Apartments in Athens Center

Ermou Street has long been the most fashionable shopping street in the capital, very long and starting very smartly in the heart of town leading directly off Constitution Square (Syntagma) opposite the Parliament building, and ending shabbily but fascinating somewhere out near the Ceramics Museum. Halfway along Ermou the small and wonderfully preserved Byzantine church of Kapnikareas stands, in its own tiny square. This is one of the best preserved Byzantine structures in the capital and dates from the 11th century. Ermou now enjoys the status of precinct and the fashion conscious flock there to buy or browse, shoes and jewellery, fashions and materials, all mingling together in what is now a quiet street where one may amble across from one side or another, only the occasional minibus (very convenient and cheap) to break the flow.

The first area you will normally be recommended to shop in is Ermou street , the pedestrian street that runs off Syntagma at McDonald's. Yes there are some good shops here for clothes, but veer off into the side streets for cloth and varied items and also try Monastiraki. If you like big shops or to buy brands, head a for the Town Hall (Kotzia square). The Notos Galleries department store will reward you with good views from its roof top cafe. If you will be going to Pireas and are looking for lower priced items, you'll probably do better there. Opening hours are: 8.30-13.30 & 17.30-20.30 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Monday and Wednesday 8.30-14.00. Saturday 8.30-14.30 (or 15.00), Sundays closed. Some department stores are open everyday from 8.30 to 20.30 without a break. Tourist and other shops in tourist areas may be open for more hours and on Sundays. Currency converter & Euro guide