What to Buy in Greece: 21 Souvenirs and Gifts

Updated: 9 November, 2024

These are the best things to buy in Greece and Athens, from jewelry and footwear to delectable Greek cuisine and local specialties.

Greece is a captivating country that captures your heart, offering a diverse range of local products perfect for bringing home or gifting to loved ones.

In this guide, I'll highlight the best souvenirs and gifts, based on my experience living in Greece currently.

I also provide recommendations on where to shop, marked on the map at the end of this article. Most of the best shopping can be found in Athens, offering competitive prices and a wide selection of goods.

Souvenir Ideas in Greece and Athens

1. Handmade Leather Sandals

Handcrafted leather sandals are an ideal Greek souvenir that complements any summer attire perfectly.

These sandals are crafted from leather with rubber soles, ensuring durability. While the most common style is flat and light brown, the natural color of leather, they come in various designs and colors.

The best part? They're very budget-friendly (starting at about 15 euros / 16 USD per pair) and available on nearly every shopping street in Athens and across the islands.

I recommend visiting Monastiraki, particularly the shops lining Pandrossou Street. This entire area is a prime shopping destination in Greece, especially favored by travelers.

If you are interested in witnessing sandal craftsmanship in Athens, there's a workshop near the Agora called Sandal Workshop by Argi V. I marked it on the map. You can even purchase their beautifully crafted designs. 😍

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2. Leather Goods

Another excellent choice for shopping in Greece is leather goods such as belts, bags, backpacks, and jackets.

The shopping streets around Monastiraki, especially Pandrossou Street as mentioned earlier, are ideal spots for purchasing leather items.

Additionally, Ifestou Street hosts several shops, including those within the Monastiraki Flea Market, where you can find both new and second-hand leather products.

3. Greek Dresses

Traditional Greek dresses are stunning and flatter anyone because they highlight feminine silhouettes.

There are various designs, some featuring a single strap or a V-neck, with white being the most common color, though they are available in other colors too.

What I particularly adore about these dresses is their use of lightweight fabrics, typically cotton.

If you're traveling during the summer, finding a Greek dress won't be difficult as they are sold everywhere, including the bustling shopping streets of Athens I mentioned earlier and throughout the Greek islands.

4. Gold Jewelry

Greece has a strong tradition of exquisite gold jewelry, ranging from earrings and bracelets to pendants adorned with gemstones.

For jewelry shopping in Athens, head to Adrianou Street in the area I highlighted on the map. You'll encounter numerous jewelry stores every few steps.

However, for the finest gold jewelry in Athens, Dimos is unparalleled. While many jewelers have incorporated mass-produced items into their collections, Dimos maintains a master jeweler on staff.

If you happen to be in the area and feel like exploring, their storefront showcases some truly exceptional pieces, similar to the one depicted in the photo below.

5. Greek Accessories

Greek jewelry offers a wide range of options to suit every taste.

In my view, some of the most enchanting accessories are the classic Greek-style pieces, reminiscent of those worn by ancient goddesses, such as headbands, pendants, bracelets, and cuffs.

These accessories are available in both gold, as previously mentioned, and silver, which is also extensively used throughout the country, along with bijouterie.

To shop for these accessories, you'll find numerous stores around the Monastiraki Flea Market and across the islands.

If you're in search of something antique, explore the second-hand stalls in the same area of the Flea Market, particularly on Sundays, along the streets perpendicular to Ifestou Street and at Abyssinia Square.

6. Evil Eye Amulet

The Evil Eye amulet, known as Nazar, is one of Greece's most popular souvenirs, perfect as a gift either for decoration or as a keychain.

This eye-catching amulet is typically crafted from deep blue glass with a painted eye and is available in every shopping street and souvenir store across the country.

7. Komboloi

The komboloi is one of the most intriguing things in Greece. It consists of a string of beads that you'll often see men fiddling with in their hands.

Although this tradition has faded over the years, you can still spot men using them.

While it may resemble a religious item due to its similarity to a rosary, it's simply a soothing pastime to calm the mind.

You can find komboloi in numerous Greek souvenir shops, crafted from beads of various materials.

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8. Rugs

Greeks boast a rich tradition of rug-making dating back to ancient times, mentioned by Homer in his works the Iliad and the Odyssey.

These rugs were traditionally handcrafted in the mountains, serving to keep warm during winter. Today, they are predominantly crafted in the Peloponnese and Crete, where specialized shops offer them for sale.

