38 Best Places to Shop in The Cyclades, Greece

Katherina sells her masterful ceramics and Alexander sells his sensitive jewelry—all with motifs based on fish and the olive tree. A couple of doors away is their impressive little art gallery showcasing international artists.

The best place to pick up edible mementos of your trip—a taste of sunshine for back home. Greek delicacies from independent producers are featured, from olive oil to wine, from honey to cheeses, and all are very securely packed for safe transport.

On Market Street, look for the house with the beautifully carved Parian marble facade to find Paros's most elegantly designed shop. Here, Stelios Ghikas, Monique Mailloux, and daughter Ramona display their pottery from Studio Yria, as well as a carefully chosen range of stylish household items. You can also visit their workshop, perched on a slope in the village of Kostos, and see the beautiful and stunning original designs being made.

Tinos produces a lot of milk. This little store represents over 500 farmers who sell milk, butter, and cheeses, including sharp kopanisti, a Cycladic specialty that pairs perfectly with ouzo; local jams, wines, spirits, and honeys are for sale, too.

The AK Art Gallery, in a converted flour mill, is the oldest on Santorini and was founded by internationally acclaimed artists Christoforos Asimis and his wife Eleni Kollaitou. He specializes in ethereal images from his home island of Santorini, and her work encompasses elegant jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics. Just outside town is the AK Art Foundation, an impressive space that houses exhibitions and cultural events.

A visit to the whitewashed studio and gallery of award-winning sculptor, mosaicist, and portrait artist Angelika Vaxevanidou is a glimpse into the world of a successful, internationally commissioned artist. The longtime local artist and resident is recognized for her impressive, sensitive, and emotional large-scale color-pencil portraiture, and on display are works past and present. The studio is open year-round.

Draped in blue morning-glory vines, this gallery showcases jewelry by Greek craftsmen with bold ancient and Byzantine motifs, but the bulk of the shop is taken over by statuary and island-made marble pieces and other objets d'art. The crowded shop, complete with resident cats, is a delight.

A little treasure trove amid the high-end fashion shops of Mykonos town, this emporium offers natural delights from the depths. Supersoft Greek sponges are a great souvenir, as are the exquisite shells hand-harvested from the sea.

Paros's favorite surf shop sells its own-brand clothing range of hoodies, T-shirts, beanies, and rash vests, which make great souvenirs. There is a sister shop in Asteras that also sells water-sport gear and equipment.

Inspired by the Neolithic past of the Cyclades, local artists Natalia and David design and create minimalist ceramics in their Plaka workshop. Japanese-like in their simplicity, these are pots for everyday use burnished in the colors of the sea and the earth.

For nearly 20 years the Kontos family have offered memorable gifts and keepsakes from their extensive travels. African drums rub shoulders with Bollywood film posters and golden icons sit cheek by jowl with vintage toys. Quirky, eccentric, and unique, it is a world away from your average souvenir shop.

Tinos is a rich farming island, and every day but Sunday, farmers from all the far-flung villages fill the square with vegetables, herbs, and kritamos (pickled sea-plant leaves).

On a little square near the very center of town, local Tinian fishermen sell fresh seafood. Meanwhile, the local pelican (a rival to Mykonos's Petros the Pelican) can often be found cadging snacks from them.

Designer Yiannis Galatis has outfitted such famous women as Julie Christie, Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman, and Jackie Onassis, but now he focuses on his art gallery with many pieces made out of driftwood.

A quaint little shop dedicated to all things honey. In hives high up in the mountains of Tinos, the bees make their delicious nectar from the wildflowers and herbs. Bee pollen, royal jelly, honey liqueur, candles, and wine from the owner's fields are also offered.

Internationally known, this fine jewelry collection is based on ancient Greek designs but reinterpreted for the modern woman. Many of their earrings and necklaces are as lovingly worked as art pieces, and the shop is as elegant as a museum. New collections are introduced every year.

The workshop of Nassos Papakonstantinou, on Old Town's main square, sells one-of-a-kind pieces that are sculptural, bold, and masculine. His father was a wood-carver; Nassos has inherited his talent.

For a wide selection of handmade leather goods, head to Kampanas. It can be hard to choose from the array of sandals, purses, and belts for both men and women that line the walls but persevere as the color choices are wide, and the leather is top quality.

A large selection of their famous kitron (citron liqueur), as well as Naxos wines, thyme honey, and preserves, can be found at Promponas Wines and Liquors, near the Naxos Town waterfront. It has been around since 1915, and free glasses of kitro are offered.

In the shadow of the Orthodox Cathedral, Koukla is home to simple, modern creative jewelry from a selection of Greek designers. Individual and quirky pieces abound, and the nonpushy owners will help you select a unique memento of your trip.

An old ceramics store with a handsome mosaic floor has been transformed into a modern concept store showcasing the best of Greek jewelry designers. Accessories and some household items round out the collection.

Antiparos's trendiest concept boutique features a hip selection of bags and purses, T-shirts, and accessories crafted by Greek designers. You can also browse through creations made with care by the talented owner, Mariliza Dimakou, including stylish Greek leather sandals and handmade Greek-inspired jewelry.

There's an exuberance to the work of Yorgos Kypris, accentuated in his gallery on a bright airy perch high above the caldera. In his striking sculptural creations in glass, clay, metal, and other natural materials, seabirds flock, fish swirl in schools, and sharks loom out of the wall; some designs are also available as jewelry. The artist also has an exhibition space in an old winery in Mesaria that hosts local and international talents.

Inspired and individual keepsakes from Greek designers. Choose from modern bags printed with sea creatures, handmade ceramics and cosmetics, or anarchic T-shirts. It's not your average souvenir shop.

This cave-house gallery takes its name from the Greek goddess of memory, and you will definitely remember your visit here. Exquisite jewelry, all by local artists and all exclusive to the gallery, is joined by an eclectic collection of photography. A little tricky to find, it is at the north end of Ia, close to the Old Castle—follow the signs along the way.

Techni translates to "art" in Greek and that's what the shop showcases—locally and traditionally inspired handmade arts and crafts. The collections include embroidery and knitted items created by women in Greece's mountain villages. Handmade carpets, cushions, and linens are also for sale.

Objets d'art are made from highly polished semiprecious stones and glow with color and form. Pantelis and Nikola Kaloteraki can also create jewelry in the stone of your choice. Vases, sculptures, and many other distinctive pieces fill the shop, which has been a presence in Santorini for almost four decades.

Mykonos used to be a weaver's island, where 500 looms clacked away. Only a few active weavers remain today and Nikoleta Xidakis was one of them, selling skirts, shawls, and bedspreads made of local wool, as she did for more than 50 years. Daughter Anna carries on the family tradition.

Maria Kouniou is a local artist and displays her own handmade and hand-painted woodcraft wall hangings in her little whitewashed shop. She's also proud to support other Greek artists and sells their fun, colorful jewelry and T-shirts that reflect the style and beauty of Greece.

Opened by Dimitris Parthenis in 1978, the collection of cotton and silk garments, mostly in neutral colors, is very popular for their timeless basics and a bohemian feel. Now designed by daughter Orsalia, the collection is showcased in a lovely shop near Alefkandra Square.