Kolonaki & Lycavittos Hill
If you like contemporary fashion, Kolonaki is the place for you. The great thing about the area is that you can alternate shopping with coffee breaks in any of the zillion cafés you spot on your way. Your steps will unavoidably bring you to Tsakalof Street, aka the “catwalk”, named after its strategically placed cafés, packed with trendy people in shades, watching you go by. You can use the Syntagma or Evangelismos metro stations to get to Kolonaki.
Zara Home
- 19a, Irodotou Street, Kolonaki, Tel: +30 210 7232877
The full collection of decorative items from the famous budget brand is displayed in a three-storey building.
Louisa
- 17 Skoufa, 210 3635600
The clothes racks in Louisa are packed with high-end designer items from Chloe and Missoni to Narciso Rodriguez and Marc Jacobs. Very expensive, very fashionable.
To Pehnidi (the toy)
- 12 Solonos, 210 3631652
Since 1978, this toy store has been selling wooden toys and cardboard games.
Parthenis
- 20 Dimokritou & Tsakalof, 210 3633158
Greek designer Parthenis is known for its signature understated clothes.
Kafekoption Miseyannis
- 7 Leventi Street, 210 7210036
As soon as you turn from Anagnostopoulou Street into Leventi, your nose im- mediately catches a whiff of fresh-ground coffee. Choose your favourite variety and have it ground on the spot, or buy one of its specialty teas and Chinese pots to match.
Thiros
- 21 Pindarou Street, 210 3628445
Quality Greek leather bags are just a five minute walk away from the main square. Look out for the casual leather cross-body bags in trendy colors, or the classic medium-sized bags to fit your work folders.
Christakis
- 5 Kriezotou Sreet, Kolonaki, Tel: +30 210 3613030
One of the oldest names in menswear, Christakis makes impeccable sur mesure shirts that will make you look like George Clooney.
1900
- 35 Ipsiladou & Ploutarhou, Kolonaki, 210 7220511 / M: Evangelismos
If, looking at your reflection in the squeaky clean windows of in Kolonaki you decide you need a haircut, head to this old-school barber shop, where service is as good as its classic décor. Sit back on the massive leather chair and enjoy a perfect haircut in a 1940s surrounding.
iStorm
- 19-20 Kolonaki Square, 211 9997590
The numerous fans of Apple products find here all their beloved products – iPhones,
iPads, iPods, iMacs and iEverything.
Vassilis Zoulias
- Corner of Acadimias & Lycavittou Streets, 2103389924
Grek designer Vassilis Zoulias loves the 40s and the 50s and his collections of silk and taffeta dresses will make you look like you just walked out of a WWII movie set. His lime-coloured boutique also houses a beautiful collection of high- heeled sandals, bags and chic ballerinas.
Euxes
- 23, Alopekis Street, 210 7228715 / / http:// www.efxes.gr/index.php/en/ / email: [email protected]
Are you thinking of having your wedding or christening in Greece? Euxes (pronounced Efhes) is the store to visit. Since 1996, Euxes has specialised in bridal and christening accessories, made of the finest eco- friendly materials, like linen, cotton and silk. Choose from a wide range of styles and materials for your dream wedding sweet-boxes, hair accessories, or cute, hand-embroidered childrens’ clothes.
Kalogirou
- 4 Patriarhou Ioakim, Kolonaki Square, 210 3356401 / Metro: Syntagma
This is where Carrie Brad- shaw would buy shoes from if she lived in Athens.
Degustation
- 5 Koumbari Street, Kolonaki square, 210 3627744
A well-established deli with a comprehensive stock of gourmet products. There are delicacies prepared and brought in from Greece and Italy. If Mediterranean cuisine is your favourite, make a stop.
Maison Du Fromage
- 10 Kapsali, Kolonaki, 210 7248101
As the name suggests, this is mainly a house of cheese, both Greek and French, though you will also find foie gras and smoked salmon. If your cholesterol level allows it, you will be spoilt for choice.
