Page 344 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

342 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Shopping in Vilnius mini-malls dotting the avenue,
boasts the Baltic region’s popu-
The main streets of the Old Town are lined with countless lar fashion stores such as Lindex
souvenir shops, stalls and galleries that spec ialize in the and H&M. However, most of
national favourites of amber, linen, wood and ceramics. the outlets for more expensive
Many of the better quality craft shops and art galleries are brands tend to be found in the
Old Town along Vokiečių and
also hidden in the Old Town’s labyrinth of narrow lanes and Didžioji gatvė (street). Vilnius
courtyards, so it is worth exploring off the beaten track. also has its own treasured and
Away from the Old Town, Gedimino prospektas (avenue) has highly sought-after designers
a number of cloth ing stores, bookshops and several shopping with their individual bouti ques,
centres, while bigger malls with huge spaces for fashionable such as Ramunė Piekautaitė.
Perhaps Lithuania’s most visually
shopping can be found further afield. With so many choices, impressive shopping mall is
Vilnius has evolved into a shopper’s paradise. Europa, which brands itself as
a fashion and style centre.
Markets
Traditional Arts and
The most extraordinary market
in Lithuania is Gariūnai, loca ted Crafts
next to Vilnius’s towering water- Shops and stalls selling
heating facility, about 5 km traditional Lithuanian arts and
(3 miles) southwest of the city crafts are most easily found
centre. The market sells along Pilies, Didžioji and
everything from cheap clothes, Aušros vartų streets. Prices
shoes, toys, toiletries and vary, so it is best to scan the
cosmetics to food, gadgets and market stalls before buying
even cars. Traders come from One of the paintings for sale on anything. Quaint outlets selling
far and wide to sell their wares Pilies gatvė handmade artifacts at cheaper
and, unlike at other markets in rates are tucked away in
the country, bargaining is which mostly stocks a variety the narrow lanes leading
widely practised in Gariūnai. It of fresh fruit and vegetables, off the Old Town artery.
is open from sunrise to lunch- cheese, meat and cakes. Linen & Amber Studio, a
time every day of the week chain of gift shops, is among
except Mondays. The best the best places to find
time to visit the market is on Fashion and Clothing handicrafts made of amber and
weekend mornings. The spruced-up Gedimino flax. These shops stretch up the
At the southern edge of the prospektas is the best place to entire length of Pilies gatvė
Old Town, near the bus and shop for clothes and footwear. and beyond; the one on Stiklių
train stations, is Halės Market, Gedimino 9, one of the new gatvė is among the largest.

Market stall displaying traditional amber jewellery in Vilnius’s Old Town