Trade in the Greek way. Do you want to touch Greek culture, feel the spirit of Greece and Athens, buy souvenirs for your relatives and hustle among Greeks? Go to the authentic market "Varvakion" between Omonia and Monastiraki squares, where all the locals and tourists go shopping.
Greece is a real paradise even for the sophisticated tourist. The mild climate, delicious food, rich history and mysterious culture, ancient architecture, beautiful sculptures and incredible atmosphere of this country can give the gourmet tourist many happy moments.
Athens, the capital of Greece, is the perfect place to start discovering Greece. Athens is the place where the European tourist can feel comfortable and safe. A bright, charming, at the same time unusual and modern city, a paradise for lovers of exoticism and shopaholic tourists. To feel its spirit, you must not only visit famous landmarks, museums and temples, but also the oldest market places: the Monastiraki flea market and the Varvakios Agora, Athens' central market.
The central market in Athens is not called the Agora for nothing. The Greek ancient agora was the center of social, cultural and business life. It was the place where Greeks gathered for festive events and daily affairs. It was also the location of the outdoor shopping malls. Today the Varvakion Market is a covered building with many stalls selling food and non-food items. It is the oldest, largest, liveliest, noisiest, most colorful and inexpensive Greek market. Its name is said to be a tribute to the famous Greek of Russian origin, a pirate and nobleman, Ioannis Varvakis.
The central market is also home to inexpensive eateries where locals, merchants and fishermen eat. All dishes here are prepared in season with fresh and natural products. A popular local dish is "patsas" soup made of ox-veal stomachs or other entrails, offal, garlic and vinegar. You haven't eaten patsas? Unforgivable omission!
If Greece has everything, the Varvakios Agora Market is where "everything" abounds. Lively mountains of goods line the counters of the central market. Loud-voiced vendors call out to customers in the local and broken English. Here locals and tourists can visit:
Buy:
To visit the central market, choose the early morning hours, when there is not yet much heat and large crowds of people. Clothing should be comfortable and spacious, and shoes should be stable. On Saturday the market is especially crowded and noisy. Do not forget: Greeks always yield to those who know the art of bargaining perfectly.
Location: 42 Atinas Street, Athens.
You can get to the central market by metro or bus. The market is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 6 pm.
