Climate
Spring and late autumn are the best times to visit Athens . Summer can be hot and dry.
Tourist information
The tourist information office. 24 Tsochas Street, Ambelokipi.
|
|
Athens shopping
Athens along with all of Greece and the Greek islands is known for its quaint outdoor markets as well as its modern malls. Items that are favorites of most tourists are Olive oil, Baked goods, Cheeses like Feta, Mizithra and Kasseri, a vast variety of wines including red wine, white wine, dessert wine and retsina, clothes such as T-shirts with Greek emblems, Art posters, Greek music, designer 22K gold and sterling silver jewelry, gifts from museums such as columns, busts, key chains, etc.
If you are traveling to the islands, you can get a variety of sunglasses, hats, fruits, nuts, pottery, and authentic Greek hand crafted incredible real gold and silver jewelry.
Another way to get unique yet authentic Greek treasures is to visit the Ekonomeas Gallery in the Plaka Area on the corner of Dexippou and Panos street. Here tourists can find incredible reproductions of most ancient artifacts similar to what you may see in the museums. These are made by the talented Greek artist, Antonis Pallas. They also offer international shipping.
In Athens, there are several malls where high quality and high fashion items are on sale. Internationally known brands of cosmetics, leather goods, foot wear, clothing, etc are on sale through the year. |
Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is one of the world's oldest cities, going back around 3,400 years. A cosmopolitan megacity , bustling Athens is the epicentre of financial, industrial and economic life in Greece. The build up to and continuance of commercial activity around the Olympic Games of 2004 has helped It in becoming a leading business centre in the European Union. It is located just a few kilometers from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital. In 2008, Athens was ranked the world's 32nd richest city by purchasing power, which strength has been undermined significantly in the current financial crisis gripping Europe.
Athens is one of those cities that has everything. Situated strategically at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, Athens has been famous for centuries as a centre for delicate craftsmanship; artistic jewellers, the vanishing breed of furriers, prime leatherworkers and experts on ceramic work. Some of Europe's leading brand names have moved in and set up at least one prominent store in the capital. Most visitors buy honey, olive oil, sponges, ceramics, gold and silver jewellery, shoes (a lesser-known craft, some of the best shoemakers and designers work in Greece), embroidery, gold filigree pottery. The choice is there, it's up to you to discover the variety on offer.
A walk around the famous historic triangle (Plaka, Thission, Psyri) is most educative. You will get to see high-end department stores and small intimate shops, glitzy restaurants and old world taverns side by side. The Plaka neighborhood is recommended if you are not too sure of what you wish to buy because it is here that you will find the widest range of products. The Plaka is the city's oldest marketplace, ‘pedestrians only’. Plaka began to commercialise in the late 1970s and is now home to an array of shops, restaurants and cafes. Tourists spend most of their money here.
On Ermou Street, in the Plaka neighbourhood, you can shop until your arms give way or you drop out of sheer exhaustion. Ermou Street is the number one shopping street in Greece, at par with some of the most famous shopping avenues in the world. The latest fashions are on display here, along with knick-knacks of various assortments. Most conventional markets work 0930-1930 hrs.
National & International Chains
o Alfa-Beta Vassilopoulos - National Chain (owned by the Belgian Delhaize Group)
81 Spaton Ave, Gerakas Attica, Website: www.ab.gr
Phone: +30 1 66 12 501, +30-10-6612501-9; Fax:+30 1 66 12 675
o Carrefour - International Chain (French owned). There are 9 branches in Athens, (including Dia - a hard discounter) the largest being Carrefour Marinopoulos - 63 Agiou Dimitriou, Alimos, Athens, 30 210 989 3400, 30 210 984 1912 fax, Website www.carrefour.gr
The Monastiraki flea market is where everyone goes on Sunday. Every Athenian seems to be here, for one purpose or the other and is apparently either buying or selling. Get in early because after about 11 am, it becomes too crowded. It stretches on forever, well beyond Monastiraki and into the areas of Thission and Psiri. Access is from Plaka or Syntagma.
|
