Athens Local Products: A Complete List of All the Local Greek Products You’ll Find in Athens

Travelers who visit Athens rarely go home empty-handed. There are so many kinds of traditional local Greek products to be found in the streets, shops, and flea markets of Athens that trying to get a taste of all or fitting all your finds in your suitcase to take back home is going to be impossible.

To make your life easier and your trip a bit more delicious, we have compiled a list of all the local Greek products you’ll find in Athens, the best places to buy them, and a few local tips for places that will become the highlights of your trip.

Keep reading and get your shopping lists ready!

Arts and Crafts Products in Athens

Carpets and Rugs

The art of making carpets and rugs is deeply rooted in the Greek tradition.

For centuries, locals have made all kinds of carpets to protect their homes from the harsh conditions of cold winters, especially in northern Greece.

A good example of carpet-making in Greece is the traditional “flokati”, a colorful rug that is traditionally made using hand-woven sheep or goat wool in the mountainous, colder regions of the country.

Handmade carpets and rugs are still common throughout Greece today.

The areas famous for producing the most impressive carpets include Lefkada island, Karditsa, Tripolis, and Metsovo.

Of course, these are later on imported to the capital city of Athens and are available for sale in the most famous tourist areas for a wide range of prices.

Little known fact: the arts of weaving and carpet-making have been continuously practiced in Greece ever since ancient times. You can even find numerous references in Homer’s famous epics, the Odyssey and the Iliad, to attest to this fact!

Where to buy traditional carpets and rugs in Athens

There are plenty of carpet stores in the area of Plaka.

Just browse through the hanging exhibits, and you’ll be amazed. Make sure to visit “The Loom”, an exceptional carpet store located on Adrianou 94.

Leather Products

Greek leather products are probably the most famous local products among travelers and the ones chosen as souvenirs most often.

Greece is known for producing quality leather, and locals are no strangers to the art of turning it into high-end fashion items like handbags, purses, gloves, shoes, and sandals.

The latter being, of course, the most widely sold leather product in Athens.

Prices for leather accessories can range from a few euros for a simple souvenir to hundreds of euros for a designer’s handbag.

Where to buy leather products in Athens

If you are looking for affordable leather clothing and accessories, the neighborhood of Psyrri, the famous flea market of Monastiraki, and Ifaistou street will be your safest bets.

For high-end fashion, stroll through Kolonaki or Ermou street shopping streets.

Local’s tip: Make sure to pay a visit to the workshop of Stavros Melissinos, the internationally acclaimed poet-sandal maker of Athens, located on Normanou street 7, Monastiraki.

Musical Instruments

If you have already visited Athens and had the chance to go for a walk through the popular nightlife areas of the city, you might have come across the peculiar sounds of “the rebetika”, traditional Greek folk music from the 20s and the 30s, played with traditional Greek musical instruments.

Music lovers will be delighted to know that you can actually purchase all kinds of musical instruments in Athens along with music records, books, and teaching material.

Here are a few examples of Greek musical instruments you’ll find in Athens:

• Bouzouki (the popular 3-string “lead” instrument of rebetika)
• Laouto (a guitar-like string instrument)
• Flogera (a version of the flute)
• Klarino (a variation of the clarinet)
• Santouri ( a traditional hammered dulcimer)
• Tsabuna (the Greek version of the bagpipe)
• Lyra (an ancestor of the violin)

Where to buy Greek musical instruments in Athens

You can find most of the instruments listed above in the flea market of Monastiraki, in small stores in Plaka, and in specialized music stores in Exarchia.

Jewelry

Jewelry is often overlooked when it comes to exploring the local products of Athens. Yet, local shops feature impressive collections of all kinds of jewelry for any budget.

You can find impeccable gold designer pieces in the shopping streets of Syntagma and Kolonaki and affordable silver jewelry in the stores of Plaka and the street vendors in Thission and Monastiraki.

Local’s tip: If you’re looking for something really special to take back home, make sure to check out the museum souvenir shops for replicas of ancient Greek jewelry and other gems. Check out the collections at the Benaki Museum, the Cycladic Art Museum, and, of course, the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum.

Where to buy jewelry in Athens

For high-end jewelry, head for Ermou Street, the famous shopping street that runs through Syntagma or the main streets of Kolonaki.

Make sure to visit the most famous jewelry designer stores in Athens: Kessaris, Ilias Lalaounis, and Bvlgari in Syntagma.

