1L ouzo and Metaxa are the main reason to stop here
Right after security in T1 departures, Hellenic Duty Free Shops is small and basic, aimed squarely at package flights back to the UK and Europe. Think booze and cigarettes first, everything else second. Expect mostly 1L bottles of ouzo and Metaxa, plus standard Scotch and vodka, stacked near the entrance. Size-wise, it feels more like a large kiosk than a full airport mall store.
Spirits pricing runs a bit under UK duty free for common brands, with some ouzo/Metaxa 1L bottles only a few euros more than Kos supermarkets but still cheaper than UK arrivals. Regulars use it as a safety net if they forgot to buy in town. Before you grab a bottle, quickly check your usual brand against UK supermarket deals on your phone; if you’re not saving at least about £5, most frequent visitors say they just walk on.
Tobacco is the other reason people bother. Multipacks of Marlboro and L&M sleeves typically undercut Kos resort tobacconists by roughly €3–5 per sleeve, but the range sticks to big names. If you smoke something niche, don’t expect to find it here. Stock can thin out on busy Saturday changeovers, so earlier flights see better shelves than late-afternoon departures.
Perfume and sweets get the worst reviews: several UK travellers say many gift packs and chocolate boxes cost more than at UK airports. Local products are weak too; you’ll see token olive oil, honey, and sweets at tourist markups compared with town shops. The space itself is cramped and can feel picked-over, with half-empty shelves reported on peak charter days. One quick pass is usually enough.
- Tip: Buy olive oil and edible gifts in Kos town; use this place only for 1L spirits and tobacco that beat your home-country prices.