Flea Market — Attraction in Athens

It simply gets the 5 stars because is a place you must check and has lots of great local stores... every major city has one of these or similar. With that said, here are a few pointers for tourists:

Safety matters. Keep your backpacks closed - spit your money - front pockets for wallets - be aware of your surroundings. Be street smart. Keep your mega large phones secured if they don’t fit in your tiny pockets.

Don’t leave kids unattended- this should not require explanation.

Do not take any “free” items from any vendor - they are never free.

Food: I would just stick to quick café, ice creams, small stuff. The restaurants are over priced as is a major tourist area. You can get better quality and price outside this area. Don’t get me wrong, a few are very good, but still pricey.

Shopping: stick to the local made stores. That will be a unique experience. There are a lot of fake stuff here and copycats- don’t waste your time there. FEEL FREE TO BARGAIN PRICES - it’s a flea market.

If you are claustrophobic or don’t like crowds, come early in the morning or come during low season.

Before you take a picture - please see what is around you. Stay safe and be kind to others.

Hope...

I love to spend a few hours here every time I am in central Athens. The shops are diverse and worth popping into.

Spend time discussing the items for sale with the owners and shop staff, you will definately come away with a more complete picture of this unique city. You can pick up so many unique items, culture pieces, statues, items of clothing, handmade sandals, small presents to take back to your loved ones.

The prices are reasonable and most shops allow you to barter. This is a busy place so try and avoid the intensive sunshine and visit either in the morning or later in the day..

There are many restrauants in the area, coffee shops and bars for you to relax, take a break and enjoy the atmosphere.

One of my favorites is the Tarzan bar where I can after the hustle and bustle take some precious time to unwind over a cold beer and enjoy some unique tunes from their selection.

Once is never enough and you will find yourself returning again and again. One thing I will enjoy is visiting in the colder months when the majority of the tourists have left the city and I won't have to hide from the sun's...

The Monastiraki Flea Market is one of my favourite places in Athens, and not just because of what you can buy there. The treasures on offer range from the genuinely traditional — komboloi, bouzoukis, old records — to the utterly absurd, like mobile phone cases with cat faces proudly stamped “Made in China.” It’s this mix that makes the place irresistible.

But what really matters here isn’t the merchandise, it’s the atmosphere. The market is alive with chatter, bargaining, laughter, and the constant ebb and flow of locals and travellers. You’ll catch the smell of souvlaki curling through the air, hear snippets of music from a nearby stall, and if you take a turn into one of the side alleys, you’ll find cafés perfect for sitting with a coffee while watching the whole buzzing theatre play out around you.

It’s less about consumption and more about immersion — though yes, you might walk away with a komboloi, a bouzouki, and, why not, a ridiculous cat phone case. Monastiraki is a must in Athens, because it gives you all of Athens in miniature: history, humour,...