Greece is understood for its meals, seashores and historical past, however it is usually an incredible place to buy. Listed below are the perfect souvenirs from Athens that can mark the reminiscence of the capital.
Athens is the capital of Greece, steeped in historical past and identified for the whole lot from Greek mythology to historic civilizations. There may be a lot to see, do and respect for a visitor that you can be spoiled for selection.
As one of many oldest cities on the planet courting again 1000’s of years, Athens has immediately recognizable landmarks such because the Acropolis and the enduring Parthenon. However along with having a few of the world’s most visited vacationer points of interest, Athens is house to wonderful tradition, artwork and meals. From moussaka to baklava, Greek meals is undoubtedly probably the greatest cuisines on the planet.
When you do not consider me, take a look at my must-try Greek meals weblog!
Fortunately, you may take a few of what Athens (and Greek tradition on the whole) has to supply house with you. My listing the perfect souvenirs from Athens covers a wide selection of reward concepts, low cost souvenirs and different uncommon issues to purchase on the town.
12 souvenirs to purchase from Athens
From quirky Greek souvenirs to nice reward concepts, listed below are the perfect issues to purchase in Athens.
1. Komboloi (care beads)
Among the greatest souvenirs from Athens or any trip are these which might be distinctive to the place you visited – and Komboloi are simply that. If you’re not aware of them, they’re strings of beads comprised of completely different supplies comparable to amber, coral, wooden or semi-precious stones. Within the fashionable world, we may all use one thing to assist with stress, and Komboloi are designed to help leisure by slipping them via your fingers and easing your worries.
You’ll usually see males carrying a set and they’re usually given as presents so they might be excellent to reward to the person in your life. They’re mentioned to have originated from monks’ prayer beads, however grew to become secular in additional fashionable occasions. One other factor that makes them probably the greatest souvenirs from Athens is how transportable and simple they’re to pack in a suitcase, plus how straightforward they’re to search out – they are often discovered in lots of outlets and markets all through Athens.
2. Backgammon/Tabli from Athens
One of the vital in style video games in Greece is backgammon or Tabli as it’s identified in Greek. Being so in style, Athens is a good place to purchase a top quality backgammon set as a novel Athens memento.
Going in the hunt for the equipment is probably much more enjoyable than the sport itself, as there are such a lot of stunning locations to go to. Monastiraki flea market; Plaka, a district with numerous craft outlets, or Ermou road which is without doubt one of the hottest locations to buy, can be one other place to select up a equipment.
3. Olives from Athens
As everyone knows, Greek delicacies is scrumptious and eaten all around the world as a result of it’s great. Olives are, in fact, one of many staples of Greek delicacies. So why not deliver actual Greek olives with you to maintain the journey alive once you eat at house.
Enriched with local weather, European solar and reminiscences of a trip in a implausible place, they make a easy, inexpensive and simply packed memento from Athens.
4. Greek ceramics
You should purchase up to date ceramics that pay homage to the previous and even vintage replicas.
Coming house with stunning ceramics to point out your mates or reward to a beloved one can be probably the greatest souvenirs from Athens I may counsel.
5. Sandals
Because of the local weather, it is not stunning that sandals are extremely popular in Athens and might be discovered virtually in all places – in order that they make a really useful reward from Athens to purchase!
They’re extra than simply sensible, folks right here have been carrying leather-based sandals since historic occasions. They’re actually a logo of the area and are subsequently probably the greatest souvenirs from Athens as a result of they protect the historical past of the place.
Greece additionally has a tradition of working with leather-based, so the craftsmen actually know what they’re doing – the standard might be very excessive. Deal with your self!
6. Greek honey
The gastronomic delights of Greece simply carry on coming, and this time there may be one for the gourmets amongst you. Honey, produced within the wonderful Greek local weather and steeped within the nation’s environment and historical past, provides Greek honey a world-wide fame for being unbelievably sensible.
Numerous varieties can be found comparable to thyme, chestnut and pine honey.
Once more, simply transportable and an incredible reward thought that will not take up all of the room in your returning baggage, Greek honey is certainly one of my prime souvenirs from Athens.
7. Ouzo from Athens
I believe that almost all of our style buds have eaten, or a minimum of tasted, Ouzo incessantly. Ouzo is the Greek nationwide drink – a robust alcoholic drink comprised of ripe grapes. Chances are you’ll acknowledge a licorice-like taste, and it is because the anise and fennel seeds are added earlier than redistillation.
Most Brits will drink this as a shot, however it’s best to dilute it with water and revel in it extra slowly (and extra calmly).
Shopping for a bottle of this conventional Greek drink can be probably the greatest souvenirs from Athens to boost these dinners once you get house and regal your mates with tales of your time in Athens!
8. Greek olive oil
Whereas in fact you may eat scrumptious olives from Greece, there may be additionally great olive oil to get pleasure from. Amongst a few of the highest high quality on the planet, additional virgin olive oil is claimed to be the purest selection and has essentially the most taste.
