Shopping in Slovakia - outlets, shopping streets and boutiques

The experience of traveling in Slovakia would not be complete without going shopping. In order to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country, you should walk through a shopping mall, visit a market, explore several small shops and finally buy some souvenirs. Avion Shopping Park is a popular shopping center in Bratislava housing more than a hundred stores of famous and local brands, a skating rink, a beauty salon, a children's area, a supermarket, and several fast-food restaurants. Avion is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays and from 9:00 am on weekends.

Aupark Shopping Center in Bratislava is more than 200 shops, three dozen cafes and restaurants, a children's area, a cinema, a car wash, and more than two thousand parking spaces. The center is open daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Mirage Shopping Center can be found in Zilina. Here you can buy all the necessary stuff, have a good meal, play bowling, go to the movies and find everything your pets need in fantastic Pet Center. The center is open all week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Children who are bored of shopping can be left in a kid's club on the top floor.

Products in Slovakia's markets are cheaper than in supermarkets because they are often sold directly by manufacturers who can vouch for the quality of their production. Bratislava's "Fresh Market" is a farmer's market selling only fresh products: vegetables, fruits, berries, mushrooms, fish, meat, dairy products, bread, juices, and beer. The market is open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays and to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and offers customers fifty shops, free Wi-fi, a children's corner, and places to relax. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Three times a year, in spring, summer, and winter, an important cultural event takes place in Bratislava - the opening of Urban Market. This is a kind of fair attracting the best local and foreign fashion designers and masters presenting unique works. Besides that, live music plays, fashion shows, and art exhibitions are held here as well. The venue of the event is constantly changing, only the city remains unchanged. Those who are lucky enough to get to this fair have a chance to buy some interesting designer gizmos.

Six times a year, the ruined Devin Castle opens a bazaar where you can buy antiques. The bazaar is open from April to September on the last Sunday of every month. There are also theatrical performances here, and the place itself - the ruins of a historic castle - is perfectly suitable for buying something old. Those wishing to find something modern and expensive are recommended to visit “Slowatch” Concept Store in the capital. Designer accessories, clothes of expensive brands, all kinds of wrist watches and other things are tastefully selected. The store has collected products from brands such as Calvin Klein, Lacoste, and many others.

"Slavica" can be found in Bratislava. This store sells works created by Slovak designers. Prices are affordable, while handbags, jewelry, notepads, figurines, and other goods are absolutely unique. Nearby is "Kompot" highly appreciated by original persons who despise banality. The store mostly sells interesting T-shirts, but here it is still possible to find socks, bags, children's clothes, books, and much more. Fans of casual style in clothes combining style, comfort, and beauty should definitely check this unusual shop.

In Slovakia, there are plenty of souvenirs worthy of being taken home. When it comes to food and drinks, pay attention to plum brandy, Slovak chocolate and "tatratea" - tea-based liquor perfectly warming up in winter. Slovak herbal teas are good for health and can be found at any pharmacy and some grocery stores. As a souvenir, it is worth buying a traditional corn husk doll or “Rapkáč”, a loud wooden toy often heard on football matches. Fans of musical instruments would probably like the "fujara" shepherd's flute. It is impossible to ignore modern crafts of local masters, which can be anything, from animal figurines to phone cases.