Athinas Street the Central Market Street for Everything Edible
Athinas is a main street in downtown Athens, named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and protector of the city of Athens. It takes in the municipal Varvakeios Central Market, a rectangular building with a large covered court, including the Central Meat Market and theFish Market. There are a total of 73 food stalls in both the interior and exterior sections. The market is covered with a glass and metal roof and has symmetrical windows. It is open every day but Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon. Several restaurant owners, but also retailers come here every day to shop rather than going to the Wholesale Market of Renti which is at a distance from the center of Athens. Many Athenians shop here for both freshness, variety of selection and considerably lower prices than in the local neighborhood stores. The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business since 1886.
This area, including Evripidou and Sophocleous streets is where you can buy fish and meat, but also produce, fresh vegetables and fruit from all over Greece, or sample cheese from the Greek islands. On Evripidou street you may also find the delicacy called “pastourma”, a variation of pastrami. It is dehydrated goat, beef, lamb or, and the best, camel meat, covered with a cumin paste called tsemeni, prepared with distinctive herbs, garlic, and hot paprika which gives it its distinctive taste. There are two shops renowned for their cold cuts, namely Miran and Arapian.
On 33 Athinas Street, make sure to visit Koudounia, an amazing store offering all kinds of traditional hand-made bells for animals such as goats, sheep. horses and rams, as well as church bells, bell collars, traditional Greek wooden walking sticks and canes, handles, and sticks of wood such as chestnut, linden and olive tree, as well as spares such as brass or stainless steel hand grips. at affordable prices. Visit them at koudounia.com
Also on Evripidou Street among the several stores, are the cheese shops Bitsika,Arcadia and Zafolias, known for their expansive selection of the finest local cheese varieties from all over the country. Evripidou Street is also famous for herbs and spices, seasonings, nuts and dried fruit! We strongly recommend that you visit both Bahar and Elixir! You will encounter wonderful stuff you never even knew they existed! Along Athinas Street the shopper may also buy teas of all sorts, a pair of shoes or sunglasses from a street vendor, a pair of jeans or a Panama-style hat, work clothes or excursion gear, tools for all trades, gadgets, novelties and all sort of merchandise from the numerous stores and street vendors willing to sell anything but their mother! Public buildings include the Athens City Hall on Kotzia Square while several modern and neoclassical office and shopping buildings can be found in the area.
Dozens of stores with tools for all trades and clothing for all purposes. On 32, Athinas St. check out the Spyros Syllas store with utensils of all sorts carved in wood.
Dine & Wine
Eperos, cult oinomageireio
Stoa Athanaton a true landmark
Stou Meidani seafood restaurant
In the area around the Central Market you will also find small restaurants with fresh -from the market- food, attracting Athenians especially after midnight.
Coffee | Pastry | Snacks
Try the traditional Greek koulouri from a street vendor. There is a small grove on the Varvakeios Square across the street which is now landscaped, with several cafes, and offers an opportunity to take a break from the frenzy of the market.
