There are a lot of shopping opportunities in Central Europe. The markets are always a good place to purchase local produce as well as handmade products. Most cities have a wide range or souvenir and boutique shops for travelers to explore. Larger cities also often have malls and shopping plazas that consist of everything from clothing items to artwork. Each country in Central Europe offers a well-rounded shopping experience.
Austria
Austria hasn’t been always known for its shopping, but throughout the years many shopping centers have been built throughout the country. For those that are looking for high-end items, Vienna and Landstrasse are the places to go. In particular, Kärntner Strasse, located in Vienna, has a wide array of designer items available for purchase. Popular souvenirs for travelers to take home are Marizipan balls called Mozartkugel. What makes them so popular is that they have a wrap on them that displays Mozart’s portrait.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic is another country that has seen a huge change in the shopping industry over the past few decades. For the most part, their items are well made. The most popular city to shop in is Prague. This is because of the amount of shopping opportunities in the area as well as the variety of items that are available. Favorites among shoppers include decorated eggs, wooden toys for the kids and glass objects. Czech Republic is also known for its spa type items such as their natural lotions and soaps.
Germany
Germany is a haven for shoppers. The historical surroundings add a magical backdrop to the markets and boutiques. If you are looking to buy some of the latest fashions, Düsseldorf or Marienplatz surely won’t disappoint. For those that are into sports or electronics Hamburg is the place to go. Beer steins and cuckoo clocks are among the most popular souvenirs for tourists.
Hungary
The shopping scene in Hungary isn’t as big as most of the other countries in Central Europe, but there are still a few places to go and shop. The Hungarian Design Market called the WAMP is a big hit among tourists and locals who like art. There are many shops available in Budapest that offer a wide variety of goods. While most shopping centers are open seven days a week, many of them close by 6 p.m. Most places only take cash so you will need to plan accordingly.
Italy
Many people go to Italy just for the shopping. With the amount of boutiques and markets in the country it can get overwhelming when trying to decide where to go and figuring out whether you are getting a good deal or not. Florence, Rome and Milan have a lot of high-end items that may seem enticing, but other parts of the country will probably have the same items for a fraction of the cost. Street markets are generally the best places to get a good deal. Usually the further south you go in the country the cheaper things become. If you can, wait to do your shopping at places like Apulia rather than more expensive cities like Venice. It’s also important to note that you need to keep your receipts. If you are within 200 meters of a store that you bought something from you need to have your receipt with you in order to comply with the law. Also, in Italy, if a deal is too good to be true then it probably is. A lot of vendors have been trying to sell counterfeit products. In order to avoid buying fake goods, do a little bit of research about what genuine items look like before heading out to shop.
Poland
Poland’s shopping scene can best be described as up and coming. There are shops and malls that carry well-known brands as well as homemade items. Poland is known for its amber and if you are shopping in the area you are bound to see some of it for sale in almost every shop that you go to. One of the nice things about shopping in Poland is that many of its stores are open for extended hours. You can easily fit in a little bit of shopping even if you are an early bird or a night owl. Most of the shopping opportunities in this country consist of mom and pop type places. Larger cities like Warsaw do offer a vast array of stores and flea markets as well.
Slovenia
Shopping in Slovenia means that you will have a variety of different options. From specialty shops to shopping centers there’s a lot to choose from. One of the most frequented places to buy souvenirs is at Europark Maribor. It’s a one stop destination for not only a wide range of stores, but exhibits, shows and entertainment for the kids.
Switzerland
You name it, they probably have it in Switzerland. No matter where you go you can find many types of shopping venues. Zurich in particular is filled with many stores where visitors can buy Swiss chocolate, jewelry and souvenirs. If you want to get a lot of shopping done in one day, Switzerland’s biggest mall, Einkaufszentrum Glat consists of around 100 store and has a variety of fashions, jewelry and kid’s items.
Ukraine
It’s estimated that approximately 48 million people shop in Ukraine annually. This is probably why there are numerous shops and a wide variety of merchandise to purchase. From the designer clothes to the handmade items, you can find almost anything you are looking for. If you are in the Ukraine you really should visit one of the markets. You will be pleasantly surprised at how fresh the food items are there. Of all of the shopping choices available one of the most popular is the first shopping mall in the country called The Alta Center. It consists of traditional mall type items like clothes, shoes and cosmetics. As with Hungary, the merchants in the Ukraine tend to only accept cash.
P.S. If you don’t mind the cold weather, consider visiting Central Europe during the Christmas markets. You will have the opportunity to shop for very unique hand made gifts.