Fanourakis
- 23 Patriarhou Ioakim, Kolonaki, 210 7211762
There are quite a few good jewellery makers in Athens and is one of the most prominent. He has earned his reputation with his unrivalled skill in capturing details in gold, creating insects and flowers that seem as good as alive. The red and electric blue poppies are masterpieces and so are the rings. Their prices are steep but the items are unique.
Sotris
- 41 Voukourestiou, Kolonaki, 210 3610662 / Metro: Syntagma
Greek and international luxury brands under one roof. Sotris has made a name for cutting edge fashion.
Folli-Follie
- 25 Solonos, Kolonaki, 210 3632487 / 6 Tsakalof, Kolonaki, 210 3613983
For cheaper, yet great jewel- lery, check this Greek chain store. It has a wide selection of silver, gold and platinum items, as well as bulgy jewellery with semi-precious stones. Add to that a classic collection of leather and fabric bags and colourful shawls and you have a one- stop-shop for accessorising an evening outing.
Apivita
- 26 Solonos, Kolonaki, 210 3640760
Another Greek success story, Apivita also uses plant extracts to create its products. Apivita’s instant avocado hair mask is great for nourishing dehydrated hair and the very useful chamomile face tissues are essentials for the long boat trip to the islands. Apivita’s shampoos are its strength, while you’ll love the face masks in their flat packaging, perfect for shoving into your suitcase.
The shop on Kriezotou Street is housed at the ground floor of the restored mansion which belonged to the renowned Greek cubist painter, Nikos Hatzikyriakos-Gikas. Benaki Museum has masterfully restored the interior of the house back to its 1930s glory, aiming to open it soon to the public.
Benaki Museum also houses a smaller, two-room shop in its main building (1 Koumbari Street), where you will find archaic figurines, traditional village textiles, postcards, golden classic jewellery and Byzantine religious icons.
The Islamic Museum’s (22 Aghion Asomaton & Dipylou Street) small shop sells books on its magnificent collection and generally on Islamic art, as well as beautiful ceramic plates with Islamic designs and colourful napkin rings.
The Museum of Cycladic Art (4 Neofytou Douka, Kolonaki) has beautiful replicas of the iconic, marble Cycladic figurines. Prices are very reasonable and make for great gifts. You will also find excellent pottery, miniature olive trees and silverware.
For modern Greek artwork, head to Benaki Museum’s Pireos Avenue Annexe (138 Pireos Avenue, Gazi), which has objects relating to the temporary exhibitions, art and architecture books, funky jewellery, colourful stationary, knitted pillows, decorative items and wall stencils.
The Museum of Greek Folk Art recently opened its own shop (45 Adrianou Street, Monastiraki), with traditional hand-embroidery, shadow puppets, children’s toys, jewelry, scarves, books and decorative objects, inspired by the museum’s rich collection.
- Benaki Shop (3 Kriezotou Street, Kolonaki, 210 3630204)
- Benaki Museum (1 Koumbari, Kolonaki)
- Museum of Cycladic Art (4 Neofytou Douka, Kolonaki)
- Benaki Museum, Pireos Annexe (138 Pireos Avenue, Gazi, 210 345311)
- Museum of Greek Folk Art (45 Adrianou Street, Monastiraki)
Psiri & Gazi
Apostolos Fotiadis
- 15 Pittaki, Psiri / Metro: Monastiraki
This store has an interesting selection of Greek antiques in reasonable prices. Keep walking around Psiri neighbourhood and you will spot many little shops with old stuff at sale, such as old poster ads, vinyl records, lamps etc. You will need time to separate the wheat from the chaff, but you never know what small treasures you might uncover.
Omonia & inner city
Hondos Centre
- Omonia square, Omonia, 210 5221335 / Metro: Omonia
A massive 10-storey multi-store that includes everything you could possibly buy; clothes for men and women, cosmetics, shoes, underwear, swimwear.
Notos Galleries / Notos Galleries Home
- Kotzia square, Omonia, 210 3245811 / Metro: Omonia
Another mega-store, the former selling many contemporary brands for me and women, the latter specializing in homeware (indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchenware etc).
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