolonaki, +302103633158, orsalia-parthenis.gr

Sophie Deloudi

Sophie Deloudi’s collections reflect her values and principles on design and fashion: high quality, perfect lining, impeccable fitting, flawless finishing, clean shapes and str.ong discrete femininity. Elaborated, edged silhouettes and insinuated sensuousness integrate the pieces destined to dress confident and elegant women on their way to the beach. Its eras’ aura combines classic design heritage of the past with a synchronous point of view. Attica City Link, 9 Panepistimiou Str., Athens, +302119900000, sophiedeloudi.gr

Yiorgos Eleftheriades Space (Flagship store)

Yiorgos Eleftheriades constructs in a mesmerizing way intellectual sartorial creations in graceful silhouettes whose dynamic nature consistently maintain balance together with fluidity. For many years, he has been cooperating with some of the most important directors and actors/actresses in Greece. The brand’s collections have been showcased in Athens, Milan, Paris and Barcelona. Evangelismos, 29 Tsakalof & Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103616272, yiorgoseleftheriades.gr

Zeus + Δione

This is the Greek Maison Hermes. Exeptionally tasteful clothes and accessories based on refined craftsmanship. Leather sandals, handbags and gold jewellery in wonderful designs made with high quality exclusivelly Greek materials. If you’re going to take home one quality souvenir from Athens, then go for this brand. 6 Voukourestiou Str., Syntagma, +302103230132

Greek DesiGn Celia Kritharioti

Haute Couture Collections to Bridal Collections, special collaborations and red carpet looks. 8 Dedalou Str., Syntagma, +302107255357

i-D concept store

A bright world of items unfolds in front of those who love style and modern aesthetics. Amazing jewelry, created by the most famous Greek and foreign designers, but also costume jewelry (these pieces that spice up your everyday outfits). Don’t miss out on the bags: the big collection includes avantgarde designs and more casual suggestions for every taste. Evangelismos, 12 Kanari Str., Kolonaki, +302103221801

Lemisios Shoes

Lemisios is a lovely store that opened in the heart of Athens in 1912. Here, you can have the shoes of yours dreams thanks to their custom-made orders. You will also find high quality leather sandals and ballet flats better than Repettos! Lemisios shoes are not only exceptional, but a real fashion statement. Panepistimio, 6 Likavittou Str., Athens, +302103611161, fb: lemisios shoes Since 1912

Savapile

A family-owned company manufacturing beautiful, fisherman’s wicker hats, that began in 1960. These hats, typical of the Greek summer, are handmade in many different shapes. The most famous of these is the naval cap, known as the “Zorba cap”. And the most impressive, the huge, sexy str.aw hat that works more like a parasol. 14 Monastiraki Agias Eleoussis Str., Psyrri, +302103217087, @savapile

Vassilis Zoulias

Greek fashion designer who respects and translates the historical implications that an outfit holds to today’s era, always

When you’re out and about in Athens, upload your favourite moments on instagram using the hashtag #lookmag

respecting each time’s aura. Some of his creations are seen in Netflix series “Emily in Paris“. 4 Akadimias Str., Syntagma, +302107225613

Jewellery

Both Jewellery Studio

The creative meeting of two jewellery designers, George Giannoutsos and Vasia Pachi. Here, the process of jewellery design and construction is seen through all its different stages from the initial concept to the finished product. This is true not only of George and Vasia’s own collections, but also of individual commissions. Acropoli, 9 Veikou Str., Acropolis, +302114167791

Bvlgari

A “B.zero1” ring or an “Assioma” watch are the must-have items, if you want to invest in Bulgari. 20 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103609400

Cartier

You don’t have to be extra loaded to own a Cartier. This is where you can find the young collection “Entrelaces”, whose rings don’t cost much, as well as the ultimate “Love” bracelets and rock “Marcello” bags. Panepistimio, City Link, 7 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103313600, cartier.com

Fanourakis Greek designer

LinaFanouraki’sjewellery is ultimately Greek spirited but does not resemble at all the traditional ancient, like necklaces and wreaths. Using the prime materials of high-end goldsmithery, her work is modern and humorous but always classy. Evangelismos, 23 Patriarchou Ioakim Str., Kolonaki, +302107211762

Ileana Makri Store

Ileana Makri is a well-known Greek jewelry designer. Her fine designs are inspired by a multitude of symbols that exist in popular Greek culture and their meanings, such as the beads that protect of the “evil eye”, the monks’ worry beads, iridescent beetles and bugs of the Greek nature, the sea urchin and more.

