Laiki Agora: Local Greek Farmer's Market
- by XpatAthens
- Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Greece is famous for its fresh fruit and vegetables and whether you live here or are just visiting, it is well worth your time (and pocket) to visit a market in your area.
The farmers markets or as it is locally known, ‘laiki agora’ (λαϊκή αγορά), which literally means ‘the people's market.’ These markets are very common all over Greece, including Athens and its suburbs!
Laiki markets happen weekly in most neighbourhoods and sell mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and plants, as well as some household items and prepared foods. The laiki agora is considered an important social custom and tradition throughout Greece.
The products sold in the people's market are typically those comprising a Mediterranean diet, known for its healthy qualities, and are key ingredients in Greek cuisine. The produce sold is almost always local, or in Greek known as ‘dopio’ (ντόπιο), such as fresh fruits (depending on the season, oranges, apples, watermelons, melons, strawberries, and others), vegetables and leaf vegetables (like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce), chicken, eggs from suburban farms, and fish.
Here are some tips for shopping at laiki:
1. You'll only find in season fruits and vegetables, so plan accordingly!
2. Take small euro notes and change with you.
3. It’s said that producers change their prices frequently within the same day, especially for sensitive products such as fish. The price is usually higher early in the morning (8-9h00) and is lowered later in the day, especially if the product does not sell well that particular day. Prices are always written on paper cards and said verbally. The lowest possible prices can be found after midday (particularly by 1-2pm); in many cases less than half the original starting price!
Below we've compiled a list of all the farmer's markets accordingly to the day of the week. Laiki markets usually start first thing in the morning by 8 am and run until products run out (typically until 2 pm).
We’ve done our best to provide accurate information, but this information can change every few months. However, you should be able to spot the farmer's market on the designated day by driving around the area and spotting the traffic!
The farmers markets or as it is locally known, ‘laiki agora’ (λαϊκή αγορά), which literally means ‘the people's market.’ These markets are very common all over Greece, including Athens and its suburbs!
Laiki markets happen weekly in most neighbourhoods and sell mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers and plants, as well as some household items and prepared foods. The laiki agora is considered an important social custom and tradition throughout Greece.
The products sold in the people's market are typically those comprising a Mediterranean diet, known for its healthy qualities, and are key ingredients in Greek cuisine. The produce sold is almost always local, or in Greek known as ‘dopio’ (ντόπιο), such as fresh fruits (depending on the season, oranges, apples, watermelons, melons, strawberries, and others), vegetables and leaf vegetables (like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and lettuce), chicken, eggs from suburban farms, and fish.
Here are some tips for shopping at laiki:
1. You'll only find in season fruits and vegetables, so plan accordingly!
2. Take small euro notes and change with you.
3. It’s said that producers change their prices frequently within the same day, especially for sensitive products such as fish. The price is usually higher early in the morning (8-9h00) and is lowered later in the day, especially if the product does not sell well that particular day. Prices are always written on paper cards and said verbally. The lowest possible prices can be found after midday (particularly by 1-2pm); in many cases less than half the original starting price!
Below we've compiled a list of all the farmer's markets accordingly to the day of the week. Laiki markets usually start first thing in the morning by 8 am and run until products run out (typically until 2 pm).
We’ve done our best to provide accurate information, but this information can change every few months. However, you should be able to spot the farmer's market on the designated day by driving around the area and spotting the traffic!
