Also known as the Flea Market, the flea market is a nice combination of touristy and local.
Originally, it was a flea market where Greeks could buy all kinds of food, products and utensils for daily use. However, over time and due to the large number of foreign visitors to the Hellenic capital, many stores began to adapt to their new customers.
In my opinion, although the flea market is one of the main tourist attractions in Athens, this place has NOT lost its essence. At the Flea Market we can find from the typical souvenirs such as postcards, magnets and key chains; to other much more peculiar gadgets such as tetradrachms (currency used in Ancient Greece), Spartan helmets and laurel wreaths (like the one worn by the god Apollo).
Even if you are not a shopaholic, I would still recommend a stroll through the Flea Market, just to experience the life of a typical Greek market and immerse yourself in the local culture.
On the other hand, in case you do like to get the best souvenirs, typical of the place you are traveling to, I leave you this article in which we talk about shopping in Athens. Recommended reading before visiting the flea market.
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Flea Market opening hours
This market in Monastiraki is open every day of the week, Saturday and Sunday included.
As for the closing and opening hours, this is really variable… Each store or stall of the flea market closes at a different time, always depending on the time of the year and the flow of people in the streets.
In high season, taking into account that many tourists stay for dinner in the Plaka neighborhood, the Flea Market stays open until late, even after 12 pm.
After all, we are talking about a kind of flea market (even if it is composed of different closed establishments), and also Greek, so we can’t expect it to have fixed hours. This is part of its magic!
Location of the flea market
The flea market stretches along a large part of the Plaka neighborhood, having Monastiraki square as its center.
Nearby places of interest:
- Hadrian’s library (50 m)
- Metropolitan Cathedral (400 m)
- Ancient Agora (200 m)
- Roman Agora (100 m)
Clarification:
The Flea Market, located in Plaka and Monastiraki, is NOT the same as the Eleonas flea market, which is organized next to the metro station that bears its name, only on Sundays.
At the Eleonas flea market you will not find any kind of souvenirs or similar, since it is not at all focused on tourists. Rather, here they sell clothes and all kinds of useful things for the house, always second hand. I also consider this a very interesting visit, if you want to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and your stay in Athens coincides with a Sunday.
Note that this Greek market is only open in the morning.