Shopping

If you're interested in fine jewelry, keep in mind that many prices in Fira are higher than in Athens, but the selection here is fantastic. Santorini's best-known jeweler is probably Kostas Antoniou (tel. 22860/22-633), on Ayiou Ioannou north of the cable-car station. Porphyra (tel. 22860/22-981), in the Fabrica Shopping Center near the cathedral, has impressive work. As signaled by its name, The Bead Shop (tel. 22860/25-176), by the Archaeological Museum, sells beads. What makes them special is that most are carved from island lava. And there are plenty of shops between the two. Generally, the farther north you go, the higher the prices and the less certain the quality. In Firostephani, Cava Sigalas Argiris (tel. 22860/22-802) stocks all the local wines, including their own. Also for sale are locally grown and prepared foods, often served as mezedes: fava, a spread made with chickpeas; tomatahia, small pickled tomatoes; and kapari (capers). The main street in Oia, facing the caldera, has many interesting stores, several with prints showing local scenes, in addition to the inevitable souvenir shops. Replica (tel. 22860/71-916) is a source of contemporary statuary and pottery as well as museum replicas; it will ship purchases to your home at post office rates. Farther south on the main street is Nakis (tel. 22860/71-813), which specializes in amber jewelry and, not surprisingly, has a collection of insects in amber.