Except for the tourist hotspots, like Plaka, most shops are closed on Sundays and National Holidays, with the exception of flower shops, patisseries, liquor stores and the like.

Official business opening hours are 09:00-21:00 on weekdays (09:00-20:00 on Sat). However, many smaller businesses keep the older working hours (closed after 15:00 on Mon, Wed, Sat and between 14:30 and 17:30 on Tue, Thu, Fri).

Evangelismos, 13-15 Patriarchou Ioakeim Str., +302107217982, ileanamakri.com

Kessaris

Diamonds and blues… Those aren’t icebergs – they’re diamond rings! Salesmen can be quite snobbish, but the quality is great. You’ll know the owner by his red glasses. 8a Voukourestiou Str., Syntagma, +302103711020, kessaris.gr

Lalaounis

The heart of the internationally recognisedjewellery house is located in Kolonaki. As IliasLalaounis says, “every jewel has its own history”, whether it begins in Mycenae or in Byzantium. We’ve seen CharlizeTheron wearing them. Map I13 Panepistimio, 6 Panepistimiou & Voukourestiou Str., +302103611371, iliaslalaounis.eu/portfolio

Liana Vourakis

Liana continues to honour the founding principles of her grandfather. Her collections combine fantasy and imagination along with a certain sense of nostalgia. 42 Pindarou Str., Kolonaki, +302103619441, info@vourakisliana.gr

Lito - Cabinet de Curiosités

Jewels that tell stories from long travel. Thailand, Arizona, India and Egypt. A small private museum full of treasures with the Lito Karakostanoglou signature who transforms anything old into a modern rock suggestion. Panepistimio, 25 Irodotou Str., Kolonaki, +302107295177

Marianna Petridi

Beloved artistic jewellery gallery with a permanent showroom for Greek and foreign designers. Evangelismos, 34 Charitos Str., Kolonaki, +302107217789

Minas

The ultimate rock designer. Vintage all-time classic jewels, the first choice among the trendy youth. 8 Emmanouil Benaki Str., Kifissia, +302106233577, minas-designs.com

Swatch

Code: colour. The must-have Swiss watch, you can’t stop at one. 5 Hermou Str., Syntagma, +302103313833, swatch.com/gr_el/home.html

Shopping CentreS

Attica

360 shops in a shop. Upmarket department store, the biggest in the city. A comprehensive selection of designer wear (Armani, Burberry, Juicy Couture, Missoni, etc.), casual brands, accessories, exclusive Joe Malone and Molton Brown distr.ibutor. A great view from the 6th floor café, and full beauty treatment on the 4th floor. 9 Panepistimiou Str., Sintagma, +302119900000, atticadps.gr

Golden Hall

Luxurious shopping centre with expensive brands, clothes, accessories, jewelry, sportswear, cosmetics, art objects, Doudesis hair salon, Mastic Spa for special beauty treatment and more. Be warned: it gets extremely crowded on a Saturday. 37A Kifisias Av., Marousi, +302106803450, goldenhall.gr

Hondos Center

It can provide you with everything you need, for your season shopping or just for a tiny elegant gift. Or go straight to the roof garden, for tasty traditional Greek cuisine, and the most beautiful view. Omonia, 4 Omonia Sq, +302105282800, hondoscenter.com

Notos Galleries

A standard department store primarily selling clothes and satisfying most of the consumption needs of the modern Athenian. Clothes, shoes, underwear, accessories, sportswear, toys. Omonia, 99 Eolou & Lykourgou Str., +302103245811, notosgalleries.gr

