The festive season officially begins for shoppers in Athens and Piraeus as retail stores prepare to implement extended operating hours. Starting tomorrow, Thursday, December 11, 2025, a special holiday timetable will be in effect, providing residents and visitors with more opportunities to complete their Christmas and New Year’s shopping.
What You Need to Know About Holiday Shopping Hours
Local Commercial Associations in both Athens and Piraeus have issued recommended schedules, emphasizing that these hours are indicative and optional. This allows individual businesses the flexibility to adjust their operations based on their specific needs and customer demand. Retailers are also reminded to adhere to the legal framework governing store hours (Monday-Saturday, 6:00 am -9:00 pm, and Sunday, 11:00 am-8:00 pm) and to fulfill employer obligations regarding Sunday staffing.
General Overview of Extended Hours
- Weekdays: Most shops will operate with extended hours, typically until 9:00 pm.
- Saturdays: Generally, Saturdays will follow reduced hours in the afternoon.
- Sundays: During the festive period, stores will be open on specific Sundays with daytime schedules.
- Public Holidays: December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st are non-working days for retail.
- January 2nd: Most stores will remain closed.
Athens Festive Shopping Timetable
From tomorrow, Athens retailers will adopt the following holiday schedule:
| Date | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Dec. 11-12 | 9:00 am-9:00 pm |
| Saturday, Dec. 13 | 9:00 am-4:00 pm |
| Sunday, Dec. 14 | 11:00 am-4:00 pm |
| Dec. 15-19 | Varying between 9:00 am-4:00 pm and 9:00 am-9:00 pm |
| Saturday, Dec. 20 | 9:00 am-6:00 pm |
| Sunday, Dec. 21 | 11:00 am-6:00 pm |
| Dec. 22-23 | 9:00 am-9:00 pm |
| Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) | 9:00 am-6:00 pm |
| Dec. 27-28 | Saturday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Sunday: 11:00 am-6:00 pm |
| Dec. 29-30 | 9:00 am-9:00 pm |
| New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) | 9:00 am-6:00 pm |
Piraeus: Similar Extended Hours
Retailers in Piraeus will follow a comparable extended-hours schedule, with shops also opening tomorrow at 9:00 am and remaining open until 9:00 pm. The Piraeus Commercial Association’s recommendations similarly include longer weekday hours and open Sundays throughout the end of the year.
Important Information for Employees and Employers
Sunday Work Compensation
According to Greek law, employees working on Sundays are entitled to a 75% wage premium. If Sunday work does not exceed five hours, employers are not legally required to provide an additional rest day, but they must still pay the corresponding hourly wages with the mandatory 75% surcharge.
Shoppers are encouraged to check with individual stores for precise opening times, as the schedules provided are recommendations from the Commercial Associations.
Source: https://www.tovima.com/society/holiday-shopping-hours-begin-in-athens-and-piraeus/
