Be a clever shopper in Santorini, look around and bargain

Santorini is definitely a shopper’s paradise. Besides the usual tourist junk, the island is full of one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries and interesting shops that sell local arts and crafts and things that you wont find in Athens.

Oia and Fira have several small boutiques with clothes by famous designers and there are plenty of gift shops that have original pieces, some made locally, that will enable you to return from Greece with something other than evil-eye keychains and Ouzo Power T-shirts.

One of the best gifts you can bring home with you is the Santorini wine, that your friends will definitely appreciate. Get a bottle or two and have a sip at your hotel or at the villa you are renting. A basic rule is to be prepared to bargain with shop owners.

There’s a general impression that only well-to-do tourists visit Santorini, and some merchants may price their products accordingly. Second, take your time about deciding what to get. There’s an abundance of Santorini shops with similar wares, so comparing windows and displays can come up with pleasant surprises.