Shopping Spree at McArthurGlen

A mega store filled with popular brand names in clothing, shoes,

SAVAPIlE

Established in 1960, the Savapile handmade hats’ workshop is still on the same narrow alley of Psyrri neighborhood, where Lisa creates floppy dreams of “straw”. Lisa Sariyiannidou, the passionate chapelier modiste, took the reins of herfather’s business after he stood down in 2011, determined to keep the legacy of his craftsmanship alive and flourishing. Apart from the straw hats, Savapile’s reputation grew for its naval caps, commonly known as “the Zorba hat”. However, the undisputed trademark of Savapile is the oversized hats, staples of summer and female allure that Lisa sews in her sewing machine. 4 Agias Eleousis Str., Psyrri, 2103217087, @savapile

3QUARTERS

Lazing on a terrace or strolling around the city streets looking up the sky, a distinctive pattern dominates your horizon: the awnings on the balconies; green, orange, white, blue, with stripes or flower motifs, some new, some old and worn-out or torn by the wind, the rain or time, but still at place. A piece of canvas reflects the very texture of urban reality. The Athenian awnings have been an integral part of the city’s architecture, its trademark. 3QUARTERS turned this unique trademark into fashionable handmade handbags. Reuse, redefine, redesign. There is beauty in everything, throw nothing away. The message is clear. The result: beautiful, one-of-a-kind handbags made by old awnings’ canvas. 19 Agiou Dimitriou Str., Psyrri

accessories and household goods with 35 to 70% discount. +302106630840, more information on mcarthurglenathens.com

The Mall Athens

200 shops within a shop, the Village cinema complex, restaurants and cafés and a super market, all wrapped up in a futuristic design with a roof garden offering an amazing view. 35 Andrea Papandreou Str., Maroussi, +302106300000-003, themallathens.gr

Beauty- Care CosmetiCs

Korres

Natural Greek skincare and beauty products with exclusively natural and/or certified organic ingredients of best quality. 4 Hermou Str., Syntagma, +302103210054

Mastiha Shop

Mastic is a unique natural product that can be found only on the Greek island of Chios. The brand’s collaboration with Korres has developed exceptional products such as the mastic conditioner with mastic oil and provitamins. Panepistimio, 6 Panepistimiou & Kriezotou Str., +302103632750

Naxos Apothecary

Four in-house contemporary laboratories (Homeopathy, Phytotherapy, herbal Cosmetic and Nutrition) operate in fully controlled environments creating everything your body needs. Syntagma, 3-5 Kolokotroni Str., Syntagma, +302107222774

Sephora

All the latest fragrances, plus all the alternative collections that set global trends: Make up for ever, Sephora Products, Strivectin, OPI. Syntagma, 24 Ermou Str., Syntagma, +30 2103313167/ 2 Milioni Str., Kolonaki, +302103613051/ The Mall Athens, Marousi, +302106300125

The APIVITA Experience Store

A renovated neo-classical building designed to offer a unique and holistic experience, this is Athens’s top destination for natural cosmetics, SPA treatments, “green” hair salon and organic juice bar to refresh and energize. Discover the “natural pharmacy” where the specialists can help you create your own personal cosmetics and of course, the BEEHIVE SPA, a real beehive spa sanctuary! The spa cabins are made of real wooden bee hive parts and the ceiling is made of honey tinted crystal elements that literally immerse the visitor in the bee world. 6 Solonos Str., Kolonaki, +302103640560

Hair salons

D. Frank

Hair cuts, coiffures, flashes, colours, everything a classical hair salon offers, as well as lots of surprises. Fragiskos is still the top Scissorhands. 50 Sina & Anagnostopoulou Str., Kolonaki, +302103603298

Georgios Doudessis

GeorgiosDoudesis’ professionalism and modern aesthetics changed the world view of Athenian hair salons forever. 39 Voukourestiou Str., Kolonaki, +302103629960, doudesis.com

Vangelis Hatzis

The best hairdresser in town. He will give you the style and haircut you didn't know you wanted but absolutely needed. The most luxurious service. Slightly specialised in naturallooking blonde colours. But don’t even think of turning up without an appointment. 196 Kifissias Av., Psichiko, +302106755664, vangelishatzis.gr