Sighişoara
Inside Casa Vlad Dracul, this wondrous handicraft shop is the brainchild of self-styled 'Spoonman' Mark Tudose, who employs traditional woodcarving…
Must-see shopping in Romania
Bucharest
This impressive branch of the Cărtureşti chain of books and gifts is located in an opulent, restored early-20th-century shopping emporium in the Historic…
Museum of the Romanian Peasant Gift Shop
Bucharest
For beautifully woven rugs, table runners, national Romanian costumes, ceramics and other local crafts, don’t miss the excellent folk-art shop at the…
Bucharest
This delightful cafe-cum-art-gallery hosts the microgallery of Studio Receptor, showcasing original Romanian illustrations, and the Cărturești bookstore…
Bucharest
Beautiful, well-stocked wine shop with a comprehensive selection of Romanian and foreign wines, plus knowledgable salespeople to help you sort it out. In…
Bucharest
This bookshop, music store, tearoom and funky backyard garden is a must-visit. Amazing collection of design, art and architecture books, as well as…
Iaşi
This long-standing local antiques shop sells everything from folk heirlooms and jewellery to rare, expensive icons. It can provide authorised sale…
Bucharest
The city's biggest and nicest mall, with lots of top-end shops and brands, plus an indoor skating rink, children's playground and IMAX cinema.
Iaşi
If Moldavia is truly impoverished, you'd never know it from this sleek hybrid of airport duty-free shops and American-style megamall.
Bucovina
Family-run shop selling distinctive local black-glazed pottery. Browse the collection or get a glimpse of the potters at work.
Bucharest
A sprawling flea market operates here, southeast of the centre, on Sundays till 4pm. Come early to get the best deals on everything from antique jewellery…
Bucharest
The little courtyard Strada Hanul cu Tei is a hidden passageway in the Historic Centre with a few art galleries and art supply and antique shops. Enter…
Transylvania
Driving west from Cluj-Napoca towards Huedin, you can't fail to notice the famous 'souvenir village' of Izvoru Crişului (Körösfő to Hungarians). Shops are…
Bucharest
For an authentic Romanian experience, head to Piața Obor, the biggest market in Bucharest. It’s the best place to shop for fruits and vegetables, as well…
Bucharest
Impressive wine shop and tasting room, featuring some of the best Romanian wines as well as a carefully chosen list of international producers. Labels…
Braşov
Daydreaming patrons mill around this enjoyably creaky bookstore, which sells travel books including Lonely Planet guides (some in English) plus regional…
Sibiu
Hand-stitched kitten ears, painted shoes and bags made from repurposed floppy discs… The imaginations of over 40 Romanian designers have run riot, filling…
Sibiu
Buy road maps for Romania and other European countries, pick up some hiking maps, or grab a drink in the cavernous cafe attached.
Iaşi
Kiosks selling jewellery, glass and knick-knacks. There's also a subterranean farmers' market, selling all manner of fruits and veg, meats, cheese and…
Wallachia
This small shop inside the Natural Science Museum sells traditional textiles, ceramics and clothing.
Bucharest
Madison is an upscale perfume shop selling high-end personal-care products and made-to-measure scents.
Timişoara
This very high-end contemporary art gallery showcases the work of artists from Romania and abroad.
Romania
Humanitas is a small but helpful bookshop, with a tiny collection of titles in English.
Bucharest
This sprawling shopping centre has a handy location just as you exit the Piaţa Unirii metro station. There's a grocery store in the basement, and ground…
Braşov
Beckoning across the road from the Black Church, this handicrafts shop sells sparkly decorative eggs, woven linen shirts, and other gifts with a taste of…
Iaşi
This slightly downscale, communist-era mall nevertheless offers several useful shops, including a bank, currency exchange and supermarket, spread out over…
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.
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.
Cluj-Napoca
Well-stocked handicraft shop adjoining Cluj's Ethnographic Museum, with delicate embroidered linens and handpainted ceramics.
Sibiu
On weekends and in high summer, this small pop-up souvenir market peddles jewellery, fridge magnets and other trinkets.
Sinaia
Top up your winter sports kit at this handy outdoor store, selling ski accessories, clothing, helmets and more.
Cluj-Napoca
Stalls selling jams, honey, jewellery and flowers occasionally pop up along the river, east of the bridge.
Sibiu
Snap up painted eggs, glass, scarves and postcards at this souvenir spot by the Bridge of Lies.
Timişoara
Sells some English-language books about Romania as well as a good selection of maps.
Cluj-Napoca
Sells regional maps and richly illustrated books about Romania (mostly in Romanian).
Braşov
A few travel books, though mostly in Romanian, plus stationery and gifts for kids.
