The Monastiraki Flea Market, Athens Greece

How to get to the Monastiraki Flea Market

The Monastiraki Flea Market is located on Athinas street in the neighborhood of Monastiraki. You can get there by taking the metro towards the central station (towards the end of the line). When you get off, follow Athinas street to the end and you’ll see the entrance to the market on your right. Just keep in mind that since the metro doesn’t run 24 hours a day, you’ll need to take a taxi if you visit the market late at night. Another easy way to get there is by taking the metro towards the Syntagma Square and get off at the Monastiraki stop. From there, you can walk a short distance to the flea market on Athinas street. The Monastiraki Flea Market is open on most days of the week but it’s best to check the calendar to see when it’s open.

What to expect at the Monastiraki Flea Market

The Monastiraki Flea Market is a typical flea market where you’ll find a mishmash of different vendors selling everything from old books to vintage clothes. The market itself is a large open space with stalls of all shapes and sizes. The vibe inside the flea market is very relaxed and you’ll find plenty of tourists and locals mingling together. As you walk around the market, you’ll notice that some vendors are offering serious deals while others are asking ridiculously high prices for their goods. The prices of goods at the Monastiraki Flea Market aren’t fixed so you’ll want to negotiate with the vendors to get the best deals. Vendors at flea markets typically start their asking price way too high so you need to make sure you negotiate for a fair price before you make your purchase. Be sure to have change with you so you can make smaller purchases. Vendors usually don’t accept large bills.

Good to know before you go

The Monastiraki Flea Market is open on most days of the week but it’s best to check the calendar to see when it’s open. Most vendors at the flea market sell antique and vintage goods so it’s best to keep your expectations realistic. While you’ll come across some real treasures, there are also a lot of low-quality items. You’ll likely find better deals at the flea market on weekends or during the week if you visit in the middle of the day. If you visit the flea market on a Saturday or a Sunday, you’ll notice that it’s much more crowded than during the rest of the week.

Tips for shopping at the Monastiraki Flea Market

Start your visit at the Monastiraki Flea Market by having a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Most of the vendors at the market have some sort of food on the menu so you can grab a bite while you shop. The best advice we can give you when visiting the flea market is not to be too picky. If you’re looking for a specific item, walk around the market a few times before you start buying anything. Keep an eye out for vendors selling damaged merchandise. These are usually the items that are sold at lower prices and are perfect for souvenir hunting. Be prepared to haggle. Vendors at flea markets love to haggle so don’t be surprised if they start dropping their prices. If you’re not picky or you’re visiting the flea market with younger kids, you can always buy souvenir items that are priced low. Kids love to come back home with a bag full of cheap toys and trinkets from their vacation.

Where to find great deals in Athens

The Monastiraki Flea Market is the best place to find great deals in Athens. Most of the items for sale at the flea market are antique or vintage and usually cost a fraction of their original price. You’ll find even better deals if you visit the market on a weekend when most tourists are away or during the week when there are fewer people shopping at the market. If you want to find other places in Athens to buy great deals, you can always check out the designated Tourism Markets or the Co-operatives where you can find lower-priced souvenirs and other goods.

Final words

The Monastiraki Flea Market has been a popular tourist attraction in Athens for decades. While it’s not what it used to be, the flea market still offers plenty of good old-fashioned deals for tourists looking for a bargain on their vacation. If you’re visiting Athens and you love shopping for antiques and vintage clothes, be sure to visit the flea market at least once. You never know what treasures you’ll find and you can always stock up on cheap souvenirs for your family and friends back home.