Sweden is bursting with shops filled to the brim with miscellaneous items, some of which may be exorbitantly expensive. Bargains might be hard to find, as it takes a lot of time and effort to find good value shops. Souvenirs and gifts are always a decent option, although the Swedish value the wellbeing of their craftsmen so highly that sky-high prices are more the norm than the exception. A typical example is Swedish glassware, a world renowned product of remarkable craftsmanship. Wooden objects are also of very good quality, as well as Swedish birch furniture, sweets of all kinds, locally designed toys, reindeer gloves, hand-knitted woolen clothing, sweaters and mittens, clogs, and handicrafts from the country’s various provinces. The top Swedish souvenir however  remains the Dala Horse, a painted wooden figurine.

Shopping in the capital usually takes place in the Gamla Stan area, which is Stockholm’s oldest part filled with historic edifices and wonderful attractions. A major street here is the expensive Västerlånggatan, which abounds in specialty stores and antique shops. Skansen and the Kungsgatan are further shopping venues, which are especially known for their displays of local handicrafts and traditional gifts. Apart from the numerous gift shops, you will  find an array of kiosks, as well as see craftsmen selling their produce directly on the street. The Sergels Torg district includes the immense shopping centre of Gallerian, and an incredible choice of department stores. The pedestrian arcade of Drottninggatan is also brimming with shops selling miscellaneous items, while the SOFO, a contemporary shopping district geared towards a more upscale clientele, can be found on the island of Sodermalm. The island, however, also maintains a rather artistic and youth-oriented atmosphere.

If shopping outside the capital, good options include Malmo and Kalmar. Malmo’s pedestrian shopping hubs are limited to the Södergatan and the Södra Förstadsgatan streets offering a series of specialty shops as well as the regular range of high-end merchandise plus traditional crafts. The city’s Hansa shopping complex maintains over 40 shops, selling Swedish glass plus fashion clothing, and a good food court. Kalmar is a good place for antiques and traditional glassware, head for Esplanaden and the Olof Palmes streets, as well as at the Milingsgatan Street if interested. The town also has a couple of decent art galleries.