At a glance
Shops
Monday to Saturday, until 21:00. Each shop sets its own hours within that limit.
Supermarkets on Sundays
The big chains, such as Sklavenitis and AB, usually stay closed.
Quiet hours
Summer: 15:00–17:30 and 23:00–07:00. Winter: 15:30–17:30 and 22:00–07:30.
Acropolis
Closed on 1 January, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25–26 December.
Shops: Monday to Saturday
The legal limit for shops in Athens is 06:00 to 21:00 on weekdays and Saturdays. Within that frame, each business picks its own hours. Small neighbourhood shops usually follow the traditional schedule, with a break at midday.
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Roughly 09:00–15:00. In the afternoon small shops are often closed.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Roughly 09:00–14:30, then again from 17:00–17:30 until 20:30–21:00.
Chains and shopping centres
Usually open all day without a break.
Sklavenitis
Monday–Friday 08:00–21:00, Saturday 08:00–20:00, closed on Sunday, according to the chain's announcement. Check your local store.
Hours for small shops are indicative and not set by law, which is why sources differ by half an hour. In the centre, clothing chains and shopping centres do not close at midday.
The quickest way to check a specific shop is Google Maps. It shows the hours and is usually kept up to date. If the shop has pulled down its shutter and the door is shut, waiting will not change anything.
Practical tip
Do any shopping that depends on opening hours before Saturday afternoon. That is when queues form at the tills and the shelves empty faster.
Sundays
On Sundays most shops are closed. A few special Sundays come up during the year, mainly during the winter sales and before Christmas. Then the retail associations announce hours, usually from 11:00 into the evening, and shopping centres stay open until 20:00. On those same Sundays the big food chains usually remain closed.
For the basics on a Sunday, the small solutions count: the neighbourhood bakery, which often opens in the morning, and the mini markets. The page about supermarkets around Victoria has the options near Ioulianou 50. If you need medicine, see the article about the pharmacy near Victoria Square.
Quiet hours
Quiet hours are set by a 1996 police regulation and concern noise, not shop hours. It does not mean that Greece shuts down at midday. It means that shouting, music or work that disturbs the neighbours is not allowed.
- Summer (1 April to 30 September): 15:00–17:30 and 23:00–07:00.
- Winter (from 1 October): 15:30–17:30 and 22:00–07:30.
The same hours apply in the apartment. If you come back late at night, you help the neighbours by keeping your voice down on the stairs and in the lift.
Food and coffee
Athens tavernas and restaurants keep their own rhythm. Many fill up after 21:00, and a table at 19:00 often stays empty. If you are hungry early you will find space, but the tavernas with the best atmosphere get more people later.
For very early or very late, see the guide to bakeries and food at night.
Banks and cash
Bank branches usually open Monday to Thursday 08:00–14:30 and Friday 08:00–14:00. They are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Sources differ by half an hour for Friday, so check the branch you need.
Outside opening hours you are left with ATMs and currency exchanges. ATMs may charge a fee for foreign cards, so read the screen before you confirm. In Victoria see the currency exchange and ATMs near Victoria.
Public holidays and what changes
The fixed public holidays are 1 January, 6 January, 25 March, 1 May, 15 August, 28 October, and 25 and 26 December. The movable holidays follow Orthodox Easter.
28 October 2026
National anniversary of «Ochi» (No). Athens holds a parade and many shops are closed.
25 and 26 December
Christmas. The Acropolis archaeological site is closed, and so are most shops.
Clean Monday 2027
15 March 2027. It is a holiday for schools and banks. Private shops decide for themselves.
Easter 2027
Easter Sunday falls on 2 May 2027. Shops are closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
In Athens, Easter is the quietest period. Good Friday and Holy Saturday have different hours, and many Athenians leave for their villages. If you travel then, book tables earlier and check the hours of each site.
The Acropolis and museums
The Acropolis archaeological site is open in summer from 08:00 to 20:00. In winter it closes earlier, so check the hours for your day before booking an entry time. The days it stays closed are 1 January, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May, and 25 and 26 December. For 25 March the sources differ, so check the official page.
Entry is by timed ticket. Museums have their own hours and their own holidays. On the eve of holidays and on Holy Saturday they may close earlier. The article on entering the Acropolis without the queue explains how to pick a time, and the page on free museum days shows when the rules change.
A check before every holiday
Open the official page of the site you want and look at the hours for your date. Changes for holidays are announced a few days before.
Frequently asked questions
Do all shops in Athens close at midday?
No. The midday rest is a habit, not a law. Quiet hours concern noise. Most shops in the centre do not close.
Are supermarkets open on Sundays?
The big chains, such as Sklavenitis and AB, are usually closed. Mini markets and bakeries are often open.
When do the winter quiet hours start?
From 1 October. From 1 April the summer schedule applies again.
Can I visit the Acropolis on Easter Sunday?
No. Orthodox Easter Sunday is one of the days the site stays closed. Check the hours for Good Friday and Holy Saturday on the official page.
What are the main holidays in autumn and winter?
28 October, Christmas (25–26 December), New Year's Day and Epiphany (6 January).
— Kathy
