If you are addicted to shopping, you are in the right place! In Rhodes, you can buy a wide assortment of items from the whole of Greece to carry home as souvenirs. Rhodes is one of the most cosmopolitan Greek Islands and the city of Rhodes can compete with many of its European counterparts in its selection of designer labels.
One of the most urbanised markets in Greece, the Rhodes Market has everything you could possibly want or need!
For a rundown on some of the better known shops in Rhodes and some tips on the most well known shopping areas, take a look at our Rhodes shopping guide. Take some time out from your shopping spree to grab a bite to each at one of the many Rhodes restaurants and cafes, located amongst Rhodes shopping districts. Our Greece shopping guide provides some great sourvenirs to look out for during your holiday in Greece.
Rhodes Shopping Guide
Shopping hours in Rhodes
Shops in Rhodes are open for a longer time during the summer season; however, in the main towns and resorts, they work during regular hours. Shops are open from 9 am to 1:30 pm after which shopkeepers go home for a short nap. They re-open at 5 pm and then close for the day at 9 pm; some are even open till 11:30 pm.
The Rhodes Market is one of the most urbanised in Greece. It would be impossible to find a European town the size of Rhodes, which has such a huge number of shops cluttering the streets. In the larger shops you can find everything from electronic items to works of art. You can get small decorative items of reasonable prices to famous designer labels.
Name any famous fashion designer or jewellery brand, and you will find their clothes and accessories in Rhodes. The range of items available here is almost infinite and there is something for everyone, including the most demanding buyers. You will also find supermarkets in all the villages, which typically stock up on everything you need, including products you are familiar with back home. Supermarkets and bakeries serve fresh bread, and do not forget to taste the different pies available here. Fresh milk is often kept at supermarkets and bakeries as well as in kiosks. These kiosks or ‘periptera', as they are known in Greek, offer an amazingly wide range of products such as ice, cold drinks, cookies, aspirins, condoms, cigarettes and most importantly telephone cards. If you want to read newspapers, many villages have at least one shop which sells foreign newspapers. Most of the European and American newspapers arrive at Rhodes a day later.
To help you take home memories and record everything that you have seen on your trip to Rhodes, you will find ample photo developing studios on the island and shops which sell cameras and camera film rolls. Photo film development is of a high quality here and done at a reasonable cost too. Photo studios often develop camera films in one hour and sometimes give a new film free of charge.
Jewellery always seems to be a popular item with tourists visiting Greece. There are plenty of jewellery shops in Rhodes and is famous for its good gold and silver jewellery and high standards of workmanship. Prices are cheaper than what you will find back home and their goldsmiths are as famous as their handiwork with gold, silver and precious stones. Greece has a 3000 year old history of making exclusive hand crafted gold jewellery. When you look around, it is impossible not to find something you will like. In town, you will find representatives of almost all famous watchmakers.
Greece is also a manufacturer of furs and a remarkable variety of leather goods such as clothes, shoes and bags. The innumerable shops in Rhodes market have a collection of very expensive leather goods, readymade clothes and furs. You can order goods made from your favourite leather or fur in attractive designs. There are plenty of fancy shops and boutiques to choose from and all your desires and dreams will be met! You will find all kinds of shops in the island of Rhodes which sell items of tourist interest, particularly in the Old Town and resorts. In these shops you will find a complete range of souvenirs, gifts and accessories. In addition to these, you will also find postcards, stamps, maps, books; cosmetic items such as suntan lotions, shampoos, perfumes and also camera rolls and batteries. Walking around these shops to look for the best deal is quite amusing and you should definitely try it!
There is also a vast range of local pottery to choose from. You will find ceramic products in excellent colours and designs. Pottery is usually sold directly to the general public via factory outlets but these can also be found in certain supermarkets and tourist shops in Rhodes.
Another local product of superior quality is linen which is either embroidered or has crotchet work done on it. You can find good bargains of tablecloths and the like.
Herbs are also a good buy in Rhodes. The most common herbs are oregano (rigani), sweet basil (vassilokos), sage (faskomilio) and chamomile (hamomille), which is used as a panacea for everything from rashes, an upset stomach and a cold to sore eyes. Grocery stores will give you a complete range of herbs in either small plastic boxes or packets. Other miscellaneous items which are good here are olive oil, olives, ouzo, Turkish savouries and sponges.
Rhodes is also famous for its reasonably priced umbrellas which come in colourful designs. They make for good souvenirs and you will need it back home for sure. A visit to the Central Fruit Market in Rhodes Town is a must. It is functional every Wednesday and Saturday.
