Shopping in Poznan

Yes, that’s a Burberry store you see in Poznań. And Armani. Even Versace. You can wander through the vast, award-winning Stary Browar mall or the expansive Galeria Malta on scenic Lake Malta and spend złotys until you’ve solved the European debt crisis. But if you’re bringing gifts back to show your loved ones what a trip to Poznań is like, a Burberry bag made in London won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve made suggestions for what to get for your list of nearest and dearest that actually says, “I went to Poland.”

Wife or girlfriend
Yes is a Poland-wide chain of jewellery stores you can find in nearly any mall, however the store on Paderewskiego off the Rynek in Poznań is set up as a showcase of Polish jewellery artists that constantly rotate through the store. Find amberwood earrings by Marta Włodarska or a sparkly pendant by Tomek Ogrodowski.

Husband or boyfriend
One word: alcohol. Take home any variety of Poland’s famous vodka and a few bottles of local lager and you’ll make any man happy. Ministerstwo Browaru is a miniscule basement shop that is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bottles (including making their own brews) while Świat Alkoholi (that’s ‘World of Alcohol’ to you) lives up to its moniker.

Brother
Euro 2012 fever has gripped Poland, and Intersport at Stary Browar is the official shop for licensed Euro 2012 apparel. Grab your brother an array of t-shirts and sweatshirts bearing the colourful Euro 2012 insignia and he’ll feel like his sporting best.

Sister
If sis is a stylish gal head to Coco Boutique near the Rynek to pick up modern designs that are sure to please – even the simple accessories will impress if you don’t know her size. For high-end options visit the Stary Browar shopping mall, but don’t let the impressive architecture distract from your mission.

Child
For something a bit nicer than what the overstuffed souvenir stalls on the Stary Rynek have to offer visit Salon Posnania, a souvenir shop where the word ‘tacky’ doesn’t even come into play. We like the child’s t-shirt with the famous city hall butting goats comically rendered in the recognizable Poznan blue.

Mom
When we think of what mom would like, one word comes to mind: amber. Poland is renowned for its handsomely shaped fossilized resin, and you can easily find mom a piece of unique jewellery. Świat Bursztynu makes amber shopping easy since it is literally all they carry. Another option is W. Kruk, the oldest jewellery company in Poland and highly revered as a result.

Dad
If your dad is anything like ours he can lose hours of his life in interesting vintage bookshops. Poznan is packed with them, and Antykwariat just off the Stary Rynek is one of the best for old postcards, unique prints, old books and yellowing maps from last century.