Must-see shopping in Crete

  • Zalo

    Iraklio

    This recommended shop specialises in the kinds of souvenirs that won't embarrass you a year down the track: designer art prints, jewellery, notebooks,…

  • Sifis Stavroulakis

    Hania

    Beautiful naturalistic jewellery made with semi-precious stones and metals takes on floral and human forms in this small shopfront and jeweller’s workshop.

  • Marianna’s Workshop

    Rethymno Province

    Just up from Maroulas' charming main square you’ll find tiny Marianna’s Workshop. Marianna Founti-Vassi collects aromatic medicinal herbs from the…

  • Leather Studio Kanakakis

    Rethymno

    At this small store-workshop you can watch the owner make quality handmade leather belts in all sorts of colours and designs. There’s also a good…

  • Frosso Bora Pottery Studio & Shop

    Rethymno

    Local artist Frosso Bora makes beautiful pots, vases, candlesticks, bowls and other vessels from local clay using the wheel or slabs. Prices are very…

  • Spantis

    Rethymno

    John Spantidakis works with raw leather – not pre-dyed or pre-cut – to create handmade bags, belts and wallets that will make you crave leatherware like…

  • Wood Art

    Rethymno

    Many of the wooden ware you find in Greece has been imported from Tunisia. But Niko Siragas creates his own here using woodturning techniques dating back…

  • Keramion

    Rethymno Province

    Much of George and Marinki’s pottery is created using Minoan techniques and designs and is fired in wood, resulting in a brown finish. (The red finish is…

  • Ora Gentleman

    Iraklio

    Cretan pursuer of finer things Nikos Makridakas designs his own top-shelf clothing for men (including made-to-measure options), combining the best of…

  • Aerakis Music

    Iraklio

    An Iraklio landmark since 1974, this little shop stocks an expertly curated selection of Cretan and Greek music, from old and rare recordings to the…

  • Maravel Shop

    Rethymno Province

    Along the main tourist drag is this store selling organic beauty products made using ingredients grown in its nearby garden. There's an interesting…

  • Miden Agan

    Hania

    Food and wine lovers are spoilt for choice at this excellent shop, which stocks more than 800 Greek wines as well as its own wines and liquors, along with…

  • Women’s Cooperative

    Hania Province

    The Women’s Cooperative, on Gavalohori's main square, sells a few rare pieces of kapaneli (intricately worked silk lace) made by local women. You can…

  • Ambrosia & Nectar

    Agios Nikolaos

    Although unequivocally tourist geared, Pepi's little shop is crammed with Cretan-made quality souvenirs you're likely still to enjoy back home. Things to…

  • Roka Carpets

    Hania

    This is one of the few places in Crete where you can buy genuine, hand-woven goods (note, though, that they're not antiques). Amiable Mihalis Manousakis…

  • Eklektos Bookshop

    Elounda

    Friendly little Eklektos caters to summer reading needs in many languages, including English, German and French, and stocks covetable souvenirs and knick…

  • Zamaros

    Rethymno Province

    In the main square just down from the Orthodox church is this small cheesemaker that whips up daily batches of homemade halloumi and graviera; all are…

  • Agora

    Hania

    Hania’s cross-shaped market hall opened in 1913 and bustles mostly with souvenir-hunting tourists, though a few stands selling traditional Cretan produce…

  • Ilys

    Rethymno Province

    This gallery is an explosion of colour. Brightly glazed bowls, plates, light fixtures, raki cups and other small (and not so small) keepsakes line the…

  • Kerazoza

    Agios Nikolaos

    This gem of a shop sells eye-catching necklaces, bracelets and rings, and masks and marionettes derived from ancient Greek theatre, along with some good…

  • Lappa Avocado Shop

    Rethymno Province

    Across the street from the remains of Ancient Lappa and under the stone archway, you’ll find the Lappa Avocado Shop. It sells organic cold-pressed avocado…

  • Avli Raw Materials

    Rethymno

    Foodies will love the store at Avli restaurant, packed with a huge range of gourmet delights from around Greece, including great wines, olive oil,…

  • Mediterraneo Bookstore

    Hania

    On the waterfront, this bookshop sells a good range of travel guides, hiking guides to Samaria Gorge and books on Crete, as well as international press…

  • Diskopoleion Music Store

    Rethymno

    This pint-sized music store is run by a knowledgeable owner with good taste in Greek rock, punk, psychedelica and jazz, along with traditional Cretan…

  • Gallios Ceramic Art

    Rethymno Province

    Down a side road at the top of the village (look for the sign 'Ceramic Art'), Konstantinos Gallios makes some beautiful pieces, displayed in his inviting…

  • Liranthos

    Rethymno

    This tiny store filled with musical instruments is the place to get that bouzouki or Cretan lyra. You can also pick up CDs of local Cretan music.

  • Georgina Skalidi

    Hania

    This local designer, whose work is distributed internationally, creates wonderful contemporary leather bags (from €100), jewellery and accessories.

  • Ilias Spondidakis

    Rethymno

    Tiny bookstore tucked down a souk-like alley has novels in English, books on Crete, maps, CDs of Greek music and a small secondhand section.

  • Mikro Karavi

    Hania

    Stocks travel guides and a range of books on Crete and Greece, along with a great selection of English-language novels and Greek music CDs.

  • Xenos Typos

    Rethymno

    This place sells foreign press, plus books on Crete and maps.

  • Spanoioakis

    Rethymno

    Hidden away in Rethymno's labyrinth of alleys is this bakery that's been at it since 1958. As well as freshly baked spanakopita and pastries, it's most…

  • Iraklio Central Market

    Iraklio

    An Iraklio institution, if slightly touristy these days, this busy, narrow agora (market), along Odos 1866 between the Meidani crossroads and Plateia…

  • Aroma Coffee Shop

    Agios Nikolaos

    If you're a stickler for quality coffee, stock up on freshly roasted beans at this shoe-box-size shop that also sells biscuits, sweets and nuts as well as…

  • Exantas Art Space

    Hania

    This high-concept store has great postcards with old photos, a small selection of rare books, handmade arts and crafts by local artists, Cretan music, and…

  • Jane's Fish Market

    Agios Nikolaos

    In business since 1925, Jane's is a handy spot for self-caterers to pick up whatever the sea has yielded that night – from shrimp to octopus, snapper to…

  • Pelekanakis

    Hania

    Sells driving and hiking maps, guidebooks in several languages and otherwise hard-to-find books about Crete, along with a few mainstream English-language…

  • Handmade Hats

    Hania

    This small shop is both an atelier and a boutique crammed with unique handmade hats – beribboned, in felt or in canvas – and printed textiles.

  • Memorabilia

    Hania

    A good spot for gifts and souvenirs by Greek artists and designers, from handmade Lommer bags and olive-oil soaps to handcrafted ceramics.

  • Karistianis

    Hania

    Small store for outdoor clothing and hiking shoes; its more hard-core army-supply store across the road sells camping and climbing gear.

  • Terra Verde

    Hania

    Shop for organic local products, from raki, wine and mountain tea to olive oil and honey.