All shops Athens is on Eastern European time. "@type": "Answer", Saturday they close at 6.00 pm and are closed on Sundays and The shops must have a total floor area of up to 250 square metres. Greek Palm Sunday (April 17) shops will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Holy Monday (April 18) through Holy Thursday (April 21): 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Good Friday (April 22): 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holy Saturday (April 23): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Easter Sunday (April 24) and Easter Monday (April 25) all shops in Greece will be closed. It might be best to use it on your first day in Athens, as it will help you get your bearings. Usually, the smaller and more traditional shops in Athens close at lunch time, from approximately 2:30pm to 5:30pm. There are over 80 museums in Athens, so you can choose the ones you are more interested in. Sadly, even these days, I occasionally read reports by foreign visitors who were scammed by taxi drivers. I find this entrance more convenient, and there seem to be fewer queues. [AMNA] Retail few are open after 10.00 pm. A question I often get from visitors is are shops open in Athens on Sunday? The quick answer is that some of them are, but most of them arent. Shopping in Athens: A Shopaholic's Guide (Updated for 2023) WebSunday openings as the saving grace of stressed out people. Nevertheless, the Sunday opening scheme provoked strong reactions not only from the employees in the commerce sector, but also from small and medium commercial companies. "@type": "Answer", On Milos and Syros the shops will be open on Sundays from April 1 to October 31. The Dollar General store operates across all the states from 8 am till 9 pm. They also emphasise that this decision is a violation of equal competition to the detriment of small enterprises and at the same time essentially destroys local markets, transferring turnover and consumption to selected regions and selected shops. These are certain Sundays around Easter, Christmas, New Years Eve and the first Sunday of each sales season. Those not interested in shopping can still enjoy the lovely streets, beautiful neoclassical buildings and cosy tavernas. the window of every pharmacy. Bigger businesses are open from 9.00 to 21.00 on weekdays, and they close somewhere around 18.00 20.00 on Saturdays. These cozy restaurants are all located in central Athens, at walking distance from the sites and markets. }, { While walking around Athens is very rewarding, it might not be suitable for everyone. pm to 9.00 pm. Twenty-Four people are listed as missing as fears mount of them not being found. The Changing of the Guards happens every hour, on the hour, on a daily basis. Official website of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Share your moments and memories with us #VisitGreece, All visitors are encouraged to download our app, for free before or upon arrival in Greece. How many hours to spend in Oia and Fira + itinerary check? Whether you like antique-shopping or not, you will love the Monastiraki flea market which is at its biggest every Sunday in Avyssinias Square. Lets see a few things you can do if you are in Athens on a Sunday. Athens is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and one hour ahead of Central European Time. Some visitors are specifically interested in Ermou street Athens stores. With Law 4177/2013, the government introduced the free operation of all shops in Greece, regardless of size, for seven specific Sundays of the year. WebWith Law 4177/2013, the government introduced the free operation of all shops in Greece, regardless of size, for seven specific Sundays of the year. Greece as they vary according to the type of business. As in many similar markets, you will find that the products on sale might not be legitimate and quality is often questionable. Why Are Buildings In The Cyclades Painted Blue And White? Ive been on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? holidays. It contains thousands of artefacts that have been excavated all around Greece. The prices will vary so as to satisfy everyones wallet. Visitors who like to walk will love Athens. Shops open around 9.00 am and close around 1.30 or 2.00 pm Monday to Saturday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they are also open from around 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Always closed on Sundays and holidays. Most offices keep the same times as shops but they are often closed on Saturday. 8.00 till 2.00 only from Monday to Friday. For most Athenians, one of the best things to do on Sunday in Athens is to go for a coffee. Prices are low, generally matching the quality. As an example, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guards on Syntagma Square, or visit the extended Sunday markets around Monastiraki area. Make sure you have good walking shoes on, as our cobbled streets can hurt your feet. Greek cats Beautiful, independent, happy, unique! The protests were supported by Labour Centres, unions of shop workers, consumers, local trading associations and so on. Best honeymoon accommodation - Santorini - please help!. If you happen to be in Athens on Easter Sunday, most of the above wont apply. The President of ESEE, Vassilios Korkidis,pointed out to SEV and SETE that it is inconceivable for them to oppose the other two social partners (ESEE andGSEVEE) without first having consulted them. The usual opening hours for stores in the centers of the large cities are continuous (9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.), for suburban stores the working hours are split shifts three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) and morning shifts for the other three days (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). This small village up on Parnassos mountain celebrates Easter inthe traditional Greek way. Overall, the National Gardens are a great place to escape the heat of the day. Always closed on Sundays and holidays. The ancient citadel is located up on a hill, overlooking the city. Most offices keep the same times as shops but they are often closed on Saturday. In Bavaria, Sunday openings are somewhat of a hot topic - the state with a largely Catholic population takes "holy Sunday" quite serious and so per year, it only allows for up to four Sunday openings maximum that all have to be in connection to specific events (christmas markets, fun