If you'd like to tell us about a market not on the list below or an update
please send an email to ideas@xpatathens.com
MONDAY
| Cholargos | Syrou Street (From 14/9/2015) |
| Glyka Nera | Bouboulinas Street |
| Kifissia | 1st May Street |
| Nea Erithraia | Kanari & Iroon Politechniou Street |
| Rafina | Panousis Street |
| Saronida | Lefkadas & Chlois Street |
| Neo Psichiko | Sofouli Street (From 21/9/2015) |
| Gerakas | Iroon Politechniou Street |
| Zografou | Permanent: Giourgou Papandreou Street From 26/11: Agias Lavras Street |
TUESDAY
| Alimos | Lisikratous Str. (From 9/1/2015 to 31/12/2015) Chimaras & Artemidos Str. (From 2/3/2015 to 30/9/2015) |
| Anthousa | Ksanthis Street |
| Galatsi | Karaiskaki Street (From 08/09/2015) |
| Kato Ilioupoli | Farmakidou Street (From 7/7/2015) |
| Kipseli | Sikinou Street (From 3/3/2015) |
| Koropi | November to February: G. Anagnostou Str. March to June: N. Konsta str July to October: Ag. Anargiron str |
| Malakassa | Kolokotroni Street |
| Melissia | Switches every 6 months between K. Tsimbriki str & Tritis (3rd) Septemvriou |
| Moschato | Argostoli Street (From 5/12/2015) |
| Nea Filadelfia | Fleming Street (From 7/7/2015 to 31/12/2015) |
| Paiania | Othonos Xounta Street |
| Pagkrati | Laertou & Timotheos Street |
| Porto Rafti | Leoforos Gregou |
| Ano Glyfada | Antheon Streer |
WEDNESDAY
| Anavissos | November to March: Dimosthenous Str April to October Kiprianou Str |
| Dafni | Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (From 14/10/2015) |
| Kifissia | Bakogianni Street (Permanent) |
| Nea Smirni | Ano Nea Smirni: Ellinospontou Street Nea Smirni: Arkadioupoleos Street Nea Smirni: Megalou Aleksandou Stree |
| Vari Dilofo | Kalimnou Str. (from Panos str to Vari-Koropi Avenue) |
THURSDAY
| Elliniko | Amazonon Street (From 9/3/2015) |
| Galatsi | Platonos Street (From 9/9/2015) |
| Glyfada | Agiou Gerasimou Street |
| Grammatiko | Agiou Athanasiou |
| Kipseli | Tinou & Sporadon Street (From 2/7/2015) |
| Nea Makri | Dimitriadi Street |
| Papagou | Pindou Street (From 1/10/2015 to 31/12/2015) |
| Voula | Metaxa Street (From 13/8/2015) |
| Pallini | Eleftheriou Venizelou Street |
FRIDAY
| Agia Paraskeui | Eptanisou Street (From 17/7/2015) |
| Kolonaki | Ksenokratous Street (Permanent) |
| Palaio Faliro | Chronopoulou Street (Permanent) K. Palaiologou Street (Permanent) Ivis Street (From 23/10/2015) |
| Vari | Moutousi & Anapafseos Street |
| Neo Irakleio | Kountouriotou Street |
SATURDAY
| Agia Paraskeui Ellinikou | Kalidromiou Street |
| Maroussi | Gounari Street (From 7/6/2015) |
| Polidrossos | Rododafnis Street (From 3/10/2015) |
| Vouliagmeni | Thiseos Street |
Athens Central Market
Located on Athinas street between Monastiraki and Omonia, Athens’ central market is open daily, except Sunday.
Organic Food Markets
There are a growing number of markets where organic producers can sell their certified produce. Organic certification is regulated by the relevant law in force. At these markets, consumers can purchase fresh and manufactured organic products such as fruits, vegetables, edible olives, olive oil, wine, etc. Below is a list of organice markets around Athens.
Located on Athinas street between Monastiraki and Omonia, Athens’ central market is open daily, except Sunday.
Organic Food Markets
There are a growing number of markets where organic producers can sell their certified produce. Organic certification is regulated by the relevant law in force. At these markets, consumers can purchase fresh and manufactured organic products such as fruits, vegetables, edible olives, olive oil, wine, etc. Below is a list of organice markets around Athens.
| Monday | Kifissia (Char. Trikoupi) 16:30 to 19:30 |
| Tuesday | Palio Psychiko (Plateia Arsakeiou) 16:30 to 19:30 |
| Wednesday | Glyfada (Plateia Xenofondos) 16:30 to 19:30 Halandri/Chalandri (Timfristou) 16:30 to 19:30 Ilioupoli (Alexandrou Papanastasiou) 16:00-19:30 |
| Thursday | Gerakas (Ethniki Antistaseos) 16:30 to 19:30 |
| Friday | Kolonaki (Dexamenis Square) 09:00- 13:00 Cholargos (Sirou Str) 16:30 to 19:30 |
| Saturday | Kipseli (public Market) 09:00- 14:00 Voula (Sokratous Str) 09:00- 14:00 |
If you'd like to give us an update or tell us about a market not on the list above, please send an email to ideas@xpatathens.com