Handmade in Mykonos: Shopping for Artisan Crafts in the Heart of Chora
Mykonos Town—known locally as Chora—is a gleaming labyrinth of whitewashed houses, cobalt-blue shutters, and bougainvillea cascading over sunlit balconies. By day, Mykonos feels breezy and bright. Fishing boats sway gently near Little Venice, cafés spill onto stone-paved paths, and the island’s iconic windmills stand watch above the town.
As evening arrives, candlelight flickers, shop windows glow, and the same lanes transform into a sophisticated blend of island tradition and cosmopolitan energy.
Mykonos, Greece
Exploring Ancient Grecian Lanes
As you walk these ancient pathways, you’re tracing routes once used by fishermen returning from sea, traders carrying goods to market, and villagers heading to church. Over generations, these rhythms of island life shaped skilled metalworkers, leather artisans, ceramicists, and textile makers. Today, their crafts live on—refined, modernized, and infused with Greecian style. Shopping here isn’t rushed—it’s part of the Mykonos experience itself.
Mykonos Traditional Handcrafts
Jewelry: Aegean Glamour Meets Ancient Craft
Mykonos has long been a haven for jewelers, and the island’s designs reflect both its ancient roots and modern flair. Artisans reinterpret classical Greek motifs into contemporary pieces that feel meaningful. Delicate earrings inspired by Cycladic petals shimmer alongside bold Byzantine-style rings and hand-hammered gold cuffs. Many pieces are crafted in small workshops using gold, silver, and natural stones, each echoing the island’s light, sea, and mythology.
Textiles & Fashion: Island Ease, Handcrafted Style
Mykonos fashion is famously relaxed yet polished. Linen tunics, handwoven scarves, and embroidered kaftans move easily from sun-soaked beach walks to evening dinners under the stars. In quiet corners of Chora, women still work at looms, producing textiles dyed with indigo and earthy pigments. Nearby boutiques showcase modern interpretations of traditional patterns, blending old-world techniques with contemporary silhouettes.
Ceramics & Home Décor: Crafted in Clay and Color
Follow the subtle scent of clay and glaze and you’ll find ceramic studios tucked into shaded alleys. Here, artisans shape bowls, pitchers, and vases by hand, finishing them in Mediterranean blues, sun-washed yellows, and soft whites. Many pieces are painted with olive branches, wave motifs, or simple geometric designs—perfect reflections of island life.
Leather & Sandals: Following Footsteps
No visit to Greece feels complete without a pair of handmade leather sandals, and Mykonos is one of the best places to find them. Along the cobblestone lanes, artisans cut, stitch, and shape supple leather into sandals designed for both ancient pathways and modern travelers. Some workshops personalize sandals on the spot, offering strap variations or adding initials.
Art & Gallery Finds: Modern Eyes on Ancient Life
Beyond fashion and décor, Mykonos has a vibrant contemporary art scene. Between boutiques, galleries showcase painters, sculptors, and photographers who reinterpret island life, mythology, and the Aegean landscape through modern perspectives.
Artisan Shopping Areas
Matogianni Street & Side Alleys - Matogianni is the heartbeat of Chora, dense with jewelry studios, artisan boutiques, and design shops. While lively, it feels more creative than commercial. Step into the side alleys and you’ll often find small ateliers where artisans greet visitors personally and share the stories behind their work.
Mattogianni Street
Little Venice & Waterfront Lanes - Right at the water’s edge, Little Venice offers a slower, more intimate shopping experience. Ceramics glow in natural light, jewelry sparkles against the sea, and art captures the ever-changing colors of the harbor. Browsing here feels almost cinematic.
Little Venice
Ano Mera Village — Tradition Beyond the Spotlight - Just a short drive from Chora, Ano Mera offers a calmer, more local atmosphere. Around the monastery square and nearby lanes, family-run workshops and modest boutiques focus on traditional crafts and everyday artistry. It’s where Mykonos feels most rooted
Ano Mera Village
Noteworthy Artisan Shops in Mykonos Town
Mykonos Sandals – Founded in 1948, this iconic workshop remains faithful to traditional Greek sandal-making. Each pair is handcrafted using authentic leathers, with designs named after figures from Greek mythology such as Artemis, Poseidon, and Eros.
Misento Jewelry Workshop – Artisan Thanasis Misentos creates jewelry inspired by ancient Greek mythology and the natural beauty of the Aegean. Using gold, silver, mixed metals, and carefully chosen stones, his pieces feel organic, powerful, and deeply connected to place.
Eva Studio and Shop – Eva’s hand-painted ceramics and porcelain capture the spirit of Mykonos in everyday objects. Tableware and décor feature windmills, fishing boats, and seaside cafés—functional pieces infused with island charm.
Triciclo Art Shop – This quaint gallery and boutique presents a curated collection of original paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and decorative objects. Each item is handcrafted by local Greek artists, often accompanied by the story of its creator, emphasizing the link between Greek tradition and contemporary art.
Midas Traditional Products - This delightful gourmet boutique offers exquisite Greek products including olives, oils, honey, ouzo, spices, herbs, wines, liqueurs, and more. Everything can be packaged for taking home to your own kitchen.
Bringing Mykonos Home
The most meaningful Mykonos souvenirs aren’t confined to a single street—they’re found in the harmony of history, sea, and skilled hands. A pair of sandals shaped from island leather, a ceramic bowl painted by hand, or a necklace echoing ancient Greek design carries far more than style; it carries place, tradition, and memory.
Look beyond the busiest paths and into shaded side lanes, where many ateliers quietly reward curious travelers. If your suitcase feels heavier as you head back to the pier, it’s likely filled with pieces that tell a real story—and those are the treasures that keep Mykonos close long after the journey ends.
Sun Princess in Mykonos
Love the artisan items featured here but can’t make the trip? Visit our SHOP page to discover similar Things handcrafted by artisans – delivered straight to your door!
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Coming up….we’ll end our journey in the historic empire of Athens, where we’ll visit ancient ruins while shopping for handcrafted Things made by talented artists and makers.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!