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,…
Must-see shopping in Crete
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Elounda
Friendly little Eklektos caters to summer reading needs in many languages, including English, German and French, and stocks covetable souvenirs and knick…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Hania
This local designer, whose work is distributed internationally, creates wonderful contemporary leather bags (from €100), jewellery and accessories.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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Iraklio
An Iraklio institution, if slightly touristy these days, this busy, narrow agora (market), along Odos 1866 between the Meidani crossroads and Plateia…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Hania
A good spot for gifts and souvenirs by Greek artists and designers, from handmade Lommer bags and olive-oil soaps to handcrafted ceramics.
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Hania
Small store for outdoor clothing and hiking shoes; its more hard-core army-supply store across the road sells camping and climbing gear.
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Hania
Shop for organic local products, from raki, wine and mountain tea to olive oil and honey.
