It was dedicated to the Goddess Athena, who was the patron goddess of the city. The shops must have a total floor area of up to 250 square metres. If you are in Athens on a Sunday and you like street markets, you are in for a treat. Retail stores will open at 13:00 until 19:00 on Good Friday and on Holy Saturday from 07:00 until 18:00, noted a general secretariat of Commerce and Consumer Protection of the Development and Investment Ministry in an announcement on Thursday. The enactment of shop opening on Sundays (Law 4177/2013) has been a significant development for the retail sector. Or you can always arrange a taxi through your hotel. the lack of prior consultation, which is required by law; the arbitrary and undocumented selection of the regions for pilot implementation of the measure; the creation of conditions of unequal competition between commercial enterprises (to the detriment of SMEs); 75% of merchants were dissatisfied by the measure and by their Sunday turnover; 64% of enterprises found the cost of Sunday trading unaffordable, while 40%50% of shops could not afford to open; 95% of shops do not plan to hire a single person, even a worker paid by the hour, in the immediate future. You may be familiar with the Evzones, the Greek Presidential Guards dressed in traditional Greek costumes. "@type": "Question", You can spend ten minutes or several hours around the Monastiraki Athens flea market. In terms of neighbourhoods, I like Plaka, Thisseio, Monastiraki and Psiri. Only very Find all shops in which you can go shopping outside normal business hours here. You can find more information in my article about thecombined ticket for the ancient sites in Athens. The Dollar General store operates across all the states from 8 am till 9 pm. Shopping hours are a somewhat complicated matter in If you happen to be in Athens on a Sunday, you should definitely find some time to visit. Another popular way to explore Athens is the open-deck bus. Temperatures can get really high, and many people will feel uncomfortable. 8.00 till 2.00 only from Monday to Friday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they are also open from around 6.00 "text": "Most foreign visitors are always surprised with the number of locals sitting at tavernas, cafes and bars in Athens. Greek islands, Address: 206, Syggrou Avenue, Athens, Email: emailProtector.addCloakedMailto("ep_9dacb464", 1);, Phone: +302109567326| New bookings (US): +1 (518) 406-8975| Customer Support (US): +1 (219) 841-6168. 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 Bigger businesses are open from 9.00 to 21.00 on weekdays, and they close somewhere around 18.00 20.00 on Saturdays. Smaller stores typically close around 15.00 16.00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Still, Athens Sunday shopping is absolutely possible. The areas of Monastiraki and Plaka are great for shopping on a Sunday. On Sundays, you are likely to see many Athenians strolling around or jogging. Heres a guide to the best souvenirs you can buy in Greece. "@type": "Answer", They cannot be located in outlet stores, shopping malls or discount villages. 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 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. They will often stay open later in the evening (11.00 Between Monastiraki, Syntagma and Acropolis metro stations, you will find the popular Plaka area. [AMNA] Retail "@type": "Question", the Bavarian state capital, doesnt offer any Sunday openings anymore. ", The Evzones are dressed in elaborate, ceremonial costumes, and there is also a band playing. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111267256', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santorini yet? Unlike numerous European destinations, it is very easy to combine sightseeing with shopping in Athens. Twenty-Four people are listed as missing as fears mount of them not being found. Note that if you are travelling as a small group of 3-4 people, a taxi might cost less than the metro. My best suggestion is to use taxi apps such as Uber, FreeNow and Taxiplon. If you are in Athens on Easter Sunday, you can wander around the city and enjoy the quietness. And now for everyones favourite subject: food! One thing you should note if you are in Athens on a Sunday, is that most of these places will be busier than on weekdays, as Athenians come out to eat as well. Apart from the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, there are a few more archaeological sites you can visit in Athens. 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. The ancient citadel is located up on a hill, overlooking the city. Saturday 8.00 till 2.00 pm. "@type": "Answer", It resulted from the implementation of the legislative framework adopted in 2013 as a memorandum commitment to apply the Competition Assessment Project and the relative Competition Assessment Toolkit provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD). Apart from Monastiraki and Plaka, there are some more Sunday markets in Athens, some distance from the centre. Ermou street is the pedestrianized street running from Syntagma metro station to Monastiraki square and beyond. You can find anything and everything, from rugs and coins to clothes, baskets and kitchenware. The list is in Greek however. The three-car crash on You will see artefacts which were discovered in and around the Acropolis. Department stores are open Monday-Friday: 10 am-9 pm Saturday: 9 am-8 pm or 10 am-9 pm, depending on the store. It might be best to use it on your first day in Athens, as it will help you get your bearings. While this is a great way of spending your Sunday in Athens, there are tons of other things to do. The antique market at Avissinias Square volcanic iceland epic However, the social partners in the retail sector argue that Sunday trading results in turnover being concentrated in a few large enterprises, so that the sector will gradually become controlled by a small number of companies,prices will rise and costs will be passed on to consumers. Go early, as many of the stall holders start leaving around midday. Collectables, embroideries, home dcor, second-hand clothes along with one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture are put on display, looking for the best bargainer. Tourist shops are not requested by law to keep normal shop hours so the opening times vary widely. They will often stay open later in the evening (11.00 pm) and will also open on Sundays. This applies to the tourist seaon only. Arguably the most interesting Sunday market Athens is close to Eleonas metro, on the blue line. And if you want to avoid entrance fees, there are some free museums and galleries in Athensthat you could visit on a Sunday or any other day. Get in touch with our travel specialists and design the trip of your dreams! Get answers to your questions about Santorini, IMPORTANT - Water shortage on Santorini - please read, Santorini for the mobility-challenged tourist, Need input for an itinerary for a full day, Best Area/Hotel for Family Stay with Toddlers, Best thing to do in Santorini in May 18 2023, Please help! The government established the measure, following a suggestion by OECD, as a means to