An absolutely dreamy holiday destination, Santorini in Greece is a tourist’s paradise owing to its magnificent natural beauty and many shopping spots. There are many open markets, upscale boutiques, department stores and souvenir stores across the island. You can buy a wide variety of things here, including clothes, bags, jewellery, footwear, artwork, ceramics, vintage items, and local produce. Many overlook the sea and are open at nighttime, offering marvellous views of the island all lit up!
Here is the list of 15 places to visit for shopping in Santorini:
1. Fira Center
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Santorini’s capital, Fira, is a shopper’s paradise since it is home to many shops and boutiques, especially on the cliff, selling all kinds of goods. It is especially popular for Gold Street, which has over 40 jewelers whose items are made of precious and semiprecious stones, lava rocks, gold, silver, etc. There are many luxury boutiques that sell high-end clothing items, footwear, leather bags and other accessories, and vendors selling souvenirs like evil-eye items, magnets, bottle openers, postcards etc. Fira also has several stores selling unique art pieces, ceramics, home decor, books, wine, cosmetics etc. You can always take a break from shopping and enjoy a nice meal while enjoying the island’s stunning views.
2. Nomikos Street
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Nomikos Street in Oia is a wonderful place for a stroll and shopping. This scenic street is lined with several boutiques, stores, and souvenir shops selling various items. Some of the most commonly sold items here include clothes, jewelry, footwear, bags, handmade artworks, antiques, home decor, and so much more. While some of these things may be expensive, especially those that are sold at independent boutiques, a lot of it is affordable and perfect as souvenirs. You can also take a break from shopping and pop into one of its picturesque restaurants overlooking the sea for a bite to eat.
Address: Nomikos Street, Oía 847 02, Greece
3. Hondos Center
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One of the most popular department stores in Santorini, the Hondos Center, is situated on a picturesque cobblestone street in Fira. It has many stores selling clothes, footwear, bags, toys, personal hygiene products, beachwear, etc. Some of the brands you would see here are Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, Birkenstock, Triumph, etc. You would also find several designer cosmetic brands here, such as Clinique, Christian Dior, Lancôme, and Estée Lauder, and there are beauty experts on site who help you choose the right products for you.
Address: 25is Martiou, Thira 847 00, Greece Timings: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Saturday), Sunday closed
4. Iama
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Iama in Santorini is a popular wine shop dating back to the 1980s and the perfect shop to visit if you’re a wine enthusiast. It sells a variety of local and international wines and other kinds of liquor, making it an ideal place to find souvenirs for wine lovers, too! They also have an online store that makes the shopping experience much easier. Iama is also popular for organizing wine tastings every week during the summer months, where you get an opportunity to taste eight different wines. You can even book a private wine tasting.
Address: Mitropoleos, Thira 847 00, Greece
5. Atlantis Books
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Atlantis Books, situated in Oia, was established at a time when Santorini had no bookstore and has become one of the most well-known bookstores in the world. A must-visit shop for every book lover, it is known for housing new and used books in areas such as poetry, classic literature, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, philosophy, art and more. You would find books in several languages here, including English, Greek, French, Spanish, German, Chinese etc. Furthermore, the store sells many collector’s first editions and rare antiquarian books that are undoubtedly a bookworm’s delight!
Address: Nomikos Street, Oía 847 02, Greece Timings: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
6. Thiras Art Gallery
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The Thiras Art Gallery is situated close to Santorini’s old harbour and is renowned for unique art pieces like handmade paintings and jewellery that are created by its owners. Here you would find Byzantine icons on mortar, replicas of popular wall paintings of the Akrotiri excavation a twist, landscapes of the island on plaster and much more. You can also visit the atelier on-site to watch the artists do their magic!
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The only commercial centre on the island, the Fabrica Shopping Center in Santorini, is a mill turned into a mall that houses a bunch of well-known brands. It is a three-storeyed mall overlooking the volcano and features stores like Fila, Ilias LALAoUNIS, Mati Art Gallery, Adidas and Kalpiso. You can buy various items here like clothes, shoes, accessories, jewellery, artwork, makeup and skincare products, souvenirs and more. Moreover, there are a few eateries like the Espresso Cafe and Ampelos where you can grab a bite to eat while shopping.
Address: Caldera Street, Ipapantis 2, Thira 847 00, Greece Timings: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
8. Ilias LALAoUNIS
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A popular jewellery store situated within the Fabrica Shopping Center in Santorini, Ilias LALAoUNIS is synonymous with high-quality gold and silver jewellery. Their designs and production techniques date back almost 4,000 years and feature a touch of modernity. Many of their pieces have been inspired by Mycenaean art and the Neolithic, Byzantine and pre-classical ages. You can find rings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, pendants, earrings and decorative items like vases, photo frames, plates etc. here. And around Christmas time, they are known for selling charms for the New Year that are said to bring prosperity.
