You are in Athens, in the district of Syntagma? Looking for souvenirs to bring back home? We give you our favorite addresses for typical Greek specialties to buy around Syntagma square. Whether it’s for your brother, your best friend, your grandmother and whatever your budget… there is something for everyone.
Liqueurs and gourmet souvenirs
- Ergon House: (23 Mitropoleos street): a super concept-store that sells quality products, sweet and savory. From olive oil to tapenades, from loukoums to vacuum-packed cheeses… there is really everything. In addition, some products are presented in nice packaging, it makes nice gifts. It is clearly one of our favorite places to buy gourmet products.
- Mastiha Shop (6 Panepistimiou Street) sells only products made of mastic (mastiha in Greek). Mastic is a resin from the sap of the mastic tree, a shrub found mainly on the island of Chios. The mastic is widely used in Greece in cooking, confectionery, cosmetics, for incense as well as for the manufacture of alcohol. Visit this store for souvenirs with 100% Greek flavors. The mastic liqueur is delicious at the end of a meal, and is a gift that is usually a success.
- Matsouka: (10 Karageorgi Servias street) is an institution in Athens. This store is famous for its dried fruits, chocolates, loukoums, honeys and other sweets. The establishment also offers savory pleasures. Among other things : olives, spices or olive oil in cans (very practical to bring back by plane).
- Cellar: (1 Kriezotou street) is a wine shop where you can buy wines and spirits. Also sold here are the beautiful gift boxes of the brand ROOTS : assortments of Greek liqueurs in modern design bottles ; or box with small bottles of Rakomelo, Mastiha, Tentura, Herb Spirit…
Komboloïs and Greek objects
- Amorgos: (3 Kodrou street) : this astonishing Ali Baba’s cave, a bit old-fashioned, sells trinkets, old toys, ceramics, traditional furniture, costumes and popular objects. An atypical address which will make you travel to the country of the Greek myths and traditions. You will find, among a thousand other curiosities presented in this store, puppets of Karagiozis, important figure of the shadow theater in Greece.
- You want to buy a komboloi ? This object, which looks like a small rosary, is widely used in Greece. It has no religious connotation. Indeed, it is not used to pray but to keep one’s hands busy. So, direction Το Κεχριμπαρι (35 Voulis Street). You will find jewelry and amber objects (the name of the store means ” amber ” in Greek) as well as a large selection of komboloï.
- Tavli, a Greek variant of backgammon, is a popular game in Greece. You can buy nice wooden ones at Ekavi (21 Voulis street). This store also offers other items for players. For example, traditional or mythological chess, puzzles, Greek figurines…
Cosmetics
- Korres (4 Ermou street): this brand of natural Greek cosmetics is also distributed in some organic stores in France. But at significantly higher prices. So take advantage of your stay in Greece to “make savings”. Here you will find quality beauty products of Greek origin. Offer the Greek yogurt beauty box or the Santorini shower gel/body milk duo. Success guaranteed !
Bookstore
- Anavasi: (32 Voulis street) is a small paradise for travelers. In this bookshop specialized in travel, you can find wall maps, books on Athens, mainland Greece or the islands, classic or more specialized tourist guides and hiking guides. A useful address !
For more ideas of souvenirs, see also our article on the good fashion and beauty addresses in Syntagma.
Laure M.
Updated April 10, 2024
