Ouzo/ Metaxa in Greece: cheaper in supermarkets or at duty free?

[Aridane]

Does anyone know? I’ll be bringing some back for friends and family and was wondering whether to buy in the supermarket and carefully pack in main luggage for hold or buy after Security and take in hand luggage

From memory, i think the supermarkets tend to be cheaper than the airport.

Thank you - I thought that might be the case given experience in other overseas airport shopping (albeit not for alcohol)

Actually, thinking about it now, I don't think you can compare like for like as they supermarkets and airports do different sizes.

If I'm buying for friends/family, I'd buy from the supermarket as you can often get smaller sizes, which although will be more expensive per ml than the bigger bottles, will mean your overall spend will be less.

Also, you will be supporting the local economy, which I assume would be hit hard from the decrease in tourism.

That’s a good point as I don’t necessarily want to buy full size litre bottles / 750 ml but gifts for a number of people who have a liking for ouzo and metaxa (or buy cutesy gift packs). Plus I guess it’s possible the duty free / shops at airports in Greece may not be open (though they were in Gatwick)

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I’d say supermarket purely because you’ll have a better range to choose from.

Lovely range in the shops - have done all my purchases in various shops. Quite nice to have it alll sorted and to be able to pack away and not have to faff at Rhodes airport with shopping and then carrying heavy clinking bottles in hand luggage and worrying about them breaking in the overhead luggage bins

Recently been to Greece - we got alcohol in the supermarkets. Glad we didn’t wait until duty free as it was closed.

Thanks, @voxnihili - I had wondered about that.

I am so glad to have gone to Greece (am still here!) - hands away The best decision I’ve made this year

I love Rhodes, it's my favourite Greek Island.

I can see why!

Totally depends which airport too. Island airports tend to have a very small and limited selection of duty free. The local supermarket type shops will have a nice, standard range. If you can get into the main town there will be little independents selling a larger range, something that would be a bit more unique. A lot of the tavernas sell too if you ask.
I wouldnt buy from the airport unless in a pinch

Well, left Rhodes today. Whilst duty free was open, it’s focus was on standard spirits etc although there was some ouzo and metaXa (some choice, not much, and only large litre bottles. So all in, a better choice to buy before airport - thanks for the advice.

PS There was an extraordinary variety of olive oils on sale in departure, including huge tins of olive oil!