Must-see shopping in Eastern Europe

  • Kurazh Bazar

    Kyiv

    Kurazh Bazar is a fantastic monthly weekend flea market on Kyiv's left (east) bank. You'll find some 400 vendors selling all manner of new and used…

  • Lvivska Maysternya Shokoladu

    Lviv

    A chocoholic's dream, nothing quite prepares you for this branch of Lviv's most famous franchise export. Over several floors of a seemingly endlessly…

  • Makadam

    Belgrade

    Make your way to Makadam across the original Turkish cobblestones of Kosančićev venac, a lovely slice of old Belgrade. The concept store only sells…

  • Parfimerija Sava

    Belgrade

    With its old-fashioned interior, gorgeous vintage bottles and delectable scents wafting throughout, this traditional perfumery is a doorway into the…

  • Vsi. Svoi

    Kyiv

    The ‘biggest store selling Ukrainian brands in the world’ (as it markets itself) is strategically set on the central bul Khreshchatyk. Set over four…

  • 500px Photo ID: 133334391 - Basket weave, fine detail, macro

    Senųjų Amatų Dirbtuvės

    Vilnius

    The tools, materials, processes and final results of a whole range of traditional crafts – weaving, papermaking, bookbinding, leather-working,…

  • Lvivska Maysternya Pryanykiv

    Lviv

    This award-winning gingerbread shop is a must-see, even if you are on a sugar-free diet. The delicious tooth-rotters are decorated in everything from…

  • Bessarabsky Rynok

    Kyiv

    Kyiv's beautiful, light-filled, central market, built in 1910–12 for traders coming to Kyiv from Bessarabia, is not to be missed. The arrangements of…

  • View of KAWA front

    Kawa

    Dubrovnik

    Selling 'wonderful items made by Croatians', this very cool design store sells everything from wines and craft beers to jewellery, clothing, homewares and…

  • Transylvania

    Moscow

    From the courtyard, look for the black metal door that leads down into this dungeon of a shop, which houses room after room of CDs, in every genre…

  • Kupetz Eliseevs

    St Petersburg

    This Style Moderne stunner is St Petersburg's most elegant grocery store, selling plenty of branded goods from tea blends to caviar and handmade…

  • Atelier Marta Pejoska

    Ohrid

    Ohrid-born Marta trained as an architect and decided to dedicate herself to the traditional Macedonian craft of filigree – silver thread weaving that has…

  • Udelnaya Fair

    St Petersburg

    This treasure trove of Soviet ephemera, pre-revolutionary antiques, WWII artefacts and bonkers kitsch from all eras is truly worth travelling for. Exit…

  • Arts & Crafts

    Sighişoara

    Inside Casa Vlad Dracul, this wondrous handicraft shop is the brainchild of self-styled 'Spoonman' Mark Tudose, who employs traditional woodcarving…

  • Sirana Gligora

    Pag Island

    Pag's most award-winning cheese producer has a wonderful shop where you can taste many of the cheeses before you buy; there are dozens to choose from and…

  • Destilerija Aura

    Central & Eastern Istria

    Occupying the extensive cellars of the elegant 1907-built Narodni Dom (People's House), this Aladdin's cave is filled with glistening bottles, hip flasks…

  • Amatų Gildija

    Vilnius

    Dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional techniques of ceramics, Amatų Gildija is a hive of industry and beautiful handicrafts. It's an open…

  • Amber Queen

    Klaipėda

    Did you know that Colombian amber comes in emerald, ruby or even deep blue colours? This part-museum, part-jewellery shop has a remarkable range of items,…

  • Monozero

    Skopje

    A brilliant local carpentry enterprise, Monozero makes everything out of solid wood sourced from responsibly harvested forests. Each object is handmade…

  • Samovodska Charshiya

    Veliko Târnovo

    Veliko Târnovo's historic quarter is a true centre of craftsmanship, with genuine blacksmiths, potters and cutlers, among other artisans, still practising…

  • Amber Cat

    Lithuania

    An excellent choice of amber pieces made by Lithuanian master craftspeople. There's something for every price range, from small earrings in a variety of…

  • Ali Šokoladinė

    Kaunas

    Imagine a pistachio or salted-caramel eclair so picture-perfect that you're loath to take a first bite, plus macarons in every imaginable colour and…

  • Terra Recognita

    Vilnius

    Artist and designer Saulius Vaitiekūnas has been making striking, unusual jewellery from Baltic stone for many years and there's a great deal of symbolism…

  • Natura Zara

    Zadar

    This gorgeous little shop, tucked away on a quiet old-city street, sells high-quality Croatian wines, olive oils, honeys, truffles and liqueurs, all from…

  • AurA

    Krk Island

    This excellent little shop in the old town sells local wines, grappa, olive oils and truffles, as well as its homemade brandy and jams. Everything has an…

  • Jonas Bugailiškis

    Vilnius

    Lithuanian artist Bugailiškis turns out all manner of weird and beautiful things from his woodwork workshop: sculptures, ornate crosses and even musical…

  • Paška Sirana

    Rijeka

    Shopping for a picnic? This fine little shop sells all manner of Croatian cheeses and you can usually try some before you buy.

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    Belgrade Design District

    Belgrade

    Once Belgrade's first mall and later abandoned, this revitalised complex is now home to more than 30 boutiques showcasing up-and-coming local fashionistas…

  • Bombondžija Bosiljčić

    Belgrade

    Literally the last of its kind, this family-owned store is the only remaining one in Belgrade selling handmade sweets. The Bosiljčić family has kept the…

  • Yugovinyl

    Belgrade

    Crate-diggers will find plenty to paw through at Yugovinyl, hailed as one of the best record stores in Europe. It's got about 20,000 records in about as…

  • Kalenić Market

    Belgrade

    In the heart of the refined Vračar neighbourhood, near the Sveti Sava Temple, this bustling green market with produce brought from all over Serbia is…

  • Yekaterina

    Moscow

    One of Russia’s oldest furriers, this place has been manufacturing shapky (fur hats) and shuby (fur coats) since 1912. While Yekaterina has always…

  • Au Pont Rouge

    St Petersburg

    Dating from 1906–7, the one-time Esders and Scheefhaals department store has been beautifully restored and is one of the most glamorous places to shop in…

  • Artmuza

    St Petersburg

    This is one of the city's largest 'creative clusters' with around 13,000 sq metres of space over several floors hosting a variety of art galleries,…

  • Jane Doe Concept Store

    Belgrade

    The newest edition from Jane Doe – real name Bojana! – expands from the vintage realm of the Kapetan Mišina shop to include designer jewelry, clothing and…

  • Etno-Halereya

    Lviv

    If you are in the market for some traditional Ukrainian folk costume and have rather a large budget, this vintage emporium sells the real thing with…

  • Dechkotzar Clothing Co.

    Belgrade

    The domain of hipster graphic artists, this small boutique does the city's best designer T-shirts, trucker hats, canvas bags, art prints and other design…

  • Exterior of GUM department store.

    GUM

    Moscow

    Behind its elaborate 240m-long facade on the northeastern side of Red Square, GUM is a bright, bustling shopping mall with hundreds of fancy stores and…

  • Laska

    Kyiv

    Laska is a charity shop that sells both secondhand items and new clothing by Ukrainian designers. There are lovely notebooks, leather wallets and purses,…

  • Yeliseev Grocery

    Moscow

    Peek in here for a glimpse of pre-revolutionary grandeur, as the store is set in the former mansion of the successful merchant Yeliseev. It now houses an…