Planning a trip to Athens, Thessaloniki, or the Greek islands in 2026? You might be asking: “Are shops open on Sundays in Greece?” The answer isn't a simple yes or no, but thanks to new regulations (Law 5157/2024), the Sunday shopping calendar has become much clearer for travelers. Check out the designated shopping Sundays, supermarket opening hours, and where to shop during the tourist season to avoid closed doors during your vacation.

2026 Shopping Sunday Calendar in Greece [LIST]

Wondering when to plan your shopping spree? Based on current Greek trade laws, here are the official dates when supermarkets, department stores, and boutiques in Greece will be open:

• January 18, 2026 - Start of winter sales in Greece.
• January 25, 2026 - Continued winter sale deals.
• April 5, 2026 - Palm Sunday (peak shopping before Greek Orthodox Easter/Pascha).
• July 19, 2026 - First Sunday of the summer sales season.
• November 29, 2026 - Post-Black Friday Sunday (biggest discounts of the year).
• December 13, 2026 - Start of the Christmas shopping season.
• December 20, 2026 - Last Sunday before Christmas Eve.
• December 27, 2026 - Final shopping Sunday of the year.

How New Laws (Law 5157/2024) Impact Shopping in Greece

The amendment of Article 16 of Law 4177/2013 has made Sunday shopping in Greece more traveler-friendly. Here are the key rules you need to know:

• Holiday Shifts: If a shopping Sunday falls on an official public holiday, the opening is automatically moved to the following Sunday.
• Sunday Opening Hours:
  • Shopping Malls & Department Stores (e.g., The Mall Athens, Attica, Golden Hall): Typically 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
  • Small Boutiques & Local Shops: May close earlier, around 6:00 PM.
  • Tourist Areas: Stores often operate with no restrictions throughout the high summer season.

FAQ - Shopping in Greece 2026 (Frequently Asked Questions)

Are stores in Greece open every Sunday?

No, typically most shops in Greece are closed on Sundays. Exceptions include:

• Tourist Zones: (e.g., Monastiraki and Plaka in Athens, Old Town Rhodes, Crete, or Corfu), where small souvenir shops and retail outlets operate 7 days a week.
• Mini-markets (Periptera): Kiosks and "convenience" style spots often stay open late.
• Designated Shopping Sundays: According to the 2026 calendar (see the list above).

When do the 2026 sales start in Greece?

Greece has two main annual sale seasons:

• Winter Sales 2026: From Monday, January 12 through the end of February. Stores are also open on Sundays, January 18 and 25.
• Summer Sales 2026: From Monday, July 6 through the end of August. The first shopping Sunday is July 19.

Are supermarkets in Greece open on shopping Sundays?

It depends on the specific chain. While department stores (like Attica) and fashion retailers are always open on these dates, supermarket policies vary:

• Lidl and AB Vassilopoulos: Often open select locations in major cities and tourist resorts.
• Sklavenitis: Usually remains closed even on shopping Sundays (except during the Christmas period).
• Hours: If a supermarket is open on Sunday, it typically operates from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM.