BLACK FRIDAY: Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

The Best Ceramics Shops in Athens

Ceramics are a great souvenir – whether for friends or as a beautiful, useful keepsake for yourself
Ceramics are a great souvenir – whether for friends or as a beautiful, useful keepsake for yourself | © Ivanastar / iStock

You need only visit the extensive displays at the Acropolis museum to see that Athens has long been a centre for pottery and earthenware. Jump forward a few thousand years and the city remains a hub for ceramics. Unlike the ancient designs of old, these new offerings draw less on narratives from Greek mythology and instead proffer timeless, minimalist design with a Grecian feel. Read on for Culture Trip’s guide to the best places to buy ceramics in Athens.

Mon Coin

Located close to the Acropolis, Mon Coin is a small ceramics shop full of artisanal treasures. The bright store is full of idiosyncratic pieces, offering customers a diverse selection of cups, bowls, jugs and more. The selection is regularly updated, so there is always something new to discover.

Trabala Studio

For truly unique pottery, ceramic lovers should make the journey to Koukaki. Trabala Studio is a workshop and store where customers can watch creations come to life as well as purchasing finished products. The style is contemporary and classic, with a wide range of goods on display throughout the store. Choose from useful earthy pen holders, bright lemon juicers and organic vases, or find an unusual decorative piece to furnish your home.

Museum of Cycladic Art Shop

Although it seems strange to recommend a museum store as a great shopping destination, the ceramics sold at the Museum of Cycladic Art shop are some of the best in the city. The collection is often updated with work by local artisans, and objects for sale include ornate replicas of pieces exhibited in the museum alongside artfully decorated, one-of-a-kind designs.

Paraphernalia

An independent design store based in the heart of the city, Paraphernalia stocks a mix of lifestyle products with a notable emphasis on homeware. Inside the trendy minimalist interior you’ll find an immaculate curation of porcelain kitchenware from the UK, minimalist ceramics from Danish designers, Italian bone porcelain and many more idiosyncratic pieces.

Myran Scandinavian Design

The Scandinavian design trend is one that’s here to stay, as you can tell from a visit to the Scandinavian homeware store in Athens. Myran Scandinavian Design shop is guaranteed to cater to your minimalist whims, stocking a large range of ceramicists from across the world, all of whom adhere to classic Nordic aesthetics. The store offers a whole host of ceramics, from classic terracotta vases and urns to Nordic-inspired candlesticks and contemporary Japanese design.

Psit Jewellery

Founded by Katerina Stamati, this jewellery and ceramics shop in the centre of Athens is perfect for those who like to hunt for treasures on their shopping trips. Everything in the store is handmade by Katerina and items range from quirky terracotta plates to clay candleholders and bowls.

MOFU

A destination for those looking to pick up unique, vintage ceramics, MOFU is a design store with a twist. Each piece is hand sourced from across Europe and the US by the team. Inside, you’ll find affordable vintage ceramics from the ’60s and ’70s alongside vases, plant pots and retro tea sets. There’s also an enviable selection of vintage wallpaper, lights and furniture to transform your home.

Monastiraki Flea Market

Although not a ceramics store as such, Athens’ biggest and most famous flea market is a sure bet for finding affordable and quirky vases, cups and plates. The market runs throughout the week in the area around Monastiraki Square, but it is at its most vibrant on Sundays. Hunt in the winding streets of Plaka and also make sure to walk down Ermou towards Thissio – here you’ll find a more eclectic range of items tumbling out of packed shops, but you’re also most likely to find the best pieces here, if you’re ready to rummage.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

About the author

A contributor to titles including Vogue, the Guardian, KEIN, Rollacoaster, Wonderland and Twin magazine, India Doyle joined Culture Trip to help launch their fashion section for the EMEA region, where she focussed on giving emerging designers across the globe a platform to reach international audiences. Now based between London and Greece, she is one of Culture Trip's Greek contributors and covers cultural life in Athens.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad