Shopping in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is a great place to shop and you can find a large array of shopping to suit various tastes and budgets if you just walk around the city. High fashion, local boutiques, discount outlets and markets and a great range of home stores are just some of the great shopping you can find in Thessaloniki.
Main Shopping Streets in Thessaloniki Centre
The best place to find the majority of shopping is in the central city. Down Via Egnatia, Agias Sofias and Tsimiski are where you’ll find most of the chain stores and fashion stores you’ll need for major brands. Sephora, Bershka, Zara, H&M, Marks and Spencer and more are found down these streets, dotted with some more high-fashion boutiques such as Max Mara. There are also some larger department stores found here, which host a great range of brands. You may even find some bargain finds on big brands here so it’s worth a look. You’ll also find some nice stores on Agias Sofias St, recently converted into a pedestrian area where you can browse the numerous fashionable stores. You’ll find also NYX Makeup, Toy Stores, some local, cheaper fashion boutiques and shoe stores as well as French Connection and some delicious bakeries and coffee shops should you need a break from the shopping.
Head further down either end of Egnatia and you’ll find some cheaper fashion stores, bakeries, shoe stores, and bookshops as well as cheaper homeware stores like Tiger and Vikos. The street is usually busy, especially in peak times, but it is a great place to walk down and browse the stores. There’s so much to see down here that you could easily take hours. Westward down Egnatia will see you end up in Aristotle Square, where there is often live music and a hustle and bustle of people shopping, eating, and drinking. The square is lined with some souvenir shops, small takeaway coffee and food outlets, and a couple of fashion stores. The major department store here is the Hondos Centre, which has multiple levels for homeware, fashion, beauty, and more, and often has some great deals available on good brands. Further down Egnatia, you’ll find some nice hotels and bars for a great view out over the waterfront from the top of the square.
Koromila Street
Proxenou Koromila is a short street located just up from the promenade and hosts more pricey haute couture brands (Burberry, etc), and just up from here, on Mitropoleos Avenue, are some smaller boutiques and patisseries, and elegant coffee shops for those who wish to shop for some more expensive gifts or treats for themselves.
Mediterranean Cosmos Centre
Outside of the city, you can head to the Mediterranean Cosmos Centre, located on the way to the airport. There are a number of well-known fashion outlets and food courts here, as well as a large cinema. This is a great place to go to visit electronics, fashion, and more, and the surroundings are filled with delicious restaurants and bars to keep you occupied well into the evening.
There are a couple of great outlet malls, too. The One Salonica Outlet Mall, located just on the outskirts of the western end of the city, houses awesome brands (Adidas, Lacoste, Puma, and more) at reduced prices. A similar mall, the Mega Outlet, is located on the eastern side of the city, towards the airport.
Local Markets
There are some great markets where you can pick up an awesome deal in the city. Food, trinkets, handmade items, crafts, and more are available in these markets. The largest one inevitably stumbled upon during a walk around the city center is the Mondiano Market. This huge flea market houses fresh bakery goods, meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and more on one side and on the other, clothes, gifts, shoes, leather items, and crafts.
Modiano Market
The most famous and traditional market in Thessaloniki is Modiano. This market has been a gathering place for Thessalonians for over 80 years and is located right in the very heart of the city. Walking through Modiano will instantly transport you back to the early 1900s, where the hustle and bustle of the local market was a part of daily life. The market was designed and constructed in 1922 by Eli Modiano. Eli was the son of a much-loved banker in Thessaloniki and studied architecture in Paris. Upon returning to his hometown, he began constructing some of the city’s most famous and beautiful buildings, including Modiano Market. Today, most of the shops and stalls inside Modiano Market are food stores that sell fish, meat, exotic spices, cheeses, delicatessen items, and fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also find a few taverns, cafes, and restaurants, where you can sample some of the locally grown food.
Kapani Market
Just a few steps away from the beautiful Aristotelous Plaza, across the street from the famous Modiano Market, you’ll find the city’s oldest open market, Kapani. This vibrant market has been around for centuries and looks slightly out of place with its modern surroundings. However, Kapani Market is still very much loved by the locals who tend to buy their weekly shopping there. Much like its neighbour Modiano, Kapani Market also sells meat, fresh vegetables, fish, and dairy products, but you can also find many household items and cleaning supplies. Take a walk down the narrow alleyways, and experience the noisy, fast-paced buzz of a truly traditional Thessalonian market.
Bit Bazaar
A little to the east of the Roman Forum is the magical Bit Bazaar. This is the market to visit if you are interested in vintage items or antique shops. Founded in 1928, Bit Bazaar was the place to find second-hand wares, barter to your heart’s content, and even make some very profitable trades. Today, many of the old stores have been transformed into cute little taverns and bars. However, many of the second-hand and antique stores remain open, and they are the absolute best place to find a bargain.
