Article Hand-made in Slovakia

The best handmade souvenir from your road trip in Slovakia? One that you make yourself! You can learn how to use a curved needle, spin a pottery wheel, or turn raw wood into a toy. Craft your own souvenirs in Slovakia!

Slovakia delights shopaholics thanks to a range of large shopping centers, sophisticated boutiques, traditional markets, and local shops. On offer are products from internationally known fast-fashion brands and haute couture to local food, handmade toys, and Slovak-designed jewelry. High-end shopping malls offer plenty of ways to relax after your shopping day. Enjoy a glass of wine on the riverbank at Eurovea Shopping Center in Bratislava or have a picnic on the green rooftop of the Nivy shopping center, complete with a barbecue area, an organic garden, a golf pitch and even a jogging track.

Interested in folk art? Visit a Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) in Bratislava, Tatranská Lomnica, Košice – or all three! They display Slovakia´s rich handicraft heritage in original souvenirs that blend traditional Slovak folk culture and modern design. It is up to you to choose from colorful Slovak folk embroidery, majolica jugs from Modra, or wooden toys decorated with geometric and linear designs from the village of Kyjatice to put in your shopping basket. You can also participate in craft workshops and make your own signature souvenirs! Learn how to use a curved needle to sew beautiful clothing, and if you’re fond of timeless blue and white dress patterns, try the art of indigo dyeing, a UNESCO-listed technique. How about making a personalized mug on a traditional pottery wheel? Does it sound tempting?

ÚĽUV Master Craftsmen Days take place in Bratislava in early September, and it’s where you can admire folk costumes from different Slovak regions, listen to enchanting traditional music and heartfelt singing, and taste authentic Slovak cuisine. At craft fairs, you can buy skillfully made artwork from natural materials such as wood, linen, cotton, wool, leather or wire.

If you prefer modern to traditional design, dozens of very talented Slovak designers produce a variety of high-quality products that complement the latest fashion trends. For the perfect man’s gift, how about a cap with a removable wooden visor painted with a panorama of the Tatra Mountains? Wouldn’t any woman be delighted with a handmade concrete necklace, earrings made from recycled CDs, or irresistibly scented lipstick blended with plum and marigold oils? Our favorite item in this category is a minimalist silver necklace in the shape of the Danube River, which flows through the Slovak capital. You can easily find all of these at the Place Store in the heart of Bratislava. Find handmade goods under one roof by over a hundred Slovak designers, with a strong focus on exceptional craftsmanship, local production, and eco-friendliness.

The craftsmanship of Slovak artisans will make your shopping unforgettable!