Shopping in Ukraine
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7-Kilometres Bazaar
The sprawling 7-Kilometres Bazaar on the city's southwest edge is probably the largest market of any kind in the former Soviet Union. Nicknamed the tolkuchka or tolchok (both meaning 'push' in Russian), its appeal lies in its sheer size, rather than in its shopping selection, which mainly entails row after row of the same old cheap knock-offs and junk. The official name has to do with its location about 7km outside the city.
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A
Outdoor Arts and Crafts Market
This large market sells rugs, embroidered blouses, wooden pysanky (patterned eggs), woodcrafts and lots of everyday knick-knacks.
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B
TsUM
This purely Soviet monolith is where you should head when replacing any lost or damaged essentials.
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Usta Workshop
A small workshop with an attached store, which creates unique souvenirs for tourists and a source of income for local craftspeople. There are embroidered shawls and tablecloths, woven rugs and hangings, pottery and filigree jewellery. The fez hats and beaded bracelets are bestsellers among Crimea’s hippy holiday-makers, but there are also evening bags, mobile-phone covers, and matroshyky Russian nesting dolls painted with Tatar characters.
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Kalynivsky Market
With its own police station, first-aid point and dedicated bank branches, the 33 hectare Kalynivsky Market is like a town unto itself. As a conduit into Ukraine for goods from neighbouring countries, it attracts some 50,000 shoppers a day and is a frenetic, wonderful phenomenon. You might not want to buy anything in particular, although it is good for baseball caps and trainers, and it’s great for people-watching.
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C
Passazh
Passazh is a swanky covered shopping arcade, which is the best-preserved example of the neo-renaissance architectural style that permeated in Odesa in the late 19th century. Its interior walls are festooned with gods, goblins, lions and nymphs.
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D
Ravlyk
Located in the pr Svobody branch of the Museum of Ethnography, Arts and Crafts, the quality of its souvenirs is second to none in Lviv, particularly the pysanky, which use real eggshells and are arguably better than those in the museum itself.
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E
Svitoch
Svitoch ( Світоч ) is one of Ukraine’s most popular brands of chocolate, and the company has many own-brand shops. These include the well-stocked confectionery outlet Svitoch.
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Globus Mall
Clothing outlets line Khreshchatyk and fill the enormous underground Globus mall. However, prices aren’t always cheap and some of the fashions (including fur) might not appeal to Western tastes.
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F
Original Ukrainian Souvenirs
Original Ukrainian Souvenirs has a great selection of high-quality embroidered shirts and skirts, bulavy (spiked clubs carried by Cossack hetmans), and pysanky.
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G
Krakivsky Market
Fans of outdoor markets will enjoy bustling Krakivsky Market, a real Soviet-style rynok (market) with all the fresh fruit, raw meat and cheap junk that entails.
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H
Tsentralny Rynok
The city’s Tsentralny Rynok is well worth a browse for its eclectic collection of everything from fur shapky (hats) to vegetables and used car parts.
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Silpo
Self-caterers should make a beeline to this conveniently located, Western-style supermarket. The grocery section is on the ground floor; the minimall is on the 1st.
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Volodymyrsky Rynok
One block west of Palats Ukraina metro station, this market has more local, and hence less expensive produce. Its wave-like roof is architecturally impressive.
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J
Pryvoz Market
The centrally located Pryvoz Market is the largest open-air farmers market in the former Soviet Union and a must-visit for market lovers.
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K
Bessarabsky Rynok
Grocery shopping is rarely such an aesthetically pleasing experience, so this market full of colourful fruit and veg should definitely not be missed.
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Knyhy
Nash Svit publishes a great city map, filled with information on the park. It’s available at Knyhy in the town centre.
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L
Furshet Gourmet
An upscale supermarket with imported foods, pre-prepared meals and – what else? – a sushi bar.
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The Book Shop
Has lots of maps, a few guidebooks and a reasonable collection of English-language fiction.
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Extreme Team
A small but high-quality selection of last-minute camping and hiking supplies.
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Vopak
For a wide range of well-priced supplies, try this popular supermarket chain.
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Dinternal
English-language book specialist, hidden through an archway on prov Muzeyny.
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Galereya Afina
Galereya Afina is the city’s newest and best mall.
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Budynok Knyhy
This large, central bookshop has local maps and guides.
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Q
Megamarket
A good choice if size and selection are what you seek.
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