Thessaloniki is a great place for shopping and you can find a wide variety of options that satisfy all tastes as well as everyone’s affordability. All you have to do is walk around the city. High fashion couture, local boutiques, outlet malls and a wide range of shops are some of the options in Thessaloniki.
So, here’s a look at the best and most famous markets in Thessaloniki:
Shopping Malls
Outside the city and heading east to the airport you can visit Mediterranean Cosmos Shopping Mall. There are plenty of shops with well-known brands, many fast food options and a large movie theater with several halls. This shopping center is a great solution for those who want to spend quality time, as there are restaurants and cafes-bars that promise beautiful moments of relaxation.
There are, also, another two major shopping malls in the city. First, One Salonica Outlet Mall is located on the west end of the city and offers great discounted brands. It doesn’t compare to the Mediterranean Cosmos in terms of size, but it has everything you need for a hassle-free ride. Finally, a similar shopping center is the Mega Outlet Mall, located on the east side of the city heading to the airport. Like the previous one, Mega Outlet Mall is much smaller than the Mediterranean Cosmos, but it guarantees you will find anything you are looking for.
Main Shopping Streets In Thessaloniki Center
The best place to find the majority of shopping options is in the center of Thessaloniki. Specifically, Egnatia, Tsimiski and Hagia Sophia are the streets where you will find most shops, whether they are large chains or smaller stores. Also, there are many high fashion boutiques that are definitely worth a little of your time. It goes without saying that there are also large malls, which accommodate too many brands according to all tastes and preferences. Finally, a great idea is to stroll down Agia Sophia’s pedestrian street, where there are many options for coffee and food so you can rest and take a break from your shopping.
Head to Egnatia and you’ll find countless shops of clothing and footwear, bakeries, bookstores and many more, many of which are cheaper than those in Tsimiski and Hagia Sophia. The road is usually crowded with vehicles, especially at rush hour, but it is a really good option for walking and shopping. There is so much you can do by choosing one of the two directions of the road and walking. Going west you will reach the famous Aristotelous Square, where there are plenty of food and coffee options. Of course, there are many nice hotels in the area, which offer great views over the Thermaikos Gulf and direct access to all the sights of the city.
Finally, let’s not forget the Proxenou Koromila street. It’s a small street in the heart of the city, where there are expensive high couture brands. There, someone can find small and elegant cafés for a few moments of rest.
Modiano Market
This is the most famous and traditional market of Thessaloniki, which is inside a arcade. This market has been a gathering place for locals for more than 80 years and is right in the heart of the city. A walk through the Modiano market will take you back to the early 1900’s, when the market bustle was part of everyday life. Today, most of the shops and stalls within the market sell food such as fish, meat, exotic spices, cheeses, delicatessen and fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also find some taverns where you can try some of the local dishes.
Kapani Market
Kapani is another market located in the heart of Thessaloniki and more specifically just a few steps from Aristotelous Square. It is the oldest open market in the city, having been there for centuries and seems to be out of touch with the modern environment around it. However, Kapani continues to be a favorite destination among locals who prefer it for their shopping when it comes to their weekly shopping. Like at Modiano market, meat, fresh vegetables, fish and dairy products are available for sale here, but you can also find many household and cleaning products. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the market and experience the noisy and fast pace of a truly traditional Thessaloniki market.
Bit Bazaar
Bit Bazaar is the must-visit market if you are interested in antique shops and are fond of vintage items. Today, many of the old shops have been transformed into taverns and bars, but the market has not lost its identity at all. People know it as the place where someone can find old objects that are really worth it.
Rent your car from Alpha Drive Rent a Car, explore all of Thessaloniki’s shopping areas and shop as much as you can!