For more affordable options, browse the street vendor stalls on Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street.

Other Handicrafts

We’re not done here yet. There are all kinds of unusual artifacts, souvenirs, and knick-knacks that you will see on stalls and store windows in Athens.

We will list a few below to save you some time asking the vendors what each one is.

• Ceramics: Walk through the streets of Monastiraki, and you’ll notice tens of souvenir shops offering all kinds of ceramic pots, pans, and ornaments with designs that were in circulation centuries ago.
• Religious artifacts: The Orthodox religion is deeply rooted in Greek culture. Coming across Byzantine icons, incense burners and other ceremonial objects in Athens is more common than you might think.
• Shadow puppetry: Greece has a long tradition of shadow puppetry. There was a time when whole towns would gather to watch the best performers. Karagkiozis is the name of the most popular hero of local folklore, who appeared in almost every single play. Today, you can still find shadow puppets and other kinds of figurines on sale inspired by the adventures of Karagkiozis.
• The Evil Eye and the Wise Owl: Two of the most prominent symbols of local culture. The evil eye refers to any eye-shaped object (usually a talisman) that can protect the bearer from curses. The wise owl is a small figurine that symbolizes wisdom (the owl was the spirit animal of Goddess Athena) and brings luck.
• Replicas of Ancient Artifacts: Locals use metal, bronze, iron, wood, and stone to recreate impeccable replicas of ancient statues, jewelry, and vases that make for the most amazing souvenirs to take home from your trip

Food and Drink Products in Athens

Food in Greece is a serious matter.

It’s more than just having an enjoyable meal; it’s a whole culture. Greek gastronomy is famous worldwide for its incomparable tastes and unique local products.

Luckily for you, you can easily find all kinds of food and drinks throughout Athens in street stalls, food markets, small eateries, delis, and restaurants.

Your only problem is going to be which ones to sample first.

In fact, there are so many options for local food and drinks in Athens that we have decided to put together the list below to help you out.

Local’s tip: If you only have a few days or even hours in Athens, make sure to visit the Athens Central Market for a full-blown culinary experience: here you’ll find the most popular local food products to taste on the spot or take back home as a souvenir.

Greek Olive Oil and Olives

Let’s kick it off with the classics.

Olive oil is the foundation of traditional Greek cuisine and is used in almost every dish.

In fact, Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil and olives in the world, and locals are extremely proud of their olive oil.

Olive oil is generally classified into three categories: pure, virgin, and extra virgin, depending on the quality and purity.

Look for extra virgin olive oil produced in Kalamata, Crete, Pelion, or Amfissa – the areas known for making the tastiest olive oil in Greece.

Where to buy olive oil in Athens

You can buy olive oil pretty much everywhere in Athens, especially in the historic center. Check out the shops on Evripidou street that sell local products.

Greek Coffee and Tea

Locals can be divided into two groups: those that prefer tea and those that prefer coffee.

The latter is significantly larger, but Greek tea and coffee are very popular and can be found around Athens.

Where to buy Greek coffee and tea in Athens

For a complete Greek coffee experience, visit the Loumidis store just a few meters off Omonoia Square. With over a hundred years in the business, Loumidis is one of the most popular coffee producers in the country.

If you’re a tea lover, you must check out “O Dromos tou Tsagiou” (The tea route) on Kapsali Street in Kolonaki. There, you’ll find more tea varieties than you ever thought existed.

Greek Cheese and Cold Cuts

Dairy products and cold cuts are important to Greek cuisine and culture.

We’re certain you’re already familiar with feta, the famous Greek white cheese, but you probably don’t know that there are virtually countless different kinds of Greek cheese, each with its distinct aromas and flavors.

The same goes for cold cuts, even though they are less famous than local dairy products.

Below are two brief lists with all the must-eats for your visit to Athens.

Where to buy Greek cheese and cold cuts in Athens

You’ll find most of the above all over Athens but make sure to visit Roumeli, the legendary dairy food store called “Roumeli” on Panormou Street in Ambelokipoi, and the popular delicatessen called “Karamanlidika tou Fani” (which is also an amazing tavern) on Evripidou street, a minute away from Athens Central Market.

Dried Fruit, Nuts and Vegetables

The Mediterranean climate of Greece favors the production of a wide range of delicious fruit, vegetables, and nuts, which are often the main reasons why local cuisine is so tasty.

