You can liven up your holiday in Slovakia not only with delicious meals, drinks, theater performance, but also by quality shopping. Whether you prefer large shopping malls, municipal markets or small shops, you will certainly come into your own in large cities and small towns.
Most of the shops in Slovakia are open during the week from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 A.M. The shopping malls are open all week long from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. You can pay in cash or with credit cards in the department stores. Credit cards are generally accepted in most shops.
Shopping Malls
The best commercial and entertainment centers in Slovakia are found in the capital, Bratislava. In addition to great shopping, the malls offer rest and relaxation, entertainment and sports opportunites. The most popular malls are Polus City Centre, Aupark, Avion, Tatracentrum, Danubiana Shopping Center and Soravia Shopping Palace. And what exactly will you find in these malls? Name brand shops like Piere Cardin, Swarovski, Tom Tailor, Follie Follie, Trussardi, Sisley, Mango, Adidas, exchange and banking services, photo services, pharmacies, restaurants, cafés, multiplex cinemas and sporting facilities like fitness centers, bowling alleys and squash courts.
Folk Art Items
The most popular and authentic souvenirs from Slovakia include dolls dressed in the folk costumes, ceramics, carved wooden figures, a “črpák” – a wooden pitcher used by shepherds for acidified sheep milk, a “fujara” – a long wooden shepherd’s pipe, a “valaška” – a shepherd’s decorated hatchet), leather goods, fabric (embroideries, embroidered pillow cases, folk costumes) and very popular products made from corn husks and wire.
You can find all of these products in souvenir shops and in special shops of the ULUV organization (the Center of the Folk Art Production). ULUV shops can be found in Bratislava (Obchodná ulica, Námestie SNP) ), Banská Bystrici (Dolná ulica), Bardejov (Radničné námestie), Košice (Hlavná ulica), Prešov (Hlavná ulica) and Trnava (Hlavná ulica). For more information go to www.uluv.sk .
Wine, Cheeses, and Chocolate
But not only folklore and national traditions are typical here. Connoisseurs of wine and fine drinks will certainly enjoy shopping for wines from the Slovak wine regions. The most popular wines are those from the Tokaj, Small Carpathians, Nitra, Topoľčany and Záhorie regions. The World Wine Chronicle mentions also Hubert, the Slovak sect which is highly rated and “Karpatské Brandy Špeciál” (the Carpathian Brandy Special). Typical Slovak liqueurs are Demänovka and Horec, from the region of the High Tatras. Slivovica (plum brandy) and Borovička (the juniper berry brandy, gin) are popular Slovak aperitifs. Let’s not forget that Slovakia also produces excellent beer. The most popular brands are Topvar, Zlatý Bažant, Šariš, Corgoň, Gemer and Martiner.
If anyone in your family has a sweet tooth, we recommend Slovak Figaro chocolate.
Cheese and cheese products are other typical Slovak specialties. The most popular are the “korbáčik” – cheese strings interwoven into fine braids, “parenica” – steamed cheese strips woven into snail-like curls, “oštiepok” – smoked sheep cheese shaped in wooden moulds and “bryndza” – processed sheep cheese. You can find these cheese products in any grocery store.
Modern Art versus Antiques
The “Dielo” network of shops offer works of Slovak artists and craftsmen, such as paintings, ceramics, wooden toys, sculptures, etc. These shops can be found in Bratislava, Košice, Trenčín, Banská Bystrica and Žilina. You can find antique stores with a wide range of books, art and furniture in every larger Slovak town.
Places to shop: