Ouzo and Metaxa after security in T1
In Santorini’s tiny T1 departure area, Hellenic Duty Free Shops is one of the few spots where you can still grab Greek spirits, olive‑oil gifts, and cosmetics after security. The shop sits in the main airside hall near the gates, so you’ll walk past it on the way to boarding. Size is small by Greek-hub standards, but shelving leans hard into ouzo, tsipouro, Metaxa, and travel‑size skincare. If you hate carrying bottles around Fira or Oia, this is your last stop on the island.
Stock centers on Greek alcohol and compact gifts: ouzo, Metaxa promotions when running (occasionally 2‑for‑X‑euros), local‑style olive oils, basic sweets, and the usual perfumes and tobacco. Several reviewers say alcohol prices line up with or beat Fira liquor-shop tags, but snacks and souvenirs can run higher than Santorini supermarkets. Think “good enough” if your flight boards in 30–40 minutes and you still need something that looks local.
Regulars buy most ceramics and bulky souvenirs in town, then use JTR’s Hellenic Duty Free mainly for spirits and small olive‑oil or cosmetic sets that slide into a cabin bag. Forum posters often pull out their phone and compare a bottle of Metaxa here against Athens duty free or mainland prices, then only commit when the gap is minor or they just forgot to buy earlier. Expect a tighter range than Athens or Thessaloniki, but better Greek liquor coverage than the terminal size suggests.
Watch out for higher markups on basic candies and generic souvenirs compared with local supermarkets in Kamari or Fira, plus the classic peak‑season crowding when several flights depart within a 60‑minute window. Shelves can be picked over late in the evening. One practical move: snap photos of prices in town earlier in your trip and use them as a quick reference before you tap your card at the duty free till.