Kola Peninsula
Intricate dolls, leatherwork, silver and bone jewellery. Can be contacted through the Sami History & Culture Museum or by telephone.
Must-see shopping in Eastern Europe
Sozopol
Sells contemporary art, jewellery and pottery, as well as souvenir books about Sozopol. The gallery is located in a historic house that sits behind ruins…
Split
It seems that the revival of vinyl isn't limited to Western hipsters. This little store carries a selection of both LPs and CDs, featuring local and…
Rovinj
Heed the siren's call to this aquamarine-painted and mermaid-adorned grotto. Inside you'll find contemporary takes on pearl bracelets and necklaces, all…
Iaşi
This slightly downscale, communist-era mall nevertheless offers several useful shops, including a bank, currency exchange and supermarket, spread out over…
St Petersburg
Come for the aroma and stay for the amazing coffee from all over the world. There are espresso machines and every type of coffee-maker and caffeine…
Split
What to buy for the person who has everything, including a yacht? How about an unusual nautical-themed unisex bracelet made of knotted rope with tiny…
Kaunas
Handy to the bus and train stations and the New Town, this modern shopping centre has plenty of clothes shops, a supermarket, food hall, bowling alley and…
Pag Island
One of three major cheese producers on the island, Paška Sirana has a small shop in front of its factory. Opening hours can be erratic outside the summer…
Split
This massive hot-pink-trimmed complex has three floors of stores as well as cinemas, a kids' fun park, a food court and brilliant views from the bars at…
Central Rīga
Developed in 1880, this forerunner of a modern shopping centre has an interesting collection of shops and eateries gathered around a set of courtyards and…
Poreč
Don't miss the great leather items designed and handmade by a brother-and-sister team at this tiny storefront with cool bags, flip-flops, briefcases and…
Transylvania
A little hut on the main street, opposite the church, sells a cheerful range of T-shirts, handmade jewellery, woollen rosettes, painted eggs, and ceramics.
St Petersburg
This local streetwear brand has the tagline 'made in Russia' and its bright, psychedelic and playful unisex clothing is popular with a cool, younger crowd.
Sarajevo
This appealing little old-town shop sells various luscious varieties of lokum (Turkish delight), nuts, spices and tempting snack foods by weight.
Lviv
The 'House of Books' is a reliable stop-off if you are sourcing maps of the Carpathians, postcards, books in English and publications on Lviv and Ukraine.
Braşov
On the upper floor of number 23, this outdoor gear shop sells ski and hiking kit, walking maps, fleeces, sleeping bags, tents and rock-climbing equipment.
Central & Eastern Istria
This outpost of the Buzet distillery sells it's own branded rakija (grappa) and jams, along with wine, chocolate, truffle products and souvenirs.
Vilnius
Massive shopping and entertainment complex with hundreds of stores and restaurants, a multiplex cinema, an ice-skating rink and a children’s play area.
Tartu
Tartu's biggest and flashest shopping centre is anchored by a branch of Tallinn's Kaubamaja department store. Expect plenty of top fashion and much more.
Chişinău
The outlet store for the Mileştii Mici wine cellars. Table wine is sold from a tap; a 1L refill is 13 lei.
Rijeka
This small art shop stocks the traditional Rijeka design known as morčići: a ceramic jewellery piece depicting a Moor wearing a turban.
Chişinău
The venerable winery sells good bottles of wine for as little as 35 lei, plus Bessarabia sparkling wine.
Chişinău
Galeria L is a treasure trove of paintings by local artists and hosts occasional exhibitions. Also has a few souvenirs crafted by local artists.
Minskikh Maestroy Souvenir Market
Minsk
This outdoor souvenir market on pl Svabody is where you can haggle for local art, folk crafts, Soviet posters and coins, matryoshka dolls etc.
Sarajevo
This imaginative outfit turns oddments and waste into tasteful sculptures and offbeat accessories such as bracelets loaded with screw-nuts.
Vilnius
Large shopping centre just across the Neris River from the Old Town. Three floors of shops and a handful of restaurants and coffee joints.
Herceg Novi
If you want to take on the locals in a tussle for the best fresh fruit and vegetables, get to this little produce market by around 8am.
Tomsk
This market sprawls for a full block south of ul Kartashova, providing photo-ops as well as fuel in the form of local fruits and nuts.
Old Town
Despite the Italianate name, Zizi stocks a range of quality, Estonian-made linen napkins, place mats, tablecloths and cushion covers.
Minsk
Large and central bookshop also has great Soviet propaganda posters, matryoshka dolls, embroidered shirts and other souvenirs.
Sarajevo
This tiny shop sells local honeys with various natural flavour variants based on the environments where the bees were buzzing.
Cluj-Napoca
Well-stocked handicraft shop adjoining Cluj's Ethnographic Museum, with delicate embroidered linens and handpainted ceramics.
Central & Eastern Istria
Stocks about 30 rakija (grappa) varieties, including seven brands of biska (made from white mistletoe).
Stari Grad
Step through the gallery filled with kooky insect sculptures to Zoran Tadić's small and interesting jewellery workshop.
Sibiu
On weekends and in high summer, this small pop-up souvenir market peddles jewellery, fridge magnets and other trinkets.
Tartu
Near the bus station, locals come here seeking fresh flowers, cheap clothes, nonbranded sunglasses and other bargains.
Kaliningrad
Everything you might think of in terms of gifts, including toys for the kids, cards and posters, candles and diaries.
Elafiti Islands
Operating from a shed near the ferry wharf, this little place sells colourful art and hand-painted T-shirts and mugs.
Sofia
The best place in town to buy hiking, climbing and camping equipment, including backpacks, tents and sleeping bags.
