You may be familiar with the fact that some Christian countries still do not allow shops to enter on Sundays, as it’s the day of rest. In the UK, this used to be the case, though now it’s merely the largest shops which have opening hours restrictions. What about Orthodox Greece? Can you go shopping on Sunday? Let’s take a look!
Is it possible to shop on Sunday in Greece?
Greece is a very religious country, with beliefs playing a major role in the lives of many people. This also applies to the Sunday shopping situation. As such, the general rule of thumb is that most shops and services are supposed to be closed on Sundays with a few exceptions throughout the year.
In practice, however? Some shops, especially in the tourist-heavy regions, remain open on Sunday. Most large supermarkets will typically be closed, though you may still find cafes, small shops and tourist-oriented souvenir shops which will be open. There’s also a tradition of flea markets, like the one in Athens, which open and thrive on Sundays. Even the places which are open may close earlier on Sundays, so be mindful of the closing hours.
As such, you’ll need to do your shopping duties ahead of time if you’re staying in Greece for a weekend.
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