8 Best Shopping in The Cyclades, Greece

Katherina sells her masterful ceramics and Alexander sells his sensitive jewelry—all with fish or olive motifs. A couple of doors away is their impressive little art gallery.

The AK Art Gallery, in a converted flour mill, is the oldest on Santorini and was founded by internationally acclaimed artists Christoforos Asimis and his wife Eleni Kollaitou. He specializes in ethereal images from his home island of Santorini, and her work encompasses elegant jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics. Just outside town is the AK Art Foundation, an impressive space that houses exhibitions and cultural events. There is also a small sister gallery in Ia.

A visit to the whitewashed studio and gallery of award-winning sculptor, mosaicist, and portrait artist Angelika Vaxevanidou is a glimpse into the world of a successful, internationally commissioned artist. The longtime local artist and resident is recognized internationally for her impressive, sensitive, and emotional large-scale colored-pencil portraiture, and on display are works past and present. The studio is open year-round.

Draped in blue morning-glory vines, this gallery showcases jewelry by Greek craftsmen with bold ancient and Byzantine motifs, but the bulk of the shop is taken over by statuary and island-made marble pieces and other objet d'art. The crowded shop is a delight.

There's a Greek exuberance to the work of Yorgos Kypris, accentuated in his gallery on a bright, airy perch high above the caldera. In his striking sculptural creations in glass, clay, and other natural materials, seabirds flock and fish swirl in schools; some designs are also available as jewelry and bowls.

Objets d'art are made from highly polished semiprecious stones and glow with color and form. Pantelis and Nikola Kaloteraki can also create jewelry in the stone of your choice. Vases, sculptures, and many other distinctive pieces also fill the shop, which has been a presence in Santorini for more than a quarter of a century.

When he's not shooting for the acclaimed Greek film director Theodoros Angelopoulos, photographer Dimitris Gavalas is busy at his own gallery, which he decided to build in his father's hometown of Chalki. His work includes landscapes, panoramics, and conceptual photography.

Anglo-Australian expat artist Tim Elkington's small craft and art shop in the Old Town showcases Greek and other expat artists who are inspired by the beauty and culture of Greece. Elkington is a painter, but also sells traditional and modern pottery, cards, ceramics, drawings, jewelry, and clothing that have a connection to Greece.