If not, I highly recommend my favorite rug shop in Athens, The Loom. This store is fantastic, featuring rugs of all sizes, designs, and materials.

Moreover, the staff is exceptionally friendly, so don't hesitate to ask to take a look around.

9. Antiques

If you love shopping for unique, old items at great prices, Athens is the perfect place to hunt for antique treasures.

In the Monastiraki Flea Market, you'll find several shops open daily. Sundays are the most lively, with a vibrant atmosphere full of small shops and cafes, making it a favorite spot for Athenians.

Another area with interesting second-hand shops is the square right in front of the Central Market. This square has food stalls and a few antique shops on both sides, but not as many as in Monastiraki.

10. Olive Oil

Greece produces one of the best olive oils in the world, specifically Cretan olive oil.

If you’re passionate about olive oil, including Crete in your itinerary is a great idea. In the Cretan city of Rethymno, you can even enjoy this olive oil tasting at an olive grove with 2,000 years of history.

Excellent extra virgin olive oils are also produced in many places like the Peloponnese and other islands. During any rural visit, you’ll see olive trees everywhere. 😍

Olive oil is one of the best gifts you can buy in Greece. You can find it in specialized shops and even at the airport, usually in attractive bottles or cans.

👍 Fun fact: Olives were brought to Greece by the Persians in the 16th century BC. Today, there are about 600 different varieties grown in Greece. You might enjoy reading about 32 Surprising Facts About Greece, which also covers other products mentioned in this article.

11. Olives

If you love olives, don’t miss out on trying the vast variety available in Greece.

The best place to buy them in Athens is at the Central Market and some stalls at the market in front of it, as well as at local weekly markets in Athens and other parts of Greece.

Many places even have them pre-packed in vacuum-sealed bags, making it easy to bring them home.

12. Olive Wood Products

In Greece, olive trees are used for all sorts of things, including their beautifully patterned wood.

Artisans craft a wide range of products from olive wood, such as kitchen accessories, decorations, musical instruments, board games, knife handles, watches, sunglasses frames, and almost anything else you can think of made from wood.

During your trip to Greece, you’ll find specialized shops with handmade olive wood products on almost every shopping street.

In Athens, there are a couple of great stores to check out. One is Olive House, the most famous with thousands of products. The other is Olive Tree Store, which has fewer items but offers a well-curated selection and a more personalized experience.

13. Natural Cosmetics

Natural cosmetics made with Greek olive oil are amazing and I highly recommend giving them a try. They also make great gifts.

Olive oil is an excellent moisturizer and healer, which is why it's used in hair and skin products to combat wrinkles, scars, and stretch marks.

Other products I really like are soaps and lip balms with olive oil, as they are much more natural than commercial brands.

You can buy these products at any specialized store on shopping streets and malls, as well as in some supermarkets and at the airport.

14. Feta Cheese

The famous feta cheese is a national pride with a Protected Designation of Origin. It's known for its softness, crumbly texture, and unique flavor that you must try.

The secret lies in its production using goat's or sheep's milk and curing in brine.

This cheese is used in many Greek dishes, such as horiatiki, the Greek salad served with a huge block of feta, and tiropita, a pastry filled with this cheese. So, if you visit Greece, you'll definitely get to taste it.

Since this cheese is so popular, you can buy it at any supermarket or at the airport before you leave. In Athens, the best place to buy it is the Central Market, but be sure to ask if they can vacuum-pack it for you.

👍 Friend's tip: Before buying a lot of feta cheese to take home, check your country's regulations, as many countries prohibit the import of animal products. Also, be aware of customs limitations if you plan to bring other foods.

15. Honey

Greek honey is among the best in the world with a unique flavor that's different from traditional honey and definitely worth trying.

I’m not usually a big fan of honey, but I love Greek honey for its smoky, balsamic, and woody notes, as it’s made from the sap and resin of pines, firs, and oaks.

Some of the best Greek honey comes from Arcadia in the Peloponnese, Crete, and the island of Ikaria. However, there are many other places in Greece that produce excellent honey.

The best places to buy honey are markets or specialized stores.

16. Pistachios

Pistachios were brought to Greece from Syria in the late 19th century. The Mediterranean climate suited them perfectly, and today, Greece produces some of the best pistachios in the world, with the most famous ones coming from the island of Aegina.

These pistachios from Aegina are rare and have a delicious flavor. They are also the main livelihood for most people on the island, who make various products from this nut.

If you visit Aegina, you can buy pistachio cream, pistachio praline, sweets like baklava and ice cream, liqueurs, and other delicacies.

