Any suggestions on a supermarket or grocery store in walking distance (or metro) from Hotel Plaka in Athens? I saw the Central Market in Rick's book, but not sure this will meet our needs. In addition to food, we'll be looking for items like laundry soap, napkins, paper plates, etc. Unfortunately, we don't speak any Greek. Other than visually recognizing items, does anyone know if Greek grocery stores ever carry items with labels in other languages? Thanks!
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
All along Athinas Street, near where the Central Market is located, you'll find shops selling anything you could need. Athinas Street begins next to the Monastiraki Metro Station, which is very close to the Hotel Plaka.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Actually the VERY closest market to Hotel Plaka is just down Metropolis St. Across from the Metropolis (church) is HOTEL MEtropolis, and directly BEHIND hotel is a little alley-type lane with a Very useful Grocery with all the items you need -- plus lots of good stuff like fresh fruit, deli meats & cheeses, wines & beverages & snacks for picnics. It's open at 7 AM, closes around 7 PM. And of course everyone speaks English! (FYI, today, English instruction in school begins at age 5 or 6; eveyone under 40 is reasonably fluent, certainly in Athens). And YES, stores carry items from all over Europe, and some US things.. many many labels are in multiple languages, you will have NO problems identifying products.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1419 posts
Barbara
If you want to get everything in one go at a large supermarket your best bet is to get the metro to Petralona. This is two stops down from Monastiraki heading towards Piraeus. Get off the metro and continue on the path along the same side of the track for two minutes and there is a large supermarket on your right. The street name is Athinodorou. The supermarket is on two floors and a lot of things like soap powder are on the upper floor. I don't think you'll have any trouble recognising what you want.
Alan
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Just wanted to add -- the handy market I recommended, behind Hotel Metropolis -- is NOT a dinky little shop. It is very good size, with about 6 long isles, and a number of employees. In Greek terms it is a super-market... and u can walk there in 2 minutes from your hotel.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
151 posts
Thank you all very much for your replies. This is a huge help and I really appreciate it. Now we even have options! And, I'll stop worrying as much about my lack of Greek language skills.