Plaka is one of the best places to go souvenir shopping, though prices are slightly higher than around Monastiraki. WebWith Law 4177/2013, the government introduced the free operation of all shops in Greece, regardless of size, for seven specific Sundays of the year. They are both on Monastiraki square, and offer a great view of the Acropolis. Copyright Greek city times 2023 All Rights Reserved. Most museums in Athens have different opening hours depending on the season and day of the week. may stay open, so do many kiosks, all + 353 1 2043100 Overall, the National Gardens are a great place to escape the heat of the day. Open at 8.00 am and close at 8.00 pm in winter and 9.00 pm from April to end WebThe introduction of shop opening on seven selected Sundays and every Sunday in 10 pilot areas has been a significant development for the retail sector. Temperatures can get really high, and many people will feel uncomfortable. Email. They are guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is in front of the Parliament building, right on Syntagma Square. Saturday they close at 6.00 pm and are closed on Sundays and holidays. } Try to visit first thing in the morning, or after 5 pm. 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. Museums. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. The introduction of shop opening on seven selected Sundays and every Sunday in 10 pilot areas has been a significant development for the retail sector. 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. the window of every pharmacy. The three-car crash on Stone Road sent four individuals to the hospital, first responders confirmed. Here are some morethings to do in Plaka Athens. This is already happening in touristy areas throughout the country, including Plaka and Monastiraki in Athens. TheLabelFinder offers you a neat overview of all the places you will find what youre looking for, even on a Sunday. WebSunday openings as the saving grace of stressed out people. }. Prices are low, generally matching the quality. They usually buy items that have some sort of sentimental value. The Monastiraki flea market is full-on! It might be best to use it on your first day in Athens, as it will help you get your bearings. For most people coming to Athens, the number one activity is a visit to the Acropolis. }, { Monday-Friday: 7:30 am-2 pm; select post offices remain open for longer hours: Syntagma Square: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-8:30 pm, Athens International Airport: Monday-Saturday 7 am-7:30 pm, Sunday and holidays: 8:30 am-5:30 pm, 100 Aiolou Street: Monday-Friday 7:30 am--2:45 pm, 60 Mitropoleos Street: Monday-Friday 7:30 pm-8:30 pm. In addition, the Athens Sunday markets are worth exploring. For most Athenians, one of the best things to do on Sunday in Athens is to go for a coffee. Most foreign visitors are always surprised with the number of locals sitting at tavernas, cafes and bars in Athens. is probably to take a taxi to the nearest one. If you happen to be in Athens on a Sunday, you should definitely find some time to visit. ", few are open after 10.00 pm. Popular areas to sit for a coffee are Plaka, Psiri, Areopagitou Street and the rooftop bars around the centre. Arachova is only a short trip fromDelphi, so you could easily visit the ancient site on Easter Monday. When in Athens, you can visit a museum or two. However, entry to the Acropolis is free on the first Sunday of the off-season months (November March). Easter Sunday is the holiest day here in Greece, so sites and tourist attractions will be closed. With all the pedestrianized streets and hidden alleyways, its a wonderful place to explore on foot. Follow me on FB and Instagram for more news about Greece! "name": "What is there to do in Athens on a Sunday? }, { Department stores are open Monday-Friday: 10 am-9 pm Saturday: 9 am-8 pm or 10 am-9 pm, depending on the store. The new law 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. While walking around Athens is very rewarding, it might not be suitable for everyone. Munich. ", Selected pharmacies in each area stay open after hours. Two of my favourite places to sit for a coffee are A for Athens and 360 rooftop bar / hotel. Details are limited at this time. "text": "Generally speaking, the only establishments that you might notice being closed in Athens are high street stores. Stores in thecentre of Athens will have the option of opening every Sunday, according to a decision published in the Government Gazette. }] This in turn created friction and disagreements between the institutionally recognised sectoral (as well as national) employer organisations of ESEE and GSEVEE on the one hand, and SEV and SETE on the other. Heres a guide to the best souvenirs you can buy in Greece. The decision was taken after consultations with theCentral Athens regional unit officials and the Athens Chamber of Commerce. Go early, as many of the stall holders start leaving around midday. If you need a chemist on closing days or at night you can see which one is I am finding that many of the restaurants are closed - completely closed, probably due to dcovid - and we are going in 15 days. On Sundays and holidays some are open and some Why Are Buildings In The Cyclades Painted Blue And White? The employees federation (OIYE) announced a series of rolling strikes of shop workers against both the seven Sundays in the Law and the Sundays of the pilot all-the-year round opening. This is where my parents used to take me when I was a child, and you can still see many families around. Many people, locals and visitors, come to watch this short ceremony. After the end of the parade, you can follow the Evzones back to their barracks. GSEE accused the government of ignoring the common position of the overwhelming majority of those involved in the retail sector as represented byESEE, GSEVEE andOIYE which have appealed to the Council of State against the ministerial decision that essentially abolished Sunday closing, while lodging a memorandum with the Council of State. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Police are currently investigating a car crash that occurred early Sunday evening in the Town of Greece. These are located towards the back side of the National Gardens. I think our favourite activity is socializing! As an example, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guards on Syntagma Square, or visit the extended Sunday markets around Monastiraki area." Also, check my guide to thebest museums in Plaka Athens. They are closed on Saturdays. The restaurant will be open The prices will vary so as to satisfy everyones wallet. 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Generally open throughout the day until evening Monday to Saturday. Large international clothing brands and smaller stores on the citys main arteries open Monday to Friday from 9am till 9pm. Most people would start with the Acropolis Museum, which is located very close to the Acropolis. A very special day to go to the Panathenaic Stadium is the day of the Athens Classic Marathon Race, which always falls on the second Sunday in November. Two more days, 1 May and 28 October, are regulated by law as optional but Just be prepared for some queuing, especially if the weather is good, as many locals will also want to go. You can stroll on Areopagitou street andtake in the monuments from a distance. Best honeymoon accommodation - Santorini - please help!. I find this entrance more convenient, and there seem to be fewer queues. In Bavaria, Sunday openings are somewhat of a hot topic - the state with a largely Catholic population takes "holy Sunday" quite serious and so per year, it only allows for up to four Sunday openings maximum that all have to be in connection to specific events (christmas markets, fun fairs, city festivals). Clean Monday (Ash Monday) variable dates; 40 days before Easter, marking the start of Lent. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they are also open from around 6.00 The antique market at Avissinias Square volcanic iceland epic Its best to go early and take your time, especially if you are after specific items. In addition, there will always be a kiosk at walking distance from your hotel. There, the Sunday openings always have mottos or themes and are accompanied by special events throughout the city. All sorts of souvenirs are also available. Twenty-Four people are listed as missing as fears mount of them not being found. 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). This massive stadium, dating from the 4thcentury BC, was completely restored in the 19thcentury. "@type": "Answer", The mid-season sales started on Monday, November 1, with Still, Athens Sunday shopping is absolutely possible. 6. The market expands on lower Ermou and Ifestou streets, as well as on most side streets and alleys around them. The ancient citadel is located up on a hill, overlooking the city. It noted that the introduction of general Sunday trading violates the principles of equal competition, destroys small businesses, and reduces free time for family and a personal life. A question I often get from visitors is are shops open in Athens on Sunday? The quick answer is that some of them are, but most of them arent. Everything else, including museums, ancient sites, cafes, restaurants and bars, are always open. Adjusting to the Orthodox Easter holiday, shopping hours for retail stores next week, will change as follows: Greek Palm Sunday (April 17) Always closed on Sundays and holidays. If budget is an issue, this is a great time to visit. Retail stores and supermarket stores in Greece opened 11:00-18:00 on Orthodox Palm Sunday (Vaion) for consumers, as part of the scheduling for the coming Easter holidays, ANA reports. Cradle of western civilization, the history of Athens is eventful and fascinating. These markets are a lot more authentic, so if you want a less touristy experience, go for it. Things To Know About Greece Before You Go, How To Speak Greek The Greek Alphabet And 20 Useful Greek Words. Greek cats Beautiful, independent, happy, unique! As you are walking around the Ancient Agora, you will see many ancient ruins. I went to a museum 2 weeks ago that TripAdvisor had listed as closed. Temperatures can get really high, and many people will feel uncomfortable. Visitors who like to walk will love Athens. Athens is on Eastern European time. Suggested opening hours for those dates are from 11:00 to 18:00. This will help you understand the ancient civilization and life during those times. In addition, the Athens Sunday markets are worth exploring." However, if you need some groceries, dont worry. However, if you want to experience a traditional Greek Easter, you could take a day trip to Arachova. 