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Melissinos Art – The Poet Sandal Maker of Athens

Greece › Athens › Best Shops & Galleries › Poet Sandalmaker
By Santorini Dave

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Interior of a small shop crammed with leather bags and sandals, and colorful art

Best Athens Tours and Tickets:
• Athens Pass Combo Ticket (7 archaeological sites + Acropolis Museum.)
• Original Athens Gourmet Food Tour
• Athens City Highlights Private Tour
• Athens Street Art Tour

The Poet Sandalmaker Hours and Information

  • Hours: Monday 12pm-5pm. Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm. Closed Sunday.
  • Website: melissinos-art.com
  • Location: Tzireon 16
  • Telephone: +30 210 321 9247 or 210 924 0857
  • Email: info@melissinos-art.com
  • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
  • Nearest Metro: Acropoli (Line 2)

The Poet Sandalmaker of Athens

This cozy and colorful shop just east of the Acropolis Museum is owned by the charming Renaissance man, Pantelis Melissinos; gifted 3rd-generation leather sandal-maker, artist, musician, and, like his father before him, poet and playwright.

The historic family business was first established in 1920 by Georgios Melissinos, and located on 89 Pandrossou Street, at the foot of the Acropolis next to the Ancient Agora of Athens. In 1955, Giorgios passed the shop down to his son Stavros, who created a fashion sensation with his ancient Greek-style sandal – catering to such famous customers such as Sophia Loren, Jackie Onassis, The Beatles, Maria Callas, Anthony Quinn, Jeremy Irons, and Barbara Streisand. Stavros is Athens’ original poet-sandal maker; many of his poems and plays sit in respected libraries in Greece and abroad.

Since 2004, the shop has moved locations, and Stavros’ son, Pantelis Melissinos, carries on the family tradition of sandal making, having inherited not only his father’s fine craftsmanship, but also his creativity. He is an accomplished painter, poet, and playwright. Pantelis’ shop has catered to a celebrity clientele that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Lily Tomlin, Bob Saget, Jill Biden, and Mick Jagger.

Sandals and a large variety of purses and bags are all handmade here by Pantelis and his apprentices with genuine leather from the island of Crete. Women’s, men’s and children’s sandal styles are available; special orders for feet with specific requirements can be accommodated. Custom-made sandals can take a few days depending on the style, but in-stock sandals are adjusted to fit on-site. Pantelis offers no shipping and no online shopping, though there is an online brochure you can look through to get an idea of the sandal you want before you go in.

Due to the shop’s fame and the custom nature of its offerings, it can get a little busy, but it’s fun to while away the time in the shop’s eclectic waiting area, perusing Pantelis’ artworks, being entertained by his dog Poy-Poy, and meeting fellow travelers who have also come to see the famous poet-sandal maker of Athens.

Located in the historical neighborhood of Makriyanni, 170 meters east of the Acropolis Museum, and approximately 1km from Monastiraki and Syntagma squares.

Exterior of a leather sandal shop, with newspaper articles displayed in the windows

Melissinos Art – The Poet Sandalmaker of Athens’ shop is located in the Makriyanni neighborhood, just east of the Acropolis Museum and across from the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

A man consults with customers inside a shop hung with leather sandals and purses.

The shop’s owner, Pantelis Melissinos, is a 3rd-generation leather sandal-maker, having inherited his shop from his father and grandfather before him.

A man sits on the floor and measures another man's foot inside a shop.

Customers can have in-stock sandals hand-fitted at the shop, or be measured for custom sandals made to order. Measurements are taken on site.

Printed page showing leather sandal styles available for purchase.

There are many styles available to choose from.

A man sits on the floor and cuts out a template for the sole of a leather sandal.

Pantelis Melissinos at work.

A man sits on the floor and measures another man's foot against a sandal sole template

Two men create leather sandals in a shop

Pantelis and his apprentices hand-craft each sandal in the shop.

Two men sit and create leather sandals in a crowded shop.

A crowded shop hung with leather sandals and purses, with a sandalmaker working in the back

A man helps a woman reach a leather purse hung from the ceiling

A wide variety of leather purses and bags are also in stock and ready to purchase.

Customers wait in a busy sandal shop

The shop can be busy, but there’s plenty to look at while you wait.

A woman and a small white dog sit on chairs in a sandal shop.

And Pantelis’ dog Poy-Poy helps to entertain the customers.

Leather sandals spill out from a large terracotta vase

Leather bags hung in a shop display

A framed black and white photo of Jackie O talking with a sandalmaker

Evidence of the shop’s famous clientele is displayed throughout the shop.

Framed photo of Jill Biden with a sandalmaker

Workbench strewn with shoemaking tools

Shop corner filled with leather purses and colorful art

And Pentelis’ vibrant artwork is everywhere you look.

Crowded and colorful sandal shop, hung with leather goods and vibrant artwork

Open Monday 12pm-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm; closed Sundays.

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I’m Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a quick guide on visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my small team and I provide guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece - as well as favorite places to stay in some of my favorite cities - like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Florence. Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.