i-D Concept Stores

This three-story shop, set in the heart of the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood, encourages the kind of slow-shopping where you can get a good idea of modern Greek fashion by checking out clothing and jewelry from local and international up-and-coming and established designers. You can also find gadgets and souvenirs. If you’re in the market for artworks, half of the top floor is an exhibition space devoted to Greek artists.

12 Kanari, tel. 210.322.1801, www.idconceptstores.com

eleni marneri gallery

This beautiful, colorful space near the Acropolis not only hosts art exhibitions but also boasts an excellent collection of Greek jewelry, both fine and costume, as well as cool Greek accessory brands like Salty Bag, which makes totes and purses from decommissioned sails. Roman ruins are visible through glass floors.

5-7 Lebessi & 16 Porinou, Makriyanni, tel. 210.861.9488, www.elenimarneri.com

Melissinos Sandals

The Melissinos family has been making sandals since 1920, but it was Stavros Melissinos, the poet-cum-sandal-maker that really made the shop a tourist attraction. Many designs are named after celebrities such as Jackie O, John Lennon and Sophia Loren, who purchased them.

7 Normanou, Monastiraki, tel. 210-331-1925, www.melissinos-sandals.gr

Paraphernalia

Rare decorative and design items from small workshops around the world make for perfect gifts. From vintage shaving kits to tote bags featuring symbols of the city, there’s plenty to explore.

15 I. Paparrigopoulou, tel. 213.034.3663, www.paraphernalia.gr

Rock and Roll Circus

Over 20,000 vinyl records are for sale in this charming shop where music is always playing. You’ll find lots of soul and jazz, box sets and rare editions. You can also sit by the wooden staircase, put on headphones and listen before purchasing.

21 Sina, tel. 210.362.0144

SOUVENIRs reinvented

Skip the cheesy souvenirs and bring home something that you’ll really love. Forget me NΩΤ features fabulous memorabilia that marries wonderful design with function – household objects, jewellery, t-shirts, funky sandals, and other Greek-inspired accessories (100 Adrianou). 

Flaneur is another cool shop where you’ll find smart gadgets for travelers and other objects, including diaries, tote bags and jewelry. (1 Flessa, tel. 210.322.6900).

ATTICA DEPARTMENTS STORE

Would you visit London without stopping by Harrods? Paris without dropping by Galleries Lafayette? The Athenian equivalent of these shopping institutions is Attica Department Stores (9 Panepistimiou), with 850 fashion and beauty brands and more than 350 shops in a shop, all in a listed 1940s building that covers an entire city block and also features the City Link arcade, with cafés, restaurants and bars for your shopping break.

Around the Voukourestiou Street

Just around the corner lies Voukourestiou, the most upscale shopping street in Athens. Through years of crisis it has survived, an unblemished paradise for mood-boosting browsing where you can find the country’s best jewelers, along with international designers like Dior and Prada, displaying their goods in gleaming windows.

Its lower half is pedestrianized and ideal for a stroll. Cartier (7 Voukourestiou), Chopard (2 Stadiou & Voukourestiou), Kassis (18 Voukourestiou), Kessaris (7 Panepistimiou & Voukourestiou), Ora Kessaris (8A Voukourestiou), Lalaounis (6 Panepistimiou & Voukourestiou), Louis Vuitton (19 Voukourestiou), Zolotas (10 Panepistimiou), Panaidis Eyewear Bouti que (11 Voukourestiou), Vildiridis (11 Voukourestiou) are only some of the luxury boutiques and jewelry stores you’ll find along the way, each filled with plenty of temptations to max out your credit card.