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Athens is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and one hour ahead of Central European Time. 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 They come every Sunday from 6am, searching through piles of things for hours. Dont trust TripAdvisors opening times. If you are visiting Athens, there are some things that you can only do on Sundays! Pharmacies keep normal shop hours Monday to Friday. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-111267256', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santorini yet? 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. Make sure you have good walking shoes on, as our cobbled streets can hurt your feet. Ive included several restaurant suggestions in my article on how to spend two days in Athens. As of November 2021, shop owners with businesses in the historic center of Athens will have the option to remain open on Sundays, according to a Greek government decision. On Saturdays, the shops close at 6pm. traditional Greek dishes should help. The most famous temple is the Parthenon. Regarding the opening hours on Sundays, shops are allowed to be open from 11:00 to 20:00, while the employment of workers is paid in accordance with the provisions of the labor law, which define additional remuneration for work on Sundays. 307) issued on 15 September 2014, it placed a temporary ban on the pilot operation of shops on 52 Sundays of the year in the 10 chosen regions of the country until the final hearing of the case by the plenary session of the Court on 7 November 2014. The Evzones are dressed in elaborate, ceremonial costumes, and there is also a band playing. It contains thousands of artefacts that have been excavated all around Greece. The National Archaeological Museum is another popular choice. 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. The lesser known National Historical Museum, which presents Greeces most recent history, is free to visit on all Sundays. Car rental and transportation in Santorini. Their main arguments were: They put forward evidence from specific studies and surveys disputing a study from the OECD cited by the government. Some visitors are specifically interested in Ermou street Athens stores. He asked the two organisations to withdraw their legal interventions in favour of the measure, which ESEE believes is a matter that concerns only the retail sector. "text": "Most foreign visitors are always surprised with the number of locals sitting at tavernas, cafes and bars in Athens. Whether you like antique-shopping or not, you will love the Monastiraki flea market which is at its biggest every Sunday in Avyssinias Square. "@type": "Answer", They also emphasise that this decision is a violation of equal competition to the detriment of small enterprises and at the same time essentially destroys local markets, transferring turnover and consumption to selected regions and selected shops. This is with the aim of avoiding congestion and to tie in with the introduction of staggered working Shopping hours are a somewhat complicated matter in { The difference in frequency stems from the fact that the Sunday openings are scheduled on state and not federal level. What are the best shops in Corfu? Interesting? "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I not miss in Athens? I dont know where youre seeing that many restaurants are closed. 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. This in turn caused a serious interest conflict with employers associations representing the big retail and tourism sectors in Greece. Other temples include the Erectheion, dedicated to God Poseidon, and the Temple of Athena Nike. You may be familiar with the Evzones, the Greek Presidential Guards dressed in traditional Greek costumes. Also, follow these other tips to make sure that you dont get a heatstroke. Are there any special opening hours, like Sunday openings, in Thessaloniki today? As an example, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guards on Syntagma Square, or visit the extended Sunday markets around Monastiraki area. While many shops and other businesses are closed on Sundays, visitors will find plenty to do. After 5 pm most people coming to Athens, there will always be a kiosk at walking from! Put forward evidence from specific studies and surveys disputing a study from the 4thcentury BC was! 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Are Buildings in the monuments from a distance here in Greece, so sites and tourist attractions will be.. On Saturdays on all Sundays restaurant suggestions in my article on How to Speak Greek the Greek Alphabet and Useful... The hospital, first responders confirmed overview of all the places you will be! 360 rooftop bar / hotel as it will help you understand the ancient citadel is located up on Sunday. People would start with the Evzones are dressed in traditional Greek Easter, marking the of.