Typical Slovene souvenirs to take home are the skrinjica, the famous beehive art panels, the Majolka and a wealth of interesting handicraft items!

There are many great bargains you can find when shopping in Slovenia. This Slovenia shopping guide will tell you all you need to know to get the best deals and learn about the best places to shop in Slovenia. If you get hungry during your shopping spree, stop for some finger food or relax in one of the Slovenia restaurants along the city's shopping streets.

Check out some handy local shopping hints and recommendations in Ljubljana, Piran, Maribor and Bled.

Slovenia Shopping Guide

Markets and Malls

Slovenia has plenty of big malls and local markets. The malls are located in big cities like Ljubljana. You get a glimpse of traditional Slovene life only in the smaller traditional markets. Starting from the Dragon Bridge the picturesque central market of Ljubljanica is spread over the entire embankment area to the Triple Bridge. Designed by ace architect Joce Plecnik in 1940, the central complex, with its huge, elegant arcades influenced by the Renaissance era, was completed in 1944. The original intention was to connect another bridge to this colonnade from the other side of the river bank, but Plecnik's plans were never implemented. The central complex is popular and is recognised as one of Plecnik's finest architectural contributions to the city.

Plecnik's market colonnade, when seen from the other side of the river, graces the street side with its large semicircular windows and classical columns. Apart from fresh vegetables and fruits, the market stalls are full of wonderful things like herbs, cheeses, different types of spices, breads and an assorted variety of fresh fish and meat. You can also buy local arts and crafts, beautiful souvenirs, different varieties of plants, attractive baskets and good quality blankets here. Most products made outside the town are those created from natural things. Slovenian delicacies like traditional ‘potica' cake, Karst prosciutto, horse pate, sauerkraut, homemade breads, cheeses and different types of oils are readily available in this market.

Weighing scales are installed at the corner of the market for the public. If you are in doubt you can weigh your goods there. Apart from the market on Pogacarjev trg, the open-air market on Vodnikov trg and Plecnik's colonnade, the central market includes flower shops which were added later by Joce Plecnik. These shops are located in underground areas. Markets generally remain open daily till 1800 during the summer and until 1600 during the winter, but are closed on Sundays. Saturday morning is the best time to shop in the central market.

Local Handicrafts

Shopping is the best way to delve deep into the culture, customs and habits of a city or a nation. Ljubljana is one of the best places to shop especially if you are interested in purchasing the famous beehive art panel. These panels have a very interesting story behind their creation. They feature religious stories and folk tales of chattering housewives and forest animals planning a hunter’s funeral. The seller himself can interpret these fables for you. The art panels come in different shapes and sizes, with the largest being 4 by 12 inches. If you have some time on hand do visit the museum of bee keeping in Radovljica.

Skrina in Ljubljana is a good place for purchasing handicrafts. Local products like wood carving, ceramics, linens and bobbin lace are easily available here and are very good in terms of range of products, quality and price. With pleasant and co-operative employees to guide you, this shop offers one-of-a-kind products, created by the regional and local craftsmen and easily accessible at reasonable rates.

Slovenian shops have some of the most excellent quilted bedding. Slovene designers are well known for their use of fine material in manufacturing products like pillows, covers and sleeping bags. Odeja in Skofja Loka is said to house the largest bedding manufacturing industry in Slovenia. 60 percent of the goods are exported to the West. Another interesting aspect of this bedding industry in Odeja is that it is entirely managed by women. Bount in Koper/ Isola has a good variety of blankets to choose from. For the best prices for goods go to factory stores. Remember to look for the trademark while buying. 

Slovenia is a treasure house of artefacts. You could choose the Skrinjica, which is a little chest bedecked with traditional Slovene jewellery, motives from hives and panjska koncnica used to store things like bed linen, toys and clothes; or opt for the beautifully decorated clay jug called Majolka that is usually used for drinking water, wine and milk as a souvenir. Those interested in doing a lot of shopping in just one place should head to Europak – the Mall of The East. It is always stocked with all kinds of goods that a traveller will be interested in.

Skofja Loka

For those shopping at Skofja Loka, a tour of the castle and the Telecommunications Museum is also recommended.

Organic Juice

Organic juice lovers can head straight to the tourist farms where a lot of homemade products are available. Apple juice is best consumed in autumn. Up to five litres of juice can be purchased straight away without any additional preservatives but be sure that you consume it within a week.  These products are also available in bottles. Apples, pears, apricots, wines, cheese and veggie organic products are also sold here. The organic products entice tourists and locals alike.

Shopping hours in Slovenia

Shops in Slovenia are generally open 0800-1900 Monday to Friday and are open 0800-1300 on Saturday. All shops, except the large malls, are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. You can change foreign currencies at the banks, some of the hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, tourist agencies and at the exchange bureaux. Though cash is the preferred mode of payment everywhere, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners and Eurocard are accepted at all upmarket establishments. Traveller's cheques are accepted everywhere, and you can use your credit card to get a cash advance from the banks. It is better to take traveller's cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling if you want to avoid extra exchange rate charges.