Where to Buy the Best Souvenirs in Greece (Athens, Crete & Popular Islands)

A city-by-city shopping guide to finding authentic, affordable Greek souvenirs without wasting time

Athens

1) Olive Oil & Spices

• Varvakios Central Market – Fresh herbs, spice blends, and boutique olive oils. Best in the morning for selection.

• Olive Tree Store (Plaka) – Specializes in small-batch oils from different Greek regions.

2) Honey

• Melissokomiki Dodecanese (Monastiraki area) – Known for thyme and pine honey from the islands.

3) Ceramics

• Psirri neighborhood workshops – Independent potters selling bowls, mezze plates, and tiles.

4) Tea Towels & Textiles

• Plaka souvenir lanes – Look for shops with hand-embroidered linens, often made by local cooperatives.

5) Komboloi (Worry Beads)

• Komboloi Museum & Shop (Plaka) – Specializes in amber, coral, and resin designs.

Crete

1) Olive Oil

• Olive Oil Museum & Shops (Agia Marina, Chania region) – Offers small tasting bottles perfect for travel.

• Local co-op stores in Heraklion & Chania – Sell award-winning cold-pressed oil.

2) Honey

• Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete (Chania) – Has a gift shop with thyme and wild herb honey from the mountains.

3) Ceramics

• Margarites Village (Rethymno) – Famous for pottery; dozens of small workshops.

4) Briki & Coffee

• Heraklion Market – Great for picking up brikis, coffee, and small kitchen items.

5) Jewelry

• Chania Old Town – Narrow alleys full of small jewelers using silver and local stones.

Santorini

1) Wine & Spirits (Mini Ouzo Bottles)

• Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum Gift Shop – Excellent selection of locally bottled ouzo and dessert wines.

2) Textiles

• Oia boutiques – Stylish scarves and embroidered runners with island patterns.

3) Small Icons

• Local church shops – Hand-painted or printed wooden icons, sometimes blessed.

Rhodes

1) Spices & Tea Towels

• Old Town Market – Affordable tea towels, herb blends, and olive wood kitchenware.

2) Komboloi

• Local jewelry shops often sell unique designs with beads made of semi-precious stones.

Shopping & Packing Tips

• Morning markets: Best selection for food items and handmade goods.

• Negotiate politely: Especially in smaller markets outside the main tourist lanes.

• Ask about origin: For authenticity, ask which region the product comes from.

• Pack strategically: Keep fragile items in the middle of your luggage, liquids in checked baggage only.

Customs check: Before buying honey, olive oil, or alcohol, confirm your home country’s import limits.