Schöneberg
Continental Europe's largest department store is a temple to retail and gourmet food.
Must-see shopping in Central Europe
Budapest
Completed in 1897, this is Budapest's biggest market, though it has become a tourist magnet since its renovation for the millecentenary celebrations in…
Styria
A wonderful place to stock up on picnic supplies, self-catering needs or take-home gourmet gifts, Heimatgold champions the products of local farmers, from…
Budapest
One of the biggest flea markets in Central Europe, Ecseri sells everything from antique jewellery and Soviet army watches to Fred Astaire–style top hats.
Historic Mitte
Follow your nose to this scent-sational made-in-Berlin perfume boutique, where a 'scent test' reveals if you're the floral, fruity, woody, or oriental type…
Neukölln
At this lively canal-side market, thrifty kids mix it up with Turkish-Germans and pram-pushing mums. Stock up on olives, creamy cheese spreads, crusty…
Kraków
Highly atmospheric book emporium selling English-language fiction and nonfiction, both new and secondhand. There’s a cafe area with loads of character,…
Budapest
‘Death by chocolate’ has arrived in Budapest by way of Gyula, a city in Hungary’s southeast where the delectable handmade filled bonbons sold here are…
Budapest
Still top of the pops for English-language bookshops in Budapest, with fiction, travel guides and lots of Hungarica, as well as a large selection of…
Kraków
As the name implies, this is more than a shop, it's a celebration of all things amber. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's certainly worth a…
Kraków
The eye-catching creations of designer Grzegorz Błażko are on display in this small gallery and workshop, including his unique range of chequered enamel…
Budapest
This tiny shop just off Váci utca sells some of the finest locally made paper and paper goods in Budapest, including leather-bound notebooks, photo albums…
Vienna
Reached by a beautifully ornate wrought-iron staircase, this is one of Vienna’s most lavish retail experiences. The collection of Biedermeier pieces, Loos…
Interlaken
Run by two passionate chocoholics, Tatiana and Vladimir, the Funky Chocolate is a shop brimming with fair-trade and organic chocolate (vegan, dairy, nut…
Vienna
Some 5000 bee colonies and 600 beekeepers harvest honey within Vienna's city limits, including on the rooftops of the Rathaus, Staatsoper,…
Vienna
One of the best flea markets in Europe, this Vienna institution adjoining the Naschmarkt's southwestern end brims with antiques and Altwaren (old wares)…
Vienna
Vienna’s most prestigious providore brims with quality foodstuffs from around the world (over 17,000 products in all). Chocolate and confectionery…
Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg’s first concept store opened in an old backyard locksmith shop off gritty Oranienstrasse, stocking style-forward designer threads and…
Lübeck
This is Lübeck’s mecca for marzipan lovers, the almond confectionery from Arabia that has been made locally for centuries. Even if you’re not buying, the…
Linz
An apricot-coloured former salt warehouse now houses this spectacular gourmet emporium selling all-Austrian products from small producers. Browse for…
Warsaw
To say that Tebe sells traditional Polish gingerbread does it a disservice. The edible and decorative pieces created here by Teresa Bilska are mini works…
Prague
This rather unpromising, industrial corner in a forgotten Smíchov neighbourhood holds arguably the city's best Italian market, with all manner of breads,…
Vienna
Founded in Germany in 1880, Steiff is widely regarded as the original creator of the teddy bear, which it presented at the 1902 Leipzig Toy Fair: an…
Munich
Munich's premier outdoors and travel stockist is worth a browse even if you've never pulled on a pair of hiking boots. The basement boasts a lake for…
Carpathian Mountains
Dedication to Polish bread-craft comes no more sincere than at this little wooden-shuttered bakery under an arcade on the Rynek. Antique equipment, wood…
Warsaw
This sprawling antiques and bric-a-brac market is well worth the trip to the western suburb of Koło. Vendors sell everything from chandeliers, furniture…
Moselle Valley
Barrels are suspended from the ceiling at this ultra-contemporary Vinothek. Taste and buy exceptional wines made from grapes grown on the hillside behind…
Neuchâtel
This third-generation chocolate maker, in the biz since 1919, creates dozens of different chocolates, including les éclats (Sfr9.80 per 100g) – square…
Hamburg
Original prints and postcards, many of which are pop-art originals and signed by the artist, Nina Hasselluhn herself, are worth browsing through at this…
Historic Mitte
It’s easy to lose track of time in this cultural playground with wall-to-wall books (including an extensive English section), DVDs and CDs, leaving no…
Vienna
Some of the world's finest chefs use the oils and vinegars from this cornerstone of the Naschmarkt. At his Vienna distillery, Erwin Gegenbauer makes over…
Warsaw
Worth a visit as much for its quirky interior design as its products, this fashion brand started in Łódź in 2009. The inspiration for some of its prints…
Munich
With Germany's biggest collection of secondhand English-language titles, the Readery is the place to go in Bavaria for holiday reading matter. In fact we…
Zürich
The Freitag brothers recycle colourful truck tarps into water-resistant messenger bags in their factory. Every item, from purses to laptop bags, is…
Malá Strana
Though its shelves groan with a formidable range of literature in English, French and German, this is more than just a bookshop (with Prague's best range…
Budapest
This hole-in-the-wall shop is the place to go if you have the urge for something sweet; its nut-and-honey cookies (280Ft per 100g) are to die for. A…
City West & Charlottenburg
Long before sustainable became a buzzword, this shop (the brainchild of a German Green Party member) stocked traditionally made quality products from…
Kreuzberg
IKEA fans with a mod penchant will go ga-ga at this pretty pad packed with stylish whimsies for the home. Even day-to-day items get a zany twist in this…
Frankfurt am Main
Exquisite handcrafted souvenirs at this long-established shop include traditional toy-soldier nutcrackers, adorable 'smokers' (incense burners) depicting…
Budapest
There are three reasons why you should visit this shop: (1) it is Budapest's finest perfumery and even does a Tokaji Aszú scent; (2) it is housed in an…
