If you are wondering what to buy in Greece as you plan your upcoming trip, you are in the right place! Greek souvenirs are available all over the country and make a great gift for friends and family back home or something to bring back as a memento of your travels.
Greece is an easy place to fall in love with. Its idyllic beaches, its centuries-old history, its delicious Mediterranean food, and its laid-back pace of life are just a few reasons that keep people dreaming about visiting, and returning again and again.
I always allow my boys to pick out something from our travels and also try to include the country’s flag. This trip to Greece was no different. They struggled to choose something small to bring home as there were so many statues that they wanted to add to their collection.
Shopping in Greece for Greek souvenirs can be a lot of fun! Here are my top choices for what to buy in Greece on your vacation.
What to Buy in Greece: 15 Greek Souvenirs to Keep your Eye out for!
Below you will find a list of the best Greek souvenirs to look for in your travels!
Olive Oil
Olive trees, thousands of years old are found throughout the Aegean. It is thought that cultivation goes back to Neolithic times on the Greek island of Crete. If you are looking for one of the top things to buy in Greece, grab yourself some extra virgin olive oil.
If you are into soaps, stock up on some Olive Oil soap. Now one of the most popular ingredients in soaps and excellent for sensitive skin. These are some of the things to buy in Athens to take home as it does not spill and will not break!
Read why Greek Olive Oil is the best here.
Evil Eye Pendant
The evil eye, known in Greece as an evil eye “mati” is a common sight all over the whitewashed walls in Greece. It is thought to ward off evil spirits. You will see it in houses and on jewelry. I grabbed one for each of my boys because I was wondering, “What should I buy when in Greece.” If you are backpacking Greece and need something small, this might be the perfect Greek souvenir! It is also a nice and small Greek souvenir that is easy to bring home if you are short on space! (Not everyone has room for a Bouzouki – more on what that is below!)
Things you should know about the Evil Eye and Turkey. If you are planning on visiting Turkey, they also have the evil eye EVERYWHERE and they are much cheaper than in Greece, so save yourself a few dollars. You can read what else to buy in Turkey here.
Worry Beads
Almost every Greek man will be seen with worry beads in his hand or hanging out of his pocket. Known as komboloi, it is one of those Greek souvenirs that you might not have any use for, but they are beautiful as a decoration. Perhaps they were the world’s first fight spinners, I considered getting my kids one each. In many other cultures, they are known as prayer beads to keep track of prayers or calm the mind, but Greeks have adopted the habit as a secular, rather than a religious, hobby. It is meant as a calming practice and used to reduce stress.
Ouzo
Alcohol is VERY cheap in Greece and plays a role in daily lifestyle. It was a total opposite of my recent travels in the Middle East, but a welcome change!
Do not be surprised when wine is offered when you check into a small boutique hotel or Airbnb. Distilled spirits are very popular in Greece and Ouzo is one of the most popular. I grabbed a few small bottles to bring home to my spirit-drinking friends and cannot wait to crack them open!
Wine is also popular in Greece and I had fun browsing the aisles of the grocery store trying to decide which one to bring home for dinner! When a bottle is just a couple of Euros, you might as well enjoy a different bottle with each meal!
Ouzo is one of the popular Greek souvenirs and something unique to grab if you are looking for things you can only buy in Greece! Make sure you know your home country’s entry allowances when you are doing your shopping.
Halva and Greek Sweets
I am partial to halva but others will tell you that the diamond-shaped baklava is the way to go! Make sure you try at least one or the other while you are in Greece.
While halva is an easier Greek souvenir to bring home, enjoy the baklava and other sweet treats while you are there. When Greeks visit friends, they usually buy cakes rather than make them. There are so many amazing bakeries all over, you will not have a hard time falling in love with Greek deserts.
If you want to know where to get some great food while visiting Athens, check out the Best Athens Restaurants.
Greek Bouzouki
This instrument became extremely popular in the 1920s and is synonymous with Greek music. If you are looking for a unique Greek souvenir to bring home, consider a musical instrument like a Greek Bouzouki. It is one of those things you can only find in Greece!
While they can be tough to travel with, you can find Bouzouki shops that have miniature ones.
Backgammon
A backgammon board is what to buy in Greece for a statement coffee table item!
I love it when my souvenirs tell a story and it is something that I can not only use to play but also evoke strong feelings of the Aegean and my time in Greece. Backgammon is an easy game for me to teach my kids, something to pass the time, and a reason for us to sit around and chat about Greece and our time there, long after we have returned home.