In Athens, I recommend buying pistachios at the Central Market, where you'll find several stalls specializing in nuts.

If you are a pistachios lover, the “Pistachio Festival” is held in Aegina during the last week of September, where you can taste the island's culinary delights with pistachios as the star. 😋

17. Spices

Spices are among my favorite traditional Greek souvenirs because they are lightweight, affordable, and the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys cooking.

The two most famous Greek spices are bay leaves and oregano. Other commonly used spices in Greek cuisine include thyme, fennel, nutmeg, rosemary, and dill.

While you can purchase spices at any supermarket, markets often offer larger bags at better prices. The Central Market of Athens, for instance, where you will find several specialized stalls.

They also offer bags containing a several spices, ideal for a culinary souvenir.

👍 My two cents: If you're carrying ground spices, pack them in your carry-on luggage. Powdered substances often raise suspicion at airports. If you check them in your luggage, it might be inspected. Keeping them in your carry-on ensures any inspection happens in your presence, which I find preferable.

18. Mastic

Mastic is one of the most fascinating products you can purchase in Greece. It's a resin extracted from a Mediterranean tree, renowned for its sweet, resinous flavor.

In ancient times, the Romans used mastic for dental hygiene and breath freshening, while later, the Ottomans employed it as a spice. Today, it's used to flavor sweets, chewing gum and liqueurs.

The highest quality mastic in Greece is from the island of Chios, where cultivation and production methods are designated as a Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

You can find a variety of mastic-flavored products at any store specializing in Greek products.

They also offer "mastic tears" or "mastic drops" like the ones pictured above, available in small bags or cans, perfect for grinding and adding to your drinks and food.

19. Baklavas

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll absolutely adore baklava—a traditional dessert made from layers of phyllo pastry, nuts, and soaked in syrup or honey water.

This dessert is enjoyed across several countries including Iran, Turkey, Greece, and various Balkan countries.

In a bakery specializing in baklava, they explained that the traditional Greek baklava recipe includes walnuts and syrup, which sets it apart from other recipes. However, in Greece, you'll also find baklava made with various types of nuts.

There are numerous shops and pastry shops that offer baklava. In Athens, Veneti 1948 bakery is my personal favorite.

They offer a wide variety of baklava for take-out or dine-in. It's also a restaurant where you can enjoy other typical Greek pastries.

20. Loukoumi

If you've been to Turkey, you might be familiar with loukoumi, also known as lokum or Turkish delight.

According to the Turks, it's a sweet treat created by a confectioner to please the sultan at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. However, historians debate this, suggesting its existence centuries earlier in Persia and Arabia.

Later, during the Ottoman Empire, it spread throughout the region, including Greece, where it's immensely popular, especially paired with coffee in the Macedonia region.

In case you haven't tried it, I warn you, they are super sweet and delicious, a real addiction. 😋

If you haven't tried it, beware—they're incredibly sweet and delightful, a true indulgence. 😋 It's a type of natural gummy with a pleasing jelly-like texture made from rose water and dusted with powdered sugar. In Greece, they also flavor them with ingredients like bergamot or mastic.

You can find loukoumi at any store that specializes in Greek products, or even at supermarkets, packaged in boxes that make them the perfect gift.

21. Ouzo

Ouzo is Greece's national alcoholic beverage, a sweet liquor infused with flavors of anise, fennel, and mastic.

Traditionally served as an aperitif, ouzo also complements dishes well, particularly seafood, fish, and pickles.

To enjoy it like the Greeks, add ice and optionally dilute it with water, transforming its color from clear to milky white.

Ouzo is incredibly popular and can be found everywhere—from supermarkets to specialty shops and even at the airport.

One place I recommend is Bar Brettos in Athens, Greece's oldest ouzo distillery, where you can taste various types of ouzo, wines, and even traditional oils. They also have a shop where you can purchase a bottle to take home.

👍 Friend's tip: Bar Brettos is a beautiful establishment worth visiting. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, they offer 4 or 5 alcohol-free cocktails—I tried the passion fruit and ginger one, and it was delightful. 🍸

Shopping Map in Athens

Final Thoughts

These are the best things to buy in Greece with options for all tastes and budgets.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Happy shopping! 😘

More about Greece

• How to Get to Athens from the Airport + Map
• 10 Best Day Tours from Athens
• 6 Best Gastronomic Experiences in Athens
• Best all-inclusive trips to Greece: 4, 5, 8 and 10 days
• Internet in Europe: Expensive, Affordable, or Unlimited