Many are the shopping streets of central Athens; however a basic reference point for commercial traffic is Ermou and its adjoining streets. Take a walk from Syntagma square down the busy cobblestone pedestrian mall; most shops are branches of international companies. However, browsing the streets intersecting:  Leka, Karagiorgis of Serbia, Romvis etc, you will see a synthesis of shops featuring raw materials, fabrics, ribbons, gemstones, and colorful packaging and storing items. Among  the arcades and walkways, the many small cafes and restaurants that have shown up recently are waiting to refresh you and satisfy your appetite. Walking further down, a rather nice stroll is that on Aiolou Street among the beautiful neoclassicals, where the Athenians coming downtown to do some shopping, as an afterthought, sit for a coffee in one of the trendy café-bars gathered around of the church of Agia Eirini, a site that definitely merits a visit. Considered one of the trendy places in town, these same spots remain open till the wee hours, gathering all kinds of fashionable Athenians.
It’s an excellent alternative for a pleasant stroll through the city, which combines shopping and people-watching, and it is located just a few steps from the tourist centers of Plaka and Monastiraki.