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Switzerland

Other shopping in Switzerland

  1. A

    Globus

    Designer shopping is wedged between Rue du Rhône and Rue de Rive. Globus is one of the main department stores. For designer secondhand, try Rue des Étuves.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner

    Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner is a well-known Christmas store – pick up festive decorations year-round.

    reviewed

  3. Hallwag, Kümmerly + Frey

    Hallwag, Kümmerly + Frey has a vast range of road atlases, city maps and hiking maps, which can be bought online. Swiss Hiking Federation maps and maps produced by the Bundesamt for Topographie (sometimes down to 1:15,000 scale) are also found in most travel bookshops. The Swiss Travel System brochure, free from Switzerland Tourism and major train stations, has a clear A3 map of bus and train routes. For more detail, buy the Swiss Federal Railway rail map from any Swiss train station.

    reviewed

  4. Heidihaus

    At Heidihaus, where of course she never lived because she never existed, you could visit the Heidishop to buy Heidi colouring-in books, Heidi videos or just plain Heidikitsch. For little-girl-of-the-Alps overkill, you could follow the Heidiweg into the surrounding hills (Heidialp). When you’re done, you might be in need of some Heidiwein for your Heidiheadache…or perhaps just hit the A13 road and Heiditail it out of here north into Liechtenstein.

    reviewed

  5. Schweizer Heimatwerk

    The souvenir cowbells, cuckoo clocks, chocolate bars and Matterhorn snow globes are unavoidable. A cut above the rest is Schweizer Heimatwerk, an upmarket and exclusive chain selling strictly Swiss-made, beautifully crafted wooden toys, games for children and adults, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and so on. Find boutiques at Zürich and Geneva airports, and in Zürich and Basel town centres.

    reviewed

  6. Swiss Army Recycling Collection

    Take the Swiss Army Recycling Collection, a hip line created by a Valais shoemaker and saddler, who makes eco-bags from rough wool blankets used by the Swiss Army until the 1960s when they switched to sleeping bags. Handles are recycled gun straps or soldiers’ belts, but the icing on the cake is the bold white cross emblazoned across the front.

    reviewed

  7. Westside

    Bern’s snappiest dresser, this state-of-the-art leisure and shopping centre, with dozens of shops, a cinema, restaurants, a water park and spa, was designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. Take tram 8 from Bahnhofplatz to Brünnen Westside Bahnhof stop (Sfr4).

    reviewed

  8. C

    Freitag

    The Freitag brothers turn truck tarps into water-resistant carry-all chic in their factory. Everything is recycled and every item is original. Their outlet is equally impressive – a pile of containers; they call it Kreis 5’s first skyscraper and shoppers may climb to the top.

    reviewed

  9. D

    Weber & Bläuer

    One of the main shopping strips is Via Nassa, lined with purveyors of Swiss watches (what else?!), Italian fashion, cigar shops and jewellery stores. An intriguing store is the timeless Weber & Bläuer, which sells antiques and old jewellery.

    reviewed

  10. Café-Shop

    café-shop can be visited, much to the joy of locals, who flock here to stock up on chocolate at factory prices (Sfr6 for a 300g bar) and flop on leather sofas over a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and Villars chocolate shavings.

    reviewed

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  12. Williseger

    Wonderfully nostalgic, this Christmas shop brims with vintage and hand-carved decorations, from Erzgebirge nutcrackers and smoking men to glitzy baubles, dinky matchbox scenes and music boxes.

    reviewed

  13. E

    Casagrande

    Our favourite temple of kitsch might tempt you to spend on Heidi dolls, cuckoo clocks, yodelling marmots and – heaven forbid – his ‘n’ hers cow mugs.

    reviewed

  14. F

    Alpin

    Alpin specialises in Swiss wine and has an attached cafe, making it perfect for a try-before-you-buy session.

    reviewed

  15. G

    Holz Art

    Holz Art sells exquisite hand-carved wooden toys, ornamental chalets and clocks.

    reviewed

  16. H

    La Fringue-Halle

    For accessories, try Caritas’ Pâquis dépôt-vente (sale shop).

    reviewed

  17. I

    Flohmarkt Kanzlei

    One of the leading markets include the year-round Flohmarkt Kanzlei.

    reviewed

  18. J

    Great Outdoor Store

    Designer outdoor gear; everything you need for chic Swiss mountain forays.

    reviewed

  19. K

    L’Autre

    Stylish and retro furniture and jewellery from the 1930s to 1980s.

    reviewed

  20. L

    Payot Libraire

    Excellent choice of English books, fiction and reference.

    reviewed

  21. M

    L’Appart

    One-off fashion creations by young Swiss designers.

    reviewed

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  23. N

    Olmo Shoes

    Olmo Shoes sells funky footwear.

    reviewed

  24. O

    La Trouvaille

    Secondhand designer fashion for women.

    reviewed

  25. P

    Best Of

    Secondhand designer clothing.

    reviewed