Short days
Monday · Wednesday · Saturday
9am – 2:30/3pm · no afternoon reopening
Long days
Tuesday · Thursday · Friday
9am – 2pm, then 5:30 – 9pm
Turning up at 5pm on a Monday or Wednesday expecting everything to reopen. On those days, shops are closed in the afternoon.
Why hours vary from town to town
Contrary to popular belief, there is no longer a fixed legal Monday-to-Saturday timetable in Greece: the rules were deregulated. The “short days / long days” rhythm is therefore not a law but a convention of the local merchants' associations — hence the variations from one town, or even one neighbourhood, to another.
The memo above is a very reliable tendency, not an absolute guarantee: for a specific shop, it's best to check. Supermarkets, pharmacies, kiosks (periptera) and restaurants keep their own, often wider, hours.
Supermarkets: do your shopping on Saturday morning
The big chains — Sklavenitis, AB, Lidl, My Market — generally open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8 or 9pm, and Saturday until 6pm. On Sunday they're closed (bar the exceptions below). Hence the simple rule: do the bulk of your shopping on Saturday morning.
Worth knowing: the two Cretan chains, Chalkiadakis and SYNKA, are often the best for local products — olive oil, cheeses, honey, small-producer goods.
The open Sundays in 2026
The law designates a few Sundays a year on which shops may open. In 2026, eight national dates:
Two permanent exceptions also apply: independent shops under 250 m² may open every Sunday, and designated tourist zones open on Sundays from April to October. In practice, in the summer resorts, many shops stay open seven days a week.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a legal shop timetable in Greece?
No. The fixed Monday-to-Saturday timetable was deregulated: the “short days / long days” rhythm is now a voluntary convention of the merchants' associations, which is why it varies from town to town.
Are shops open in the afternoon in Crete?
It depends on the day. On short days (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) they close around 2:30-3pm and don't reopen. On long days (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) they reopen in the afternoon, generally from 5:30 to 9pm.
Are supermarkets open on Sunday in Crete?
Generally no: Sunday closing is the rule. Exceptions: small independent shops under 250 m² and designated tourist zones from April to October. The best plan is to shop on Saturday morning.
Which supermarkets are best for local Cretan products?
The two Cretan chains, Chalkiadakis and SYNKA, are often the best for olive oil, cheeses, honey and small-producer goods, alongside the national chains (Sklavenitis, AB, Lidl, My Market).
When do shops open on Sundays in 2026?
Eight national Sundays in 2026: 18 and 25 January, 5 April (Palm Sunday), 19 July, 29 November, and 13, 20 and 27 December.
Checked 16 August 2026. Actual hours vary by shop and town — verify locally for a specific address.