Bratislava has its share of swanky malls and stores. Most of them have long working hours and are open on Saturday and Sunday. You may not find the more popular retail stores, which is good, as you can shop for things not found elsewhere. Prices are not very low, but look out for some good bargains when you are buying antiques and curios.
It's quite interesting to go shopping in Bratislava. Read on and we will tell you all you need to know to get the best deals and best places to shop in Bratislava. For further general information, take a look at our Slovakia Shopping Guide. If you get hungry during your shopping spree, stop for some finger food or relax in one of the Bratislava Restaurants along the city's shopping streets.
Bratislava Shopping Guide
The Aupark Mall, situated across the river on Einsteinova Street, and Polus Mall on Vajronska Street, and Shopping Palace Soravia on Studena Street all give a comprehensive shopping experience. All have a range of shops and most also have multiplex cinemas.
The Main Square of the Old Town and the Hviezdoslavovo Square in front of the Slovak National Theatre are prime areas for souvenir hunting. These places offer an array of handicrafts like porcelain, pottery, hand-embroidered clothing, carved wood articles, glass and crystal. All these craft items are of a high standard and quality and most of them come from a village in the Carpathians, called Modra. However, most of these handicrafts tend to be Czech rather than Slovak.
ULUV is the Centre for Folk Arts and Crafts and is the best place to buy Slovak souvenirs. Wire-smithing is an interesting craft that involves shaping wire into ingenious designs. Antique shops are centred around Bratislava's Old Town, known as "Starozitnosti", and you can spend a lot of time browsing around.
The TESCO department store on Kamenne namestie is the ideal place to shop for groceries. If you are looking for international newspapers, maps and postcards then the Interpress Slovakia - a network of kiosks - is the place to buy them.
