6 Berlin hotspots where you can shop till you drop
Berlin is considered a shoppers paradise by many. Its affluent and trendy population makes the city a sought after location for global brands and small, independent traders alike.
Regardless of its other attractive features such as its buzzing nightlife, stunning architecture and interesting history, plenty of people visit Berlin every year purely to seek out the delightful shopping experience it has to offer.
If you are considering a trip to Berlin you are in the right place. In this guide, we walk you through 6 of the best shopping streets and neighborhoods in Germany’s capital city. So whether you are into the latest designer trends or finding a vintage bargain this guide has something to get excited about.
1. Kurfürstendamm
We can’t start a guide to Berlin shopping hotspots without starting with the best-known and best-loved shopping area of them all: Kurfürstendamm. This street is packed full of department stores and major brand chains and is often referred to as the German equivalent of the Champs-Élysées.
Running from Breitscheidplatz to Halensee, Kurfürstendamm offers shoppers with a suave style the opportunity to browse luxurious brands such as Hermès, Valentino and Chanel as well as established fashion brands including Zara and H&M.
Kurfürstendamm runs into Wittenbergplatz which is home to Germany’s best known department store KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens - Department Store of the West). This department store gives shoppers access to over 60,000 square meters of luxury and chain retail space.
With so much choice, you will probably end up looking for somewhere to have a drink, eat and relax. As luck would have it, Kurfürstendamm is also home to Berlin’s Hard Rock Cafe.
2. Friedrichstraße
For those with a particular interest in luxury shopping, Friedrichstraße is another must-not-miss shopping location in Berlin. Lined with designer brands and luxurious boutiques, this street is also home to Galeries Lafayette.
Galeries Lafayette is a department store with a look and feel which you may be surprised to find in the centre of Berlin, which is typically known for its block construction. The french owned store brings a touch of French style and fashion to the German capital. Hosting a huge number of brands including Armani, Boss and Lacoste, Galeries Lafayette is also home to a number of annual events, great places to eat and even its own library.
Outside of Galeries Lafayette, you will also find the usual sought after chain stores you would expect to find in a European capital including The Body Shop, Karl Lagerfield and Zara.
3. Akazienstraße
If big, bustling shopping streets filled with international brands aren’t your thing, or if you just fancy a change of scene, Akazienstraße is a great shopping street to check out. Here you are less likely to find the big brands you are used to. Instead, Akazienstraße offers shoppers a more cosy, intimate and independent neighborhood vibe.
Located between Grunewaldstraße and Hauptstraße in Schöneberg, start your day sipping coffee in one of Akazienstraße many charming cafes. Then, get up and browse some of the long-established boutiques, including acoté, Strumpf Boutique Karin Reiter, and Greta & Luis.
If you visit Berlin in the warmer months, renowned ice cream parlour Vanille and Marille is well worth a visit.
4. Bergmannstraße & Oranienstraße
Another great shopping neighborhood, which is well worth a visit, especially for those who are into unusual, trendy and "kitsch" products, is Bergmannstraße & Oranienstraße. This shopping area offers hours upon hours of opportunities to browse small shops for everything from junk items to antiques.
The crowd here tends to be young, fashionable and painfully trendy. But instead of getting hung up whether you are "cool enough" to fit in, it is well worth getting stuck in and enjoying everything the area has to offer. You will find the in-crowd getting lost amongst the record crates in Coretex Records or browsing for vintage treasures in Collect Boutique and Vintage Living.
5. Hackescher Markt
The Hackescher Markt area of Berlin has a chilled vibe and is home to stores selling both established brands, as well as some exciting new talented designers.
Get lost in the Hackesche Höfe, where you can browse art galleries, relax in cafes and visit one of its many boutiques. Add a little bit of extra colour to your life by visiting the TUKADU Jewellery store or go more traditional with a beautiful piece from Schmuckwerk.
If you shop for long enough, you will find the area also becomes a very popular spot for nightlife.
6. Schönhauser Allee
Another Berlin hotspot for shopping, especially finding great vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces is Schönhauser Allee. Here you will discover a stretch of cafes, restaurants and interesting boutiques.
Take a stroll to Schönhauser Design and grab yourself a piece of unique, vintage furniture. Or if you are into more simple, contemporary designs you can visit Basic-Berlin - leben & wohnen to fulfill your needs.
Berlin Shopping Hotspots
If you have a love of shopping, then you are sure to fall in love with the variety that Berlin has to offer. From the luxury brands of Friedrichstraße and global chain stores of Kurfürstendamm to finding vintage gems in Schönhauser Allee and Bergmannstraße & Oranienstraße, you are sure to find a shopping neighborhood that meets your needs.
There are few other places in Europe that offer quite so much when it comes to unique and bustling shopping areas. When you pair Berlin’s rich culture, history, art and buzzing nightlife with the shopping delights it has to offer, it is no surprise that Germany’s capital welcomes over 5 million visitors a year.