| Shopping in the centre of Athens | |
| Shopping in Athens is different from shopping in most other European countries, and by being different, it is both more interesting, amusing, and sometimes frustrating. Most Greek people, and especially the young speak fluent English so you shouldn't have too much trouble in making yourself understood if you don't speak Greek. Otherwise, consider it an opportunity to try out those new phrases in the phrase book. |  |
| A stylish shop selling ornaments for the home | |
Forms ofPayment
- The currency is the Euro, pronounced Evro in Greek.
- Automated cash machines are plentiful in Athens so that it's easy to withdraw cash using your usual bank debit or credit card as long as it is a member of Link or similar system.
- Credit cards are accepted in supermarkets, larger shops, restaurants and petrol stations.
Differenttypes of shops
Onedifference about shopping in Athens is the variety and originality of some ofthe shops in Athens. There is so much style in both the products and theirdisplay. Art galleries flourish - some owned by resident artists, othersselling the original paintings of others. There are exquisite shops sellingornaments, candles, china, silver, lighting and glassware.
Zacharoplastiosor confectionery shops offer biscuit and cake concoctions, marzipan fruits andcandies to tempt the sweet-toothed Athenian. And there are plenty of them. Then there are the nut and 'nibble' shops where nuts of all types, and cocktailsnacks are sold by the kilo, wine shops where you can taste the wine in barrelsand take it home by the litre in plastic bottles.
Largesuperstores haven't quite taken over the marketplace as they have in many otherEuropean countries, so that small specialised shops abound. Guests attending weddingsare given sugared almond filled bon-bonnieres as they leave the church. Nowhere else on earth will you find a wedding shop with an entire range of bon-bonnieresin all shades from white to cream, trimmed with lace and without. Old-fashioned ironmongers with boxes of nuts and bolts sold individually,chandelier restorers where it's possible to purchase a single crystal droplet.These shops are all quite fascinating and delightful.
Fashionand clothing in Athens
YoungAthenians like fashion and style. Female attire tends to be fairlysexy. There is a multitude of fashion shops of all kinds covering thewhole price spectrum. Unfortunately furriers appear to flourish althoughit is somewhat incongruous that Athenians with their warm climate feel the needfor fur. We just had to take a photograph of this outrageous outfittrimmed with silver balls (or was it bells) and handbag to match in a boutique in up-marketKolonaki.
Jewelleryshops are also found in profusion. It might just be the location for you to find