remove market barriers and to promote growth, competitiveness and employment. From up here, you can see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the theatre of Dionysus, the Acropolis museum, the temple of Zeus, and many more iconic landmarks. Hi! Along with the antiques and vintage items, there is a range of other shops in Monastiraki. For example, a book that they read in their childhood or an old record player that looks like the one their parents had, he explains. Any day is a good day to visit the Acropolis, so its not necessarily a Sunday activity. The lesser known National Historical Museum, which presents Greeces most recent history, is free to visit on all Sundays. Museums. If you need a chemist on closing days or at night you can see which one is These markets are a lot more authentic, so if you want a less touristy experience, go for it. On Mondays, nearly museums remain closed, although the most-visited are open all week long. Read on for a few ideas! Still, Athens Sunday shopping is absolutely possible. In a decision (no. }, { I am finding that many of the restaurants are closed - completely closed, probably due to dcovid - and we are going in 15 days. Usually, the smaller and more traditional shops in Athens close at lunch time, from approximately 2:30pm to 5:30pm. For some people, its one of the best reasons to visit Athens. This article should help you decide what clothes to bring to Greece. A Downtown Findlay staple, The Greek Garden, will be closing its doors permanently on Saturday, November 30th, 2019. You would need at least four hours to explore it properly! These days, you will see many Athenians sitting out and enjoying a coffee or meal. Make sure you have good walking shoes on, as our cobbled streets can hurt your feet. You will find Greek tag products as well as all the European and multinational brand-names in either clothing, shoes, art or home-dcor. Why Are Buildings In The Cyclades Painted Blue And White? Dont trust TripAdvisors opening times. For most Athenians, one of the best things to do on Sunday in Athens is to go for a coffee. "@type": "Answer", The mid-season sales started on Monday, November 1, with If you happen to be in Athens on Easter Sunday, most of the above wont apply. ", As a result, there will be even more closures of SMEs and job losses in the sector. Sound familiar? Its marked on Google Maps as ticket office for the Acropolis. "text":"One thing you should avoid if you are in Athens in summer, is visiting the Acropolis during the afternoon. However, you will come across various stores (mini-market, wholesale the supermarkets, main post-offices and telephone offices. Details are limited at this time. Athens is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and one hour ahead of Central European Time. Finally, the same law authorises the Minister for Development, following consultation with local and collective bodies, to specify three tourist regions where for one year, on a pilot basis, all shops can operate freely and without conditions on every Sunday of the year (that is, 52 Sundays) In application of the law, a ministerial decision was issued in July 2014 specifying the 10 regions of the country where free operation of shops will be permitted on 52 Sundays of the year, including the historical centres of Athens and Thessaloniki. Adjusting to the Orthodox Easter holiday, shopping hours for retail stores next week, will change as follows: Greek Palm Sunday (April 17) In this context, six national strikes took place in the commerce sector during 2014 on 19 January, 13 April, 4 May, 20 July, 2 November and 14 December. There are also a few ducks, turtles and other animals, as well as a small zoo. Super markets will open at 09:00 and will close at The issuing of the ministerial decision and the more general attempt to introduce Sunday trading caused a series of reactions from the relevant sectoral organisations of small and medium enterprise (SME) employers theNational Confederation of Hellenic Commerce(ESEE) and the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants(GSEVEE) and employees the Federation of Private Sector Employees (OIYE). It contains thousands of artefacts that have been excavated all around Greece. Thus, shops will be open on Sunday,17 April 2022, and on Sunday and Easter Monday, as usual, they will remain closed. b) it would violate the right to free time, to family and personal life, and to religious rights, which are considered important and must be protected against arbitrary decisions of the government. How many hours to spend in Oia and Fira + itinerary check? Most foreign visitors are always surprised with the number of locals sitting at tavernas, cafes and bars in Athens. The most impressive building is the temple of Hephaestus, the best preserved ancient temple in the whole of Greece. This applies to the tourist seaon only. Day of the Holy Spirit variable dates, usually early June. Wherever you decide to stand, try to be in the first row if possible. Also, bear in mind that the military guards will be cordoning people off at certain times. } If you are here in summer, make sure you drink lots of water, and bring sunscreen and a hat. Did you think it was much different to a weekday? Most offices keep the same times as shops but they are often closed on Saturday. are closed so you may have to drive a bit before you find an open one. 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. The new law Alternatively, you can always use taxis, which you will instantly recognize as they are painted bright yellow. cities. 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. }] Athens Greece couldnt be an exception. 16.04.2022 13:24. You can find used books, vinyls, CDs, DVDs, leather goods, clothes, shoes, military accessories, knives and bicycles. The restaurant will be open Check online before you set off. Many private package stores will hover around the same time, with no stores closing any later than Midnight, and no liquor or package stores are open on Sundays to sudden arbitrary and often incomprehensible changes in the law. "acceptedAnswer": { ON Mykonos, Most stores, landmarks and museums have wide opening hours and the merchants have quite a lot of flexibility to open and close when they wish. There are two entrances to the Acropolis. Apart from the Acropolis, some of my favourite things in Athens include the Changing of the Guards, the National Archaeological Museum, the Varvakios market and walking along the pedestrianized Dionissiou Areopagitou street. The most famous temple is the Parthenon. 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. Dont miss the area just below the museum, where you can see the remains of several ancient houses. The main post-offices are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and This detailed article will hopefully help you appreciate this unique aspect of Greek culture. Other popular museums in Athens include the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine and Christian Museum and the National Gallery. Most foreign visitors are always surprised with the Evzones are dressed in traditional Greek.... 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