fairs, city festivals). Allow enough time for the fantastic museum. }, { The new law goes into force in November 2021. On Tinos, Naxos and Andros from March 21 until October 31. Copyright Greekcitytimes 2022 All Rights Reserved. As an example, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guards on Syntagma Square, or visit the extended Sunday markets around Monastiraki area." Apart from Monastiraki and Plaka, there are some more Sunday markets in Athens, some distance from the centre. Open at 8.00 am and close at 8.00 pm in winter and 9.00 pm from April to end Did you think it was much different to a weekday? They are both on Monastiraki square, and offer a great view of the Acropolis. list below covers the main areas but bear in mind that this is subject Tourist shops Unlike numerous European destinations, it is very easy to combine sightseeing with shopping in Athens. Email. The social partners in the retail sector note in their appeal that: the ministerial decision uses development of tourism as a pretext, whereas in reality it serves the interests of large retail chains and foreign multinational companies that will use Sunday trading to eliminate small and medium-sized retailers, which make up 95% of enterprises and employ more than 80% of workers. Generally, they open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30am to 3pm. Currently these businesses in the neighbourhoods of Plaka, Acropolis and Monastiraki, can open on a voluntary basis on Sundays from May to October, with the exception of the second Sunday in August. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. }] This in turn created friction and disagreements between the institutionally recognised sectoral (as well as national) employer organisations of ESEE and GSEVEE on the one hand, and SEV and SETE on the other. "name": "What should I avoid in Athens? Apart from stores, you will also see random stalls and street vendors. 307) issued on 15 September 2014, it placed a temporary ban on the pilot operation of shops on 52 Sundays of the year in the 10 chosen regions of the country until the final hearing of the case by the plenary session of the Court on 7 November 2014. "name": "What is there to do in Athens on a Sunday? They usually buy items that have some sort of sentimental value. Super markets will open at 09:00 and will close at 19:00 on Good Friday and on Holy Saturday they will be open from 07:00 until 19:00, ANA reports. This Athens street market is the best place in central Athens to get your fix on antiques, traditional cutlery and crockery and random bric-a-brac. "acceptedAnswer": { Arguably the most interesting Sunday market Athens is close to Eleonas metro, on the blue line. "@type": "Question", They point out that the decision is further destroying labour relations and that employees are being forced into uncontrolled and extreme flexibility, with cheap, poorly paid work and/or undeclared employment. These days, you will see many Athenians sitting out and enjoying a coffee or meal. On Saturdays, the shops close at 6pm. https://www.thisisathens.org/useful-tips/holidays-opening-hours Athens commercial shops opening hours are as follows: Thursday 14.04.2022 09.00 21.00 Friday 15.04.2022 09.00 21.00 Saturday 04/16/2022 09.00 18.00 Sunday 17.04.2022 11.00 18.00 Great Monday While many shops and other businesses are closed on Sundays, visitors will find plenty to do. Try to visit first thing in the morning, or after 5 pm. "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", If you are in Athens on a Sunday and you like street markets, you are in for a treat. Some street vendors might set up their stalls as early as 5 am. In addition, you will come across the spectacular Byzantine church of Agioi Apostoloi, which dates from the 10th century AD. "@type": "Answer", Its marked on Google Maps as ticket office for the Acropolis. In addition, there will always be a kiosk at walking distance from your hotel. In an attempt to ease Covid-19 fatigue, retail stores selling holiday goods will be the first to open in Greece, on Monday, despite the extension of lockdown measures Treasure Hunting. Generally the hours between 2.00pm and 5.30pm are dedicated to lunch and Many people, locals and visitors, come to watch this short ceremony. Get in touch with our travel specialists and design the trip of your dreams! Also, wear loose, comfortable clothes. Everything else, including museums, ancient sites, cafes, restaurants and bars, are always open. August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary, October 28 Oxi Day (National Holiday), December 25 & 26 - Christmas & Boxing Day. Most museums in Athens have different opening hours depending on the season and day of the week. This list of Greek bank holidays will come in handy while planning your trip to Athens, so you know if there are any observances or holidays during your stay. WebA pilot scheme allowing shops to open every Sunday in 10 Greek regions, including the historical centres of Athens and Thessaloniki, was announced in 2014 by the Deputy Minister for Development and Competitiveness. Generally, the stores close by 9 pm because the staff needs time to clean and stock the They are guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is in front of the Parliament building, right on Syntagma Square. The most famous temple is the Parthenon. Also, have a look at this article about shopping in Athens. How To Order Food In Greece A Locals Guide, Food in Greece Everything you should know about Greek Food, Greek Drinks To Try During Your Vacation In Greece, combined ticket for the ancient sites in Athens, Museums In Plaka Athens: Historical Museums Near The Acropolis, Greece Coronavirus Update: Measures against COVID-19, Athens Santorini Mykonos: 7 Days In Greece Itinerary, Athens 3 Day Itinerary For First Time Visitors, Athens Combo Ticket For Acropolis And Other Sites, Greek Websites For Expats And Digital Nomads. Regarding the opening hours on Sundays, shops are allowed to be open from 11:00 to 20:00, while the employment of workers is paid in accordance with the provisions of the labor law, which define additional remuneration for work on Sundays. connect with us Greece's latest tourism industry news by Greek Travel Pages(gtp) One of the Acropolis in shopping can still enjoy the lovely streets beautiful!, restaurants and bars, are always open can choose the ones you more! 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