Zagreb
When you walk up cobbled Radićeva street, stop by the buzzer that says ‘press for champagne’ and let yourself into an other-worldly designer shop where…
Must-see shopping in Eastern Europe
The Carpathians
You haven't seen a Ukrainian souvenir market until you've visited Yaremche's, surely western Ukraine's largest. Now reaching absurd dimensions, it's…
St Petersburg
The superb Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art has several shops in it, including its excellent gift shop, a well-stocked art bookshop and commercially run…
Suzdal
The affable Maria learned the rare and delicate traditional art of filigree embroidery from her grandmother. She often sells her beautiful wares –…
St Petersburg
There's been a market here since the 18th century. Although parts of it are being upgraded, it remains mostly a gritty and chaotic Dostoevsky-style warren…
Dubrovnik
This high-ceilinged space near the clock tower stocks books, gifts and souvenirs. Of special mention is an ample selection of literature in English,…
St Petersburg
Built between 1846 and 1848, this arcade has a glass roof spanning the entire block from Nevsky to Italiyanskaya ul. Dostoevsky wrote a story about a man…
St Petersburg
Looking like the set of Alien designed by Stella McCartney, this avant-garde boutique is one of St Petersburg’s premier fashion experiences. Inside you’ll…
Veliky Novgorod
The Alkon distillery has been in operation for over 100 years, producing a range of infused vodka (honey, thyme, rosemary) and high-quality sadko vodka,…
Sergiev Posad
Forget the carbon-copy matryoshki you see at tourist stalls everywhere – 'City of Craftsmen' sells beautiful hand-painted nesting dolls that are several…
Kazandžijska Radnja Huseinović
Sarajevo
Although coppersmiths shops fill the alleys of Baščaršija (especially Kazandžiluk), much is now imported or machine-made; only a handful are officially…
Zagreb
Hidden inside a courtyard, this pioneer wine shop is a treasure trove of local wines charmingly lined up on brick and wood shelves. The extrafriendly…
St Petersburg
Nevsky Centre is a smart and central multifloor shopping centre. It houses some 70 shops over seven floors, including the city’s largest department store,…
Skopje
The family behind this highly awarded jewellery business, based in the Čaršija's aptly named 'golden street', are master filigree craftspeople and their…
St Petersburg
Scores of arts-and-craft stores can be found in this arcade in the middle of Dumskaya ul. Among them are Collection, with a wide range of painted works,…
Suzdal
If you're after souvenirs a level up from the Russo-kitsch found everywhere else, check out these lovely handmade ceramic creations: mugs, tiles, vases,…
St Petersburg
There is never a dull moment at this underground (in both senses of the word) art gallery. In the front room, you’ll see some fairly mainstream stuff for…
Zagreb
This 80-year-old family-run hat shop oozes old Zagreb charms. The headgear is meticulously handcrafted following a traditional approach, but infused with…
St Petersburg
In the sumptuous surroundings of the Museum of Decorative & Applied Arts, this is a great place to buy contemporary local art. You'll find quite extensive…
Zamoskvorechie
Although the old Red October chocolate factory has long been converted into a hipster den, you can still sample the products of Russian chocolatiers at…
Zagreb
Quality, design and a brand story safeguard this umbrella artisan from the onslaught of global products. The shop is a wormhole to a different era,…
Belgrade
Set up to promote and preserve the traditional culture and cuisine of Vojvodina province, this beautiful little shop stocks its shelves with locally grown…
Western European Russia
Tula is renowned Russia-wide for its pryaniki (inscribed ginger cakes) and locals pack out this tiny bakery store-cum-cafe, stocking up on blocks of…
Tartu
This curious trove of used books and ephemera is a wonder for lovers of rare and random titles and delightfully musty out-of-print editions. Stacks scale…
Odesa
Odesa is home to two of southern Ukraine's largest and most famous markets. This centrally located market is possibly the largest farmers market in the…
St Petersburg
In an otherwise derelict part of town, 'Weavers' is an impressive conversion of a warehouse into a 'creative space', which more often than not in…
Western European Russia
Tula's Salden's Brewery is one of provincial Russia's most respected craft-beer brewers and this tiny takeaway store is a great spot to pick up a couple…
Zagreb
Nataša Trinajstić is a third-generation shoemaker from this well-known Zagreb family. Visit her small shop and studio where she craftily blends the…
Kaliningrad
The Kaliningrad outlet shop for the main amber processor has updated its designs in recent years in a bid to appeal to younger buyers. Stop by this store,…
Dubrovnik
This little treasure-trove is a dream come true for a local stonemason-artisan couple. Pero carves local limestone into salt and pepper shakers, candle…
St Petersburg
Contemporary Russian designers for both men and women are represented in this stylishly minimalist boutique on the 2nd floor of a grand building that's…
St Petersburg
Nearly all samovars (metal containers holding boiling water) in Russia are made in the town of Tula, south of Moscow, but this beautiful showroom is the…
Belgrade
One of Belgrade's trendiest and most stylish boutiques, Palmas is a treasure trove of Serbian-designed pop culture, from art prints and hipster hoodies to…
Dubrovnik
Bringing ‘eclectic’ to a new level, this treasure trove stocks antiques from different periods, with some pieces a few centuries old. The curious…
St Petersburg
The traditional craft of Russian felt slippers and booties made from thick-fibred wool from Romanov sheep has been given a contemporary fashion spin here…
St Petersburg
In a city with men in uniform on every street corner, this is where you can get yours (the uniform that is!). Buy stripey sailor tops, embroidered badges,…
St Petersburg
This long-established antique bookseller is a fascinating place to rummage around. The stock ranges from fancy, mint-edition books to second-hand, well…
Zagreb
Little Market from the Attic is a weekly food market that started in the attic of food-blogger and stylist Jelena Nikolić and has since been switching…
Pristina
On the southern outskirts of the city, the Albi Mall is a giant new shopping mall complex filled with well-known glossy high-street brands, a multi-screen…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
One of Moscow's best antiques dealers, this gallery specialises in 19th-century furniture salvaged from the mansion houses of the nobility, most of which…
