Before I went to Sophia the first time, I had no desire to put up any shelves in my apartment. But when I saw the number of shelf-worthy things in this beautiful little store, my mind was immediately and irrevocably changed. All of a sudden, I needed busts of Venus and Apollo in vibrant colours. I wanted to run out and buy a stack of books so I could place them between the two halves of a horse’s head (they also have bookends in other styles). Besides mini statues in a variety of hues and sizes (making them easier to transport back home), there are plush cushions and Greek-themed dinner plates, mugs and totes. If you have enough suitcase space, you can also haul back halogen lights in the shape of lips or arrows.

While you’re wandering through Plaka, don’t forget to pass by Forget Me Not. It’s a refreshing break from most of the cookie-cutter souvenir stores in the area. It’s chock-full of unusual gift items and handmade objects that you won’t find anywhere else, like Aeolis natural cosmetics made with organic olive oil and wooden spice containers that sit on their sides. They also stock Ancient Greek Sandals; if you head downstairs you’ll find a whole room full of Greek fashion designers. 

On your way to Medley, you’ll pass many of Koukaki’s “louder” souvenir shops, where Greek statue replicas and laminated Acropolis postcards rule the storefronts. But as you approach classy Medley, the volume turns right down. Here, on the ground floor of one of the area’s many neoclassical buildings, and right across the Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum, is where three dear friends decided to showcase their love for handmade crafts. Textile artist Marga Michalopoulou, painter Katerina Moraitou-Markianou and ceramist Anthia Destouni sell their own refined creations, as well as those of other Greek or Greek-influenced artisans, with a clear bias for fair trade thinking. “We’re more like a gallery when it comes to our relationships with our artists,” says Marga. Ceramic lovers will find themselves in a pickle choosing from the many well-crafted pieces that range from vases to cups, pots, bowls or pendants (we adored Mirka Drapaniotou’s collection). Be sure to check out Alexandros Maganiotis’ alphabet prints and ask for the story behind Antonis Hadjiioannou’s stamp collection. Thinking bigger? Dimitris Roussetos’ impressive wooden sculptures are calling your name. 

It’s hard not to love everything in the Benaki Museum. If you find a piece you really can’t live without, it may be possible to take a replica home from the museum’s shop. Located right in the main building on Koumpari Street, you’ll find a series of clay female figurines, doves replicated in both silver and gold, and the head of Athena—missing nose and all. For an even more comprehensive shopping experience, spend some time at the Ghika Gallery just down the street. It stocks pieces from both museums, including lots of beautiful art books and wooden trays in abstract patterns. The gallery itself is only open Friday through Sunday, but the gift shop is open all week. And if you still haven’t had enough of the Benaki Museum offerings, you can take a look at the shop at Pireos 138. Here, you’ll find gorgeous crafts and a great selection of art books and kids toys and games.

This concept store is small, but it has got plenty to check out. Run by a collective of five local artists and designers, it carries beautiful neutral ceramics, jewellery, and cork, leather and canvas bags. But what really stands out here are the prints. Some of them are of specific cities in Greece, which you can buy as a print or a sort of pop-up book. Others are bigger abstract prints in bright colours.

This cute Greek design brand has an outlet in Plaka. But if you make it all the way to Athens airport and realise you forgot to buy someone special a gift, don’t fear—before you even go through security, you can stop at Anamnesia. It stocks lots of brightly-coloured clothing and accessories, but you’ll also find great homeware. Creatively-designed tavli (backgammon) sets, mugs, and more are all emblazoned with unique patterns and graphics. Where else can you find an evzone-themed tote, or a notebook covered in spoon sweets? I’ll wait.

Design-lovers should not skip this shop. It appears small when you first walk in, but it continues as a long corridor up the stairs in the back. It’s where the beautiful Cycladic figurine replicas are hiding. You’ll also find candles in matte white containers that will perfectly match the marble items you can buy in the shop. There are also beautiful gold and silver plates and a vase that appears to drip off the shelf, my personal favourite. You can access the gift shop through the side entrance of the museum, on Neofitou Douka Street, without paying the entrance fee. It sits right in front of the gorgeous Cycladic Museum Cafe, so you can sit with a coffee in this well-lit space after you make your purchase. 

Happiness is in the small details at this light-flooded urban jungle in Psirri that proffers indoor house plants, uber-chic design objects—and a damn good cup of organic coffee. Everything you see is up for grabs. From the sculptural cactus plants and artful see-through watering cans; to the Nordic lamps and Scandi sofas. There are also tempting edibles (think frittata with goat’s cheese, caramelized onion and herbs) that you can savour in a tranquil leafy courtyard. Minu Living Store is intentionally hard to nail down: it’s part café; part lounge room; part boutique—and a hundred percent heaven.