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Poles simply love to go shopping, so much so that the government had to step in to prevent families from spending their entire weekends in shopping malls (see below). Indeed Warsaw is home to some of Central Europe's most modern malls, where fashion, food, gastronomy, culture, entertainment and other services all meet under one roof. At the extremes, the capital offers old school open-air markets as well as luxury boutique shopping (primarily along ul. Nowy Świat and ul. Mokotowska), with plenty of family-run businesses in between. For visitors, Warsaw represents an opportunity to shop exclusive designer brands, catch bargains on known commodities or find forgotten treasures. Whatever your interest or impulse, you'll surely find plenty to spend your well-earned złoty on. Happy hunting!
Poland's Sunday Shopping Ban*
Shops have traditionally had more limited hours on weekends, but since 2018 government regulations have increasingly restricted Sunday trading in Poland in hopes of encouraging citizens to return to a more ‘traditional’ family Sunday. Although phased in gradually, there are now only 7 Sundays in the entire year when shops are allowed to be open. Of course, there are some exemptions from the ban - namely pharmacies, gas stations, kiosks, bakeries, open-air markets, Żabka convenience stores (most of which close at 23:00), souvenir shops (oh thank god), package pick-up points, and any establishment where the owners themselves are behind the counter on Sunday.
When you see an asterisk* after the Sunday hours in our guide, that means the venue is closed on Sundays, aside from 7 special 'shopping Sundays' each year.
