Shopping in Spetses Island - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

You can bring a craft in the form of the ship from Spetses. Locals are very proud of the victory in the battle of 1822, so all the types of naval souvenirs are popular here. You can also pay your attention to a truly Greek souvenir, matopetra. Locals believe that this souvenir protects from the evil eye. Even if you are not a superstitious person, matopetra deserves your attention because it is just a nice accessory.

Many tourists prefer to buy komboloi, the local variant of beads. It is not a cult object, komboloi show the social status of people and are used for concentration. They can be made of wood or precious stones. A lot of tourists bring paintings from Spetses. Artists from all over the world come here to get inspiration and capture picturesque views. Beginners and masters sell their works, so you can buy a masterpiece at a low price.

There are many churches on Spetses and almost all of the locals are orthodox Christians. A great number of religious items is sold here. You can buy different icons here: from simple patterns to carved images with a framework made of precious metals. You should know that these icons don’t have any cultural value. Local laces and embroidered napkins, towels and tablecloths are popular among tourists. Greek furiers and jewellers produce high quality products. Many jewellery is made in a unique Byzantine technique which is used only in Greece. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Olive oil is a traditional Greek souvenir which can be useful for everyone. You will hardly find a Greek house without a couple of olive oil bottles. There are souvenir packages in the shape of amphorae or famous Greek characters. The best one is cold pressed oil with low acidity level. However, if you are not looking for a beautiful package, you can buy a 1-litre plastic bottle or 3 or 5-litre jerrycans. If you have decided to buy olive oil in a tin package, it is better to pour it into a plastic bottle, otherwise, the taste of the product will be spoiled.

Olives are not only used in oil production. Local markets are full of fresh inexpensive olives. They are of the same quality but have different taste. Just try them all during your holidays and choose what you like most. Moreover, fresh olives have a long shelf life and you can easily carry them home. Tinned olives with different toppings can be found in local supermarkets. Local coffee can be also found here. Greeks love coffee, so you will definitely buy high quality coffee here and you can also buy a coffee machine or a cezve. Be sure to find local retsina in the fridges of the supermarkets and explore shelves with local wine. Anise vodka ouzo, grape vodka grappa and cognac metaxa are also popular hard drinks on Spetses. If you want to bring sweets, pay your attention to nougat, lokum or baklava.

Natural cosmetics have become popular in Greece in recent years. These cosmetic products are usually based on olive oil. Soap is the most popular product here. Natural soap can be found with different smells: from mint to cinnamon or coffee. Handmade soap in the souvenir package is a good gift for your friend. Conditioners, creams, shampoos and scrubs are sold here too. But you should better buy them in pharmacies or specialized shops, local markets can offer low-quality products with strange composition.