Some are famous, like the pistachios of Aegina, the fava beans of Santorini, or the oranges of the Peloponnese, but you can also dig deeper to uncover hidden culinary gems like the aubergines of Leonidio, the apples of Zagora, the black cherries from northern Greece, the white figs of Kymi and many more.

Taste them on the spot or get a vacuum-sealed pack to amaze your friends back home.

Where to buy dried fruit, nuts, and vegetables in Athens

You’ll have no trouble finding fruit and nuts in the streets of Athens in all kinds of delis and plain supermarkets.

However, if you’re looking for some real high-end stuff, visit “Greek Luxury Products” on Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue or “Era Nuts” on Patriarchou Ioakim Street in Kolonaki.

Greek Herbs and Spices

Local herbs and spices are the most popular options among travelers regarding edible souvenirs in Athens.

Just a spoonful of a mixture of Greek spices will be enough to remind you of your trip every time you cook a meal back home.

Stock up on oregano, thyme, saffron from Kozani (one of the most valuable Greek spices which is said to have been used since ancient times), cumin, cinnamon, dried garlic, and rosemary, and your trip to Athens will have the most pleasant aftertaste.

Where to buy Greek herbs and spices in Athens

Head for Evripidou Street in Athens downtown, a narrow street that brims with all kinds of small shops that offer local products, herbs, spices, and much more, and browse through all the different kinds.

While there, make sure to pass by the Athens Central Market for a completely unique shopping experience.

Greek Wines and Spirits

What’s a good meal without a glass of wine or a chilled bottle of raki to accompany it?

Alcoholic drinks play an important part in everyday life in Greece.

And while we’re certain that you’ll get the chance to try out a few of them while eating out in restaurants and tavernas in Athens, we’re also quite sure you’ll decide to get a bottle or two with you when leaving.

Your top picks should include ouzo, the famous anise-flavored drink from Mytilene, raki from Crete, tsipouro from Volos, masticha liqueur from Chios, Metaxa (the Greek version of brandy) as well as wine and retsina.

Where to buy Greek wines and spirits in Athens

The short answer is everywhere. Before you do, however, you might as well consult with a few bartenders around town – the real experts.

Try Brettos Bar on Kidathineon Street in Plaka for example; it’s one of the oldest bars in town with an impeccable collection of spirits and wine labels.

Other Local Culinary Wonders

We’re far from over-listing all the gastronomical delights you can find in Athens.

Apart from all the above, you can’t miss out on plenty of things during your trip to Athens.

We will list some of our recommendations below to give you a few ideas but we suggest that you always keep an eye out for unusual treats when roaming Athens; the city will surely surprise you.

• Greek Honey: Beyond the traditional thyme honey and pine tree honey, you can also find red, white and black honey, honey mixed with several kinds of nuts, oak tree honey, and many more kinds.
• Pasta and Wheat Products: Greek pasta is not exactly what you would expect, but it makes for a unique gastronomic experience. Try the egg-based hilopites or trahanas, a special kind of pasta that can be sweet or sour and is usually served with milk or yogurt.
• Cretan Products: The cuisine of Crete is quintessentially Greek but it also features elements and ingredients that are hard to come by in mainland Greece like snails, pickled onions and garlic, olive oil rusks, and several varieties of raki.
• Greek Yogurt: It comes in all kinds of tastes, textures and forms, made in almost every region in Greece, using any milk – goat, sheep, or cow.
• Greek sweets and Confectionery: You’ve probably heard of the famous baklavas but that’s not the only Greek dessert worth your attention. Try “loukoumi” (similar to Turkish delights) that are traditionally served with Greek coffee, “pasteli” (bars of sesame and honey), the different flavors and textures of “halvas”, as well as “kourampiedes” and “melomakarona” if you are visiting Athens during Christmas.
• Mastiha-made Products: Mastiha is a kind of resin produced by a tree that grows exclusively on the island of Chios and its taste is extraordinary. Locals use mastiha to make all kinds of products like liquor, chewing gum, drops, and more.

So there you have it. You will come across a complete list of all the local traditional products in Athens.

Whether you’re looking for unique souvenirs or extraordinary tastes or you’re just in the mood for a shopping spree, follow our tips and make sure you tick off all your boxes on your shopping list before packing your suitcase.