Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Market · Atenas, Ática
Mercado Central Varvakios (Varvakeios Agora)
Athens' municipal market since 1886, on Athinas street, with the fish pavilion in the middle, the butcher shops around it and the fruit and olive stalls on the other side of the street. Taverns that serve food all day.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Mercado Central Varvakios (Varvakeios Agora)
The Central Market (Varvakeios Agora, or Dimotiki Agora) is Athens' meat and fish market, operating since 1886 in an entire block of Athinas Street, halfway between Monastiraki and Omonia squares. The iron building with gabled roofs is named after Ioannis Varvakis, a Greek merchant who made his fortune in Russia and left money to the city. In the center is the fish pavilion, with stalls on ice and fishmongers shouting prices; around it, the butcher corridors, with carcasses of lamb and kid hanging. On the other side of Athinas Street are the fruit, vegetable and olive stalls, and the neighbouring streets, Evripidou and Sofokleous, concentrate spice, herb, cheese and cold‑cut shops.
It's a real market, not a tourist set‑piece: the floor is wet, the smells are strong and the activity starts at dawn. It operates Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. Inside the pavilion and on the surrounding streets there are traditional tavernas that serve all day, some all night, with meat and fish soups and daily dishes; they are known for welcoming people coming out of bars in the early hours.
Athinas Street continues to Kotzia square, with the city hall, and on to Omonia.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to an hour, including a walk along Evripidou and Sofokleous streets. More if you have lunch at the tavernas.
Best time
Weekday mornings, when the stalls are full and the crowd is mainly Athenians. Saturday morning is the busiest day. Closed on Sundays. On the eve of Orthodox Easter and Clean Monday (the start of Lent), the market is a city event.
How to get there
A 7‑minute walk from Monastiraki station (metro lines 1 and 3), walking up Athinas Street, or 5 minutes from Omonia station (lines 1 and 2), walking down. The main entrance is at Athinas 42, on the block between Sofokleous and Evripidou streets.
Tip
Stop by the spice shops on Evripidou Street, one block away, to buy oregano, mastic and honey. For lunch, the tavernas inside the market serve fish soup (kakavia) and simple dishes.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mercado Central Varvakios (Varvakeios Agora)
Does the market open on Sundays?
No. It operates Monday through Saturday, busy from early on; on Sundays it closes and the surrounding streets are empty.
Can you eat inside the market?
Yes. There are traditional tavernas inside the pavilion and on the surrounding streets, serving soups, meats and fish of the day; some stay open until the early hours. They're simple and frequented by Athenians.
What to take from the market to bring home?
Dry, packaged products: oregano and thyme in bunches, mastique from Quios, honey, vacuum-packed olives and spices from the shops on Evripidou street. Cheese and olive oil have customs and airline restrictions; check beforehand.