Address: Caldera Street, Ipapantis 2, Thira 847 00, Greece Timings: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Monday closed
9. Kalimera ia
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Kalimera is a must-visit art gallery in Santorini that is renowned for its unique artwork on wooden objects. Inspired by the island’s beauty, the gallery has on display a bunch of art on wooden doors, sunblinds, windows, lauders etc., most of which come from old houses. Kalimera'’s interiors also feature a lot of wooden furniture that gives the space vintage and cosy vibes. You can go to the shop to pick out art or order off their website. Moreover, you can also attend a workshop here if you’re keen on observing the artists at work.
Address: Oia, Thira 847 02, Greece
10. Epilekton
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Epilekton is one of the most popular spots for shopping in Santorini, especially if you’re a fan of vintage items. Open in 1920, this store is often referred to as “Alibaba’s Cave” since it is known for selling a wide variety of unique collectables and folk art from around the world. You would find objects like paintings, nautical instruments, doorknobs, ceramics, religious items, vintage maps, comic books, and more. Epilekton is also an excellent shop to visit if you’re looking to buy special and often eccentric souvenirs for friends and family.
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La Bohème Santorini is a well-known shopping spot on the island synonymous with modern and traditional items. Suppose you want to take a piece of Greece home for yourself and your loved ones. In that case, it sells various bohemian products like lamps, wall hangings, mugs and other decorative items alongside handmade jewellery, bags and accessories. Most of these items are sold at cheap prices too!
Address: Marinatou, Thira 847 00, Greece
12. Secret Room
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The Secret Room in Kamari is a must-visit store if you’re in the mood for clothes shopping. This quaint shop is known for selling casual and bohemian clothing like sarongs and beach coverups along with accessories like hats, bags and jewellery. Many of its clothes belong to the popular Greek brand called Philos. You would find dream catchers, key chains, wind chimes, photo frames, wall hangings and other home decor items here. All their products are available at reasonable prices and make for excellent souvenirs.
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It goes without saying that your trip to Santorini must include a visit to at least one of its supermarkets or farmers’ markets. The Kofini Santorini Fruit & Vegetable Market is a well-known produce market for selling various fresh fruits and vegetables, including figs, bananas, apples, pumpkins, tomatoes, grapes and much more. Furthermore, the market is a great place to visit if you wish to experience life like a local, given that taking the items home with you would be difficult. Make sure to bargain here!
Address: Pyrgos Kallistis 847 01, Greece Timings: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Saturday), Sunday closed
14. Cavana
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Established in 1974, Canava is the first distillery to have opened in Santorini and is famous for producing high-quality spirits using only local materials and traditional techniques. Some of its signature spirits that you can get include Ouzo and Tsikoudia Santino, along with prickly pear, cherry, banana, rose liquor, amongst other flavours. You can also visit the distillery to observe the manufacturing procedure or tour their museum, which features the homes and workplaces of bygone Santorini.
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Speira in Santorini’s Oia neighbourhood is a unique “concept store” that boasts exquisite aesthetics owing to its interiors combining Cycladic traditions and modernity. They are renowned for selling products designed by Hellenic designers or brands such as trendy clothing items and accessories. You would also find many Greek products here, like olive oil, honey, chutneys, soaps, etc., which are handmade.
Address: Nik. Nomikou, 84702 Oía, Santorini, Kikladhes, Greece Timings: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Santorini has just what you need if you’re looking to make the shift to natural and organic cosmetic products. Donkey milk and olive oil cosmetics, along with those made using volcanic water and rock extracts, are excellent options. You can also buy a sea sponge made in the Kalymnos island for your bath.
One of the most popular souvenirs in Santorini is those with an evil eye. Known for warding off harmful energy, the evil eye can be found on blue glass talismans, necklaces, bracelets, rings etc.
There are many artists in Santorini who create unique artwork inspired by the region’s natural beauty, especially the Aegean Sea, such as wall hanging, portraits, ceramics, sculptures etc.
Clothing
You would find numerous boutiques across the island selling locally made light-coloured clothes as well as hats, leather bags and sandals, swimwear and more.
Greece is known for having been the homeland of many renowned philosophers and writers, so it goes without saying that you must visit a bookshop here; you can find classic literature, Greek philosophy, Greek poetry etc. books.
Santorini has no shortage of diverse shopping spots where you can find affordable luxury goods of all kinds. Whether you’re looking to buy souvenirs for yourself or your loved ones, the island’s numerous boutiques, stores and shopping centres offer you plenty to choose from.
