Nice
With its gilded counters and mirrors, this opulent shop – run by the same family for five generations – looks more like a 19th-century boutique than a…
Must-see shopping in Europe
El Centro & El Arenal
If you're looking to take some Spanish olive oil home, super-enthusiastic Andrés García is the person to help you. At his well-stocked shop, he'll talk…
Southern Tuscany
Showcasing produce from the local farm of the same name, this shop is manna from heaven for self-caterers – look out for top-quality Maremmana beef, honey…
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…
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…
Brussels
Fabulous food stalls cluster around an elongated, leafy square at this market. It's a true foodie heaven, featuring cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruit and…
Jordaan & the West
Dating from 1895, Saturday's Lindengracht Market is a wonderfully local affair, with 232 stalls selling fresh produce, including fish and a magnificent…
Murcia Province
It's quite a surprise to go through the door here, and gradually descend into an enormous concrete structure replete with all kinds of handicrafts, from…
La Laguna
The shoes at Pisaverde are quite a sight, with each pair uniquely fashioned and handcrafted with bold and brightly coloured leather and all manner of…
Zürich
The Freitag brothers recycle colourful truck tarps into water-resistant messenger bags in their factory. Every item, from purses to laptop bags, is…
Naples
One-time favourite of Luchino Visconti and Aristotle Onassis, this pocket-sized, vintage boutique is the place for prêt-à-porter and made-to-measure silk…
Groningen
With its organic coffee bar, homemade cakes and impeccable choice of Dutch brands, this small concept store is worth lingering in. Among its designer…
Paris
Beautiful objects with une histoire (a story) is what this backstreet boutique is all about. Hand-woven items from West Africa pile next to silk and…
Skopje
A brilliant local carpentry enterprise, Monozero makes everything out of solid wood sourced from responsibly harvested forests. Each object is handmade…
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…
Urbino
The best spot in town for local products, with an encyclopeadic selection of casciotta d'Urbina cheeses, salumi, biscotti (biscuits), wines, craft beers,…
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…
Thessaloniki
Fresh fish and meat, cheeses, top-notch fruit and vegetables, bread, oils, honey, vinegars – you name it, it's all to be found in this high-end 'closed…
Madrid
This original shop in the southwestern corner of Plaza Mayor sells an outstanding array of homemade designer souvenirs, from stone, ceramic and glass work…
Naxos
This wonderful ceramics shop in Apollonas, just up from the seafront tavernas, features beautiful vases – some traditional, some rather more abstract –…
Istanbul
Serious antique shoppers should make their way to this old-fashioned business near the bazaar's Nuruosmaniye Gate. Silver candlesticks and trays,…
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…
Oslo
Bergen comes to Oslo! The west-coast design superstar creates what might be the world's most coveted raincoats. This Oslo outpost stocks the complete…
Lindos
Celebrating the work of upcoming artists and jewellers, this fabulous boutique is the best place in Lindos to buy fine gifts at affordable prices.
Athens
A Greek-Spanish duo specialising in silkscreen designs inspired by classical motifs. Especially nice are their leather notebooks, wallets and more, where…
Northwest England
Lancaster's historic market is one of the best in the northwest, a gathering place for local producers to sell their goodies. You'll find potted shrimp…
Southern Canal Ring
This rambling shop is muso heaven, with a fabulous selection of new and secondhand vinyl and CDs encompassing every imaginable genre, including rockabilly…
Fira
Not only do these guys produce some of Santorini's hottest craft beer (Volkan, served at their caldera-edge cafe), but this deli is also a terrific place…
East Sussex
Literally packed to the rafters with over half a million musty volumes, this incredible secondhand-book repository, an interesting amble from the train…
Frankfurt am Main
Exquisite handcrafted souvenirs at this long-established shop include traditional toy-soldier nutcrackers, adorable 'smokers' (incense burners) depicting…
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…
Nordland
In the Vega Archipelago, on the island of Lånen around 30km northwest of the main Vega island, Utværet Lånen sells mittens, pillows, duvets and other…
Veliko Târnovo
Veliko Târnovo's historic quarter is a true centre of craftsmanship, with genuine blacksmiths, potters and cutlers, among other artisans, still practising…
Helsinki
Bright pinks, yellows and ubiquitous black and white form the basis for the prints by this iconic Finnish designer that has infiltrated the world of…
Rotterdam
Its name is revived local slang for 'pride', and this concept store in the Het Industriegebouw creative industries building is clearly proud of the…
Malasaña & Conde Duque
This concept store down the Gran Vía end of Malasaña is the epitome of style, although it's less Malasaña retro than a slick new-Madrid look. Designer…
County Donegal
You won't find any canned leprechauns or Guinness T-shirts here. Instead this huddle of craft studios showcases pottery, ironwork, handwoven fabrics,…
Aveiro
This warehouse concept store down by the canalside is a browser's delight. Carrying a selection of Portuguese brands and artisanal wares, it stocks…
Odense
In a late-16th-century merchant's house with neither heating nor running water, this superb place sells everything from brooms to locks to bottles to…
Lappland
Located 4km west of town on E45, this little place has refined glass products with Sami-inspired designs. There's some nice stuff on display and for sale,…
