Souvenir shopping can be tedious, especially when purchasing multiple items for friends, family, and yourself. The ideal way, therefore, to approach souvenir buying is to look for authentic regional products. Objects that are exclusive to a country and not readily available elsewhere in the world. The wonderful thing about Greek souvenirs is that they come in various shapes, sizes, and budgets. Moreover, you can find all types of souvenirs in Greece, from the fashionable and food-centric to the decorative and artifacts that highlight the vibrancy of Greek heritage.
Greek Coffee
Promising a distinct taste, Greek coffee is an excellent gift for your coffee-drinking friends. Finely ground, aromatic, naturally flavourful, and creamy in nature, it does not require milk. Traditionally, there are three variations of Greek coffee. Sketos is coffee without sugar, whereas metrios has a little bit of sugar. Glykos is sweet coffee with two tablespoons of sugar to one tablespoon of coffee. Prepacked Greek coffee is easily available in convenience stores and is not too expensive either.
However, when searching for genuinely unique must-buy Greek souvenirs, look for a briki. A small pot with a handle, briki is the only equipment required to make coffee in Greece. Locals add water, sugar, and coffee powder in the briki, placing it over a flame and waiting for the concoction to boil. Once poured into a cup, the coffee is rich in character and compliments most sweet and savory Greek treats.
Ancient Greek Replicas
Souvenir shops across Greece sell all types of replicas pertaining to Greek mythology and customs. Remarkably well-made, these mementos of Greece’s bygone era are excellent decorative and conversation pieces.
Greek replicas come in diverse sizes, from small ones that look good on your bookshelf to larger items that add an exotic element to any garden. The more attractive replicas are statues and busts of famous Greeks, helmets, shields, and swords. You’ll find them in metal and stone as well as other cheaper materials. Greek ceramic pottery is another souvenir option. Hand-painted, colorful, and featuring iconic motifs, they make for excellent art pieces to have around the house.
Tavli
The best way to travel around the Greek isles is by boat. While Ferryscanner can help you book ferry tickets for your island-hopping adventure, you still need to stay busy during the journey. That’s why tavli is among the must-buy Greek souvenirs that you should get early on in your trip.
Greek backgammon is a popular pastime. You will come across locals of all ages playing tavli in streets and cafes. Souvenir shops in Greece sell wooden tavli boards in varying sizes, including smaller ones, ideal for travel. Greek residents play three types of tavli games. Portes is similar to western backgammon. Plakota has a few Greek variations, while Fevga is the Turkish version of the game.
Kompoloi
The handiest of must-buy Greek souvenirs, kompoloi are “worry beads” that residents carry around with them at all times. With no religious affiliation, playing with these strings of beads helps relax the mind. At the same time, the clicking of the kompoloi makes a beautiful sound.
Greeks typically use two hands to move pairs of beads from one side of the string to another. A good kompoloi has a single head-bead and a tassel knot at opposite ends to keep the other beads in place. Amber, coral, and glass are materials of choice when selecting a kompoloi. Avoid the plastic kompoloi as they are harmful to the environment and not always authentically made.
Olive Oil
Representing peace and prosperity, the olive tree has been an integral part of Greek culture for thousands of years. Therefore, a bottle of virgin olive oil is definitely one of the must-buy Greek souvenirs to pick up during your trip. Packed in beautiful glass bottles, you can get olive oil in small or large quantities.
Buying olive oil allows you to continue adding a distinctly Greek flavor to your cooking long after returning home. However, the olive tree in Greece has many uses. The wood of the tree, for example, is ideal for crafting household items. So, don’t forget to purchase wooden kitchen utensils, honey pots, bowls, and plates along with the oil.
Leather Sandals
It’s hard to walk past a market in Athens without coming across a shop selling a range of leather sandals. Traditional as well as contemporary in design, sandals are both functional and fashionable Greek souvenirs that many tourists take back home with them.
Moreover, made with durable and robust leather, Greek sandals last long and are super comfortable to wear. The best place to buy sandals when in Athens is Melissinos. The shop is famous for making handmade authentic Greek leather products like sandals, belts, and bags. Open since the 1920s, they have a long list of celebrity clientele, including The Beatles, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, and many more.
Mati
Mati, or “evil eye,” holds much significance in Greek society. It is a talisman used to ward off evil spirits or curses others might place on you. Although resembling the Turkish nazar boncuk in look, a mati is an integral part of local beliefs throughout Greece. It is often worn as part of jewelry and is also a permanent fixture in homes.
A mati is among the Greek souvenirs that you can purchase in varied forms. However, the main shape and color, circular with blue and white circles, remains the same. Glass is the preferred material for a mati. You can either buy a mati to hang outside your house or get one in a keyring, necklace, or bracelet to carry around.