The northern Greek city of Thessaloniki has long been a stop on the tourist route for those who value culture and delicious cuisine, and that’s best experienced in the city’s markets. Whether it’s traditional trading posts or squares overloaded with vendors selling all kinds of bits and bobs, more and more people are coming to Thessaloniki for shopping, as the market scene here is unlike anywhere else in Greece.
If you want to go shopping in Thessaloniki, Greece, these are the must-visit markets everyone should visit.
A Complete List of the Best Markets in Thessaloniki
Kapani Market
First up, we have the oldest of Thessaloniki’s markets, the vibrant Kapani Market in the downtown area near Aristotelous Square. Dating back to the 15th century, Kapani has long been a hub for traders and customers to come together and exchange goods, and its popularity appears to be growing with time.
Sometimes described as one of the few flea markets in Thessaloniki, as you enter Kapani Market, you’ll immediately notice that no product is off-limits here, from stalls selling the catch of the day straight from the Thermaic Gulf to corner stores offering signature confections like Loukoumi. You may find it crowded here, particularly on a Saturday, especially if you’ve just come from Thessaloniki Airport to the city, so come prepared and watch your belongings, just in case there are pickpockets about.
Address: Vlali, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece
Agora Modiano
With a well-established presence in Thessaloniki’s street food market scene, Agora Modiano, situated in the historic center, has been serving foodies for around 100 years. It’s a location where age-old culinary traditions and contemporary practices are blended to deliver the finest dishes from the Greek and international cuisines. All while maintaining the age-old charm of the building.
In total, there are 75 booths at Agora Modiano, with a clearly defined floor plan splitting them up into different sections based on the food they sell. Although Agora Modiano may appear to be more geared towards people in Thessaloniki for luxury shopping, many of the products here are well-priced, including some gourmet offerings!
Address: Ερμού 24 και, Vasileos Irakleiou 33, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece
Athonos Square
Some of the best shopping in Thessaloniki can be found at Athonos Square, which is conveniently accessible from Kastritsiou Street. After landing, you can take a Thessaloniki Airport taxi to this location. Despite the fact that it’s smaller than most of the other picks on this list, visitors will be treated to a diverse mix of establishments, including tavernas that serve delicious gyros, merchants selling spices and teas, and much more.
Athonos Square is a traditional market in every sense. Here, you’ll encounter residents doing their weekly shop while farmers from the outskirts of the city show up to lay out their fresh batch of produce. Be sure to keep an eye out for some kondosofli, a flavorful meat skewer that all culinary enthusiasts should try, which has long been associated with Athonos Square.
Address: Kastritsiou 7, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece
Bedesten of Thessaloniki
If you happen to pass by the Hamza Bey Mosque, don’t forget to check out the Bedesten of Thessaloniki shopping mall. This Ottoman-style commercial hub was constructed when Sultan Mehmed II was in power and continues to hold much of its charm, with distinctive features such as its domed roof still visible.
While it’s viewed more as a historical attraction, there’s also a little bazaar inside with a slew of dealers selling meats, fish, and even some souvenirs at a cheap price. Additionally, you’ll come across a handful of cute cafes in case you need a pick-me-up during your time in Thessaloniki outlet shopping.
Address: Dionisiou Solomou 20, Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece
Xirokrini Market
Anyone who wants to veer away from the markets where mainly tourists venture and experience a real local shopping street in Thessaloniki should plan their visit around the Xirokrini Market. Every Saturday morning, starting from Agion Panton Street, dozens of sellers set up shop for a day of trading. Think clothing, cheeses, and fruits, you name it, they’ve got it.
At Xirokrini Market, you’ll need patience, as things can be chaotic. Long waits are regular at popular stalls, but it’s worth it just to watch the spectacle unfold.
Address: Leof. Kallitheas, Thessaloniki 546 29, Greece
Get Ready to Visit Thessaloniki for Shopping at These Markets!
Sure, you could wander through a shopping mall in Thessaloniki, but wouldn’t you rather explore the markets? This is what visiting Thessaloniki for shopping is all about: haggling with vendors, free feta samples, and the aromas of freshly cooked street food on every corner. These marketplaces are not to be missed!
Frequently asked questions
What is the famous street in Thessaloniki? 
Although Thessaloniki has many famous streets, the most well-known would be Tsimiski Street, which attracts many shoppers for its abundance of retail shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars.
What is the main street for shopping in Thessaloniki?
There are many of Thessaloniki’s shopping streets that are hugely popular, but Tsimiski Street is the most well-known due to its central location, ease of access, and diverse selection of stores.
Where is the Kapani market?
Kapani Market is located in the center of Thessaloniki on Vlali Street, close to Aristotelous Square.
What is the best time to visit Kapani?
Kapani Market has a buzzing atmosphere regardless of when you visit, but try to come early in the morning, as many stalls close in the afternoon.
What to do on Sundays in Thessaloniki?
Since many markets and shopping malls in Thessaloniki close on Sunday, retail options tend to be limited on this day. However, there are some exceptions, like Agora Modiano, which opens in the morning.
