Santorini is home to an overwhelming amount of gift shops and boutiques. It's easy to get sidetracked and spend hours roaming through the shops on the island. And that's not a bad way to spend your time at all! However, there are two types of stores in Oia: tacky gift shops (which are plentiful) and original, ornate stores that each have their own vibes and sell beautiful work. If you're crunched for time and hate tacky souvenirs, you need to check out these unique stores in Oia.
Walking into Atlantis Bookstore feels more like being welcomed into a cozy library in someone’s home.
Like a large fraction of the stores in Oia, two of these are jewelry shops, but each have unique twists to them. The third store is a bookstore, but it is truly something you can't miss.
Kostas is more than just a jewelry store – food dishes and decorations are sold as well.
Kostas is located at the top of the main mountain in Oia. After watching the incredible sunset from the west coast of Santorini, just take a step inside and you'll be welcomed into the earthy, yet sophisticated shop. You will be drawn in by the shining gemstone necklaces and hand-painted decorations.
Necklaces, earrings and rings are sold featuring an array of colored gemstones. All of the jewelry is made in Santorini.
The prices in Kostas aren't cheap, but they're not too far out of budget either. A gemstone necklace with a gold chain sells for 55 euro. More generic necklaces with popular Greek images (evil eye, tree of life, etc.) sell for around 20 euro.
All of the scarves in σουσαγι ανοίξει (Open Sesame) are imported from Athens.
Walking through the streets of Oia, you may notice that a lot of jewelry stores look similar. However, the rainbow of colors that radiate from σουσαγι ανοίξει, or "Open Sesame", a handmade silk and jewelry shop, will easily ignite your curiosity and draw you in.
All of the jewelry in Open Sesame is made by the shop's owner, Eduart. He has been making jewelry for as long as he can remember.
If you're tired of jewelry and accessories, there is one store in Oia that beats all the rest. This bookstore is the first only one of its kind on the island. If you skip all other stores in this town, at least go to Atlantis Books.
University of Florida student Taylor Cavaliere scans hundreds of titles in Atlantis Books.
The reason you have to arrive in Santorini already knowing about this store is because it's actually a little hard to find. You may walk past this bookstore thinking it's a restaurant or even someone's home. Take a winding staircase down into the most magical shop you may ever visit.
You may feel like you've been transported to another country or time period when you enter Atlantis Books.
With sections on Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Drama, Children's Books, Greek History, Culture, Travel and Cookery, even someone who isn't fond of reading will feel the need to buy a book from this magical place. The store makes an excellent gift shop, too, if you want to bring back souvenirs for friends and family.
Two men from the U.S. and England opened the bookshop in 2002 when they came to Santorini and noticed there were no bookstores on the island. The rest of their story can be found painted on a timeline on their wall - but you'll have to find out the rest by visiting!
Experience the most romantic, cozy bookstore on earth: Atlantis Books.
