Heraklion is the best shopping destination in Crete. Shopping tours to Heraklion for fur coats and local handicrafts (especially jewelry and textiles) are very popular. Most of the stores are concentrated in the center of Heraklion.
The largest shopping center of Heraklion is Talos Plasa, which is located on the beach in the north-western part of the city. Here you can find dozens of clothing and cosmetics stores, jewelry and souvenir stores, cafes, restaurants, as well as a modern cinema with 8 halls. The center is open from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 22:30, from Friday to Sunday - from 9:00 to 24:00.
Branded clothing in Heraklion is sold on Daedalou Street in the boutiques of Bershka, Wenetton, Zara, Lacoste, Levi's, Marks & Spencer, Mango, MEXX and others. You can also check out the chain multi-brand department store Fokas (BSB, Calvin Klein, Coolwаy, Diesеl, Guess, Miss Sixty, Timbеrland, things from Greek manufacturers). Shopping in Heraklion, according to reviews, is impossible without buying branded leather goods (belts, bags, jackets), as well as products of the shoe company Boxer.
Especially for tourists from countries with cold climate, fur coats are imported from Kastoria. Unfortunately, recently there have been more cases of selling Chinese fur coats (inferior in quality) under the guise of Greek ones. To avoid fakes, it is better to store in chain stores such as Cemelly, Diamоnd Furs, Luxuriоus Furs or Sаrigiannis.
It is better to buy Greek cosmetics based on olive oil not in shopping malls in Heraklion, but in pharmacies in the city or specialized stores, for example, in Hondos center (a little more expensive, but high quality is guaranteed). By the way, sellers in Heraklion prefer cash payment.
For souvenirs it's better to go to 1866 Street (where the central market is also located). As there are no outlet stores in Heraklion, the open street markets - laiki agora - are very popular. These are mobile food, clothing and flea markets whose opening hours are posted at bus stops.
There you can buy olive oil, Cretan honey, spices, cheese, fish, wine, ceramics, lace, lambskin plaids, bags, jewelry, silver jewelry, and lots of other things. At the markets you can bargain: don't rush to get your money, "hesitate", don't agree to the first offer, wait for a 30-50% discount.
