Handmade Greek Leather Sandals (poet-sandal tradition)

A living Athens craft: custom-fitted leather sandals for the price of a mass-market pair — US boutiques charge $150+ for the same look off the rack.

Price: 55 EUR (Typical made-to-measure pair at Athens workshops; simple styles from ~€40, elaborate/bespoke designs €80-150 — best knowledge, workshops don't publish prices online)

Where to buy: Melissinos Art (Tzireon St, near Acropolis), Olgianna Melissinos (Monastiraki), small Plaka/Pandrossou St workshops — fitted to your foot while you wait

Price checked 2026-07-03

• The Melissinos family has made sandals since 1920 — the 'Poet Sandal Maker' shod the Beatles, Sophia Loren and Jackie O
• Fitted and adjusted to your foot in ~20 minutes; genuine veg-tanned leather that molds with wear
• Small workshops are cash-friendly and rarely do tax-free paperwork; prices have crept up — simplest styles still ~€40-60