Greek Coffee
Do not go asking for Turkish coffee in Greece! If you are a coffee lover and want to buy one of the cheap things to buy in Greece, look no further than Greek coffee! It is essentially the same thing as Turkish coffee, or Arabic country that is common across the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.
This strong and aromatic coffee is boiled and served in a small cup. Avoid drinking the sediment at the bottom of the cup.
Try it while you visit and get a feel for how it is made and then bring some home to share with your family! Greek Tea is also a cheap Greek souvenir.
Greek Jewelry
If you are planning on ever going to a toga party, pick yourself up an adorable Greek crown or headband. I bought one for myself while shopping in Greece and got fabulous comments on it. It also made this year’s Halloween costume super easy!
There is also plenty of handmade Greek jewelry for you to buy on your trip. Keep your eyes open when browsing independent souvenir shops for unique Greek souvenirs that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. These kinds of purchases are always the most meaningful. Often I can picture the shop or the shop owner or exactly where I was when I bought a special piece of jewelry.
Wind Mill
Want to know what to buy in Santorini? Wind Mills are the short answer. They are synonymous with the Greek island of Santorini. While wandering the white-washed labyrinth of pathways you are sure to see small shops selling them. With their blue and white colors, they are one of the best things to buy in Santorini!
If you are planning a visit to Santorini while you are in Greece, check out my Santorini blog for everything you want to know about the bucket list island, and then have a read of Santorini safety precautions to keep in mind.
Greek God Statues
We had a hard time deciding on just one statue to bring home to go with the one we bought in Egypt. These are some of the things you can only buy in Greece. There are plenty of shops selling statues from cheap to very expensive! Our favorite ones were in the Athens neighborhood of Plaka.
My kids say these are the best souvenirs from Greece! Most of these are imported products, likely made in places like Turkey or China. If you aim is to support the locals as much as possible, look for locally-made products that you can bring home.
Leather Sandals
Complete your shopping in Greece and complement your stylish outfit with a pair of handmade leather sandals. They are surprisingly affordable compared to what I expected and they are perfect to wear while in Greece and when you come home!
Feta Cheese
Feta is the best-known cheese in Greece and something you will want to buy, even if it is to enjoy at every meal and not bring home! Feta cheese is crumbly and flavorful and is often a side you can order on its own! Before you bring it home, check with your country’s regulations, as many countries do not allow fresh food to be brought into the country.
Greek Honey
Honey is a lot easier to transport compared to Feta cheese. This is an easy suggestion when it comes to what to buy in Greece that you can take home and enjoy long after your vacation has ended.
Greece produces several types of honey. A few examples are thyme honey, Greek pine honey, wild oak honey, and chestnut honey.
Santorini Donkey
If you are going to Santorini, the typical tourist item revolves around the Santorini Donkey. They are on t-shirts, ornaments, the name of wine, stuffed animals for kids, and are just about EVERYWHERE!
They are by far, the most popular souvenirs from Santorini. Before you visit, read this post is Santorini safe, so you are aware of how to keep safe while visiting.
What to Buy in Greece Final Thoughts
When in grocery stores in Greece, note that most labeling is in GREEK ONLY! It made for some fun navigating! But I love seeing what is in a typical Greek store and wandering the aisles. Do you? I will have a post on Greek Grocery stores coming up soon!
Make sure you have your camera or your phone handy! There are plenty of photo-worthy moments all over Greece! Then check out these vacation captions for Instagram photos! It will give you the perfect quote ideas for your photos! I also have a post on Santorini quotes and captions.
Also, do not forget to check out this post on mistakes to avoid on your trip to Santorini. It is a popular one for good reason!
I hope you have some great ideas for what to buy in Greece as you visit this beautifully diverse country! While you explore the mainland and island-hop, enjoy the plethora of great food (oh the cheese!), the friendly hospitality of Greeks, and the wonderful adventures you encounter!
Which Greek Islands do you plan to visit in Greece? If it is Ios, check out a Guide to Ios
*** If you are looking for the best tours to take in Santorini, check out this Catamaran Cruise.
*** If you are visiting other Islands and want some suggestions, there are great options here for day trips and tours!
Like what you read? Check out my series of “What to Buy” souvenir posts on: Egypt, Turkey, and Canada!
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.