Each salad you eat at house can take you again to your journey to Athens, making it certainly one of my greatest souvenirs from Athens.
Remember, for those who’re not an olive oil fan, olive oil merchandise are additionally out there, comparable to olive oil soaps and natural toiletries – appears like an incredible memento from Athens to me!
9. Talismans for the evil eye
Also called ‘Matiasma’ or ‘Nazar’, these pendants are designed to guard in opposition to detrimental power and are extremely popular in Greek tradition. They’re virtually all the time fabricated from glass and are blue and white with a black dot within the center – this symbolizes the evil eye.
There’s a superstition that envy and malice come from the eyes, or moderately different individuals who have a look at you that manner, and {that a} talisman can shield you from that dangerous look!
These talismans are so widespread that you may receive them in many alternative methods; from earrings, bracelets and automotive ornaments to housewares to brighten your door at house.
With such a captivating historical past and that means behind them, plus the truth that they’re really easy to move house, I might say they have been probably the greatest souvenirs from Athens both for your self or for family and friends.
10. Home wines from Athens
As with olives, the Greek local weather has been excellent for wine manufacturing for over 4,000 years. You’ve got heard tales from historic Greece about how they drank wine, which proves how deeply Greek tradition is steeped in wine manufacturing – and delight!
They produce the whole lot from crimson, rose and white wines of the best high quality to unusual desk wines.
Some well-known native Athenian wines come from the Agiorgitiko grape, pictured above. They’re indigenous to Greece so make a typical however distinctive memento from Athens that you simply will not discover in different international locations.
11. Native arts and crafts from Athens
Athens has a thriving arts and crafts scene. You will discover distinctive and domestically made art work, ceramics and textiles by native artists and artisans, usually reflecting up to date Greek tradition and custom.
Jewellery impressed by historic Greek design can also be out there in Athens. Search for items with motifs comparable to a Greek key sample or historic Greek cash, usually comprised of supplies comparable to silver or gold. The vintage road market in Athens (above) is a good place to hunt!
12. Icon portray
Chances are you’ll pay attention to Japanese Orthodox Christianity which is a part of the Greek cultural heritage. Greece produces some stunning non secular work, generally on wood panels with numerous use of gold leaf, which might make an exquisite reward.
Often depicting saints such because the Virgin Mary, and painted by extremely expert artists, these well-known artistic endeavors are positively among the many greatest souvenirs from Athens as a result of they’re so related to the nation’s traditions and so stunning.
They’re, in fact, a bit of tougher to move again, however Athens additionally abounds in Greek statues of well-known philosophers, figures and icons. It simply may be a bit of bizarre to take it with you on a airplane.
What’s the smartest thing to purchase in Athens?
There may be a lot to select from when deciding on the perfect Athens souvenirs, particularly in case you are a foodie. Chances are you’ll must take an empty suitcase with you for the journey house – all of the completely different Greek wines, olives, oils, honey and sweets may fill a bag on their very own.
When you’re extra of an artwork lover, then non secular artwork, ceramics, talismans or distinctive backgammon boards can be simply the factor for you.
Cheers guys *reaches for Ouzo*!
A fast listing of souvenirs from Athens
- Komboloi (care beads)
- Backgammon/Backgammon
- Olives
- Greek ceramics
- Sandals
- Greek honey
- uzo
- Greek olive oil
- Talismans for the evil eye
- Home wines from Athens
- Native arts and crafts
- Icon artwork
Are issues low cost in Athens?
The costs of issues in Athens can fluctuate tremendously, as in any main metropolis. Though identified for its wealthy historical past and tradition, costs within the metropolis might be fairly affordable, particularly in comparison with different European capitals. Eating out, for instance, might be fairly inexpensive, with loads of tavernas providing scrumptious Greek delicacies at affordable costs. Public transport can also be fairly cost-effective, and there are quite a few historic websites and museums with modest entrance charges.
What’s Athens well-known for?
Athens is greatest identified for its unimaginable historic and cultural heritage. Town has a lot historic Greek structure that you may wander round day by day. Athens can also be identified for its full of life neighborhoods comparable to Plaka and Monastiraki, the place you may wander the charming streets and uncover a mixture of conventional and fashionable Greek life. Town’s culinary scene is one other spotlight, with a variety of conventional tavernas and fashionable eating places providing wonderful Greek delicacies.
What souvenirs can you purchase from Athens airport?
If you’re flying from Athens airport, you will see that varied souvenirs within the departure lounge. Greek olive oil and olives are a preferred selection, as are Ouzo or Metaxa, making wonderful presents. Remember basic souvenirs like key rings, magnets and postcards with iconic scenes from Athens. Airport outlets often provide a curated number of this stuff, making it straightforward to select up last-minute presents or souvenirs