Berlin is home to a countless supply of Shopping areas and Plazas which cater for any need. Whether youre looking for designer clothing to the most contemporary carpet, Berlin has everything you need!
Berlin also caters to each and every individuals budget, from Designer clothing to cheaper markets and shops. Although there are hundreds of small businesses and shops located throughout Berlin, there are four main centers that provide the main retail essence of the city.
The Potsdamer Platz Arcades have been recently built at the heart of Berlin and offer a wide range of shopping needs. The Plaza contains around 120 shops that include; clothing, furniture, utensils, restaurants, wineries and many more. This Plaza has become famous for its wide range of Designer clothing with brands such as Eddie Bauer, H &M, Hallhuber, Mango, Zara and many more. When youve finished shopping, you can sit and relax at the many fountains spread throughout the center or sit down at one of the many restaurant areas for a meal with friends and family. Not only will you be able to search the three floored center for many great bargains, but you will also be able to see just how the New Centre has developed and look at historical sites showing the history of the bombings that took place in the area.
Friedrichstrasse is perhaps the most beautiful and elegant of shopping centers within Berlin. It contains three sections that all incorporate into one fantastic and sublime center for the modern shopper. But be warned, these centers are for the upper end of the market, and with stores such as Gucci and Armani, it may be difficult to shop for cheaper items. Nonetheless, I suggest at least taking a look at the Plaza and enjoy the art deco atmosphere, which you cant help but feel inspired by. The Shopping centre can be found between the two underground stations, Stadtmitte and Französische Strasse.
Kurfuerstendamm and Tauentzienstrasse are the two areas that have converged to become a shopping mile within the Capital. This amazing stretch of shops creates the perfect family day out with goods for every member of the family. You can find an amazing diversity in styles and fashion as well as in price categories. It is in this area that the Europa centre can be found, and with it, a selection of over 100 shops to choose from. Rather than being specialised shops or large retail names, these shops focus on souvenirs and collectables with a diverse magnitude of childrens products. The famous KADEWE center can also be found here which provides a vibrant, and more importantly, tasty cuisine for all ages.
Hackescher Markt is the place to visit if youre into the Café culture and shopping for less mainstream products. The Market has been a developing site for new businesses and booming industries since the 50s and is now home to the classic stalls and antique areas. The Market area is rife with Bohemian atmosphere and would appeal to the older; perhaps more intellectual person as its shopping market focuses on cultural fashion ranging from extraordinary shoes to fashion from young designers. Well known for its flair and diversity for casual items and jewellery, this area of Berlin is most certainly a place to visit. The market has its own train station so is easily accessible from all areas of central Berlin.
Other than these four main shopping areas of Berlin, you may wish to travel slightly away from the center of the city and explore other domains. In areas on the outer edge of the city, many second hand shops are located that provide very reasonable prices for a variety of clothing types. From young to old, these shops will have what youre looking for in some shape or form.
One last area that I would advise to visit is that of Hackesche Höfe. Although this area is not as specialised for high commercial goods in Berlin, it does integrate a vibrant shopping atmosphere with many lively events during the later evening. This is a must see as there are many events that take place such as Carnivals and Market places.
