The Best of Shopping in Berlin
The fashion stage will be set next week in Berlin. The first Berlin Fashion Week of 2019 will take place January 15th through 18th across the city, where established designers and young artists will take the spotlight to show off their creations. The Senate Department of Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises supports the event by selecting Berlin-based designers to present to the fashion world during this time, and it will be exciting to see what will be hot in Autumn 2019/Winter 2020.
It is no surprise that Berlin often plays host to the stylish set, but all of this fashion and style buzz got us thinking — what are the best streets and neighborhoods for shopping in Berlin? Archer Relocation shares their favorites below in the spirit of Berlin Fashion Week.
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash.
Area Around Kufürstendamm
Shopping in Berlin requires a visit to the famous Ku’damm, a street adorned with every high-end fashion label you can imagine. From Valentino to Louis Vuitton to Armani — it is all covered on this stretch of 2.5 KM, tree-lined avenue. Very near the start of the grand Ku’damm, you will find the famed KaDeWe department store. No one should leave Berlin without at least riding the escalator through the floors of fashion to the food hall, where you can gift chocolates and cheese or just relax with a glass of champagne and oysters.
After you have filled your shopping bags and stomachs, walk a few blocks to Bikini Berlin just in front of the Berlin Zoo. This self-dubbed “Concept Shopping Mall” has carefully selected small brands with unique designs, in keeping with the location’s history as a center for over 60 fashion brands before the Berlin Wall was built. Two of our favorites are Artek and Blutsgeschwister. Grab a coffee on the bottom floor and make eyes at the monkeys in the Berlin Zoo through the floor-to-ceiling window.
Aside from Ku’damm, the neighborhood just to the northwest near Savignyplatz is lovely for smaller shops. Book lovers must visit Marga Schoeller Bücherstube, and those looking for unique scents should venture no farther than Belle Rebelle.
Photo @visitBerlin.de and Dagmar Schwelle.
Mitte – Alte and Neue Schönhauser Str. and Rosenthaler Str.
Shopping in Berlin’s eastern neighborhoods could not be more different than what you will experience on Ku’damm in the west. There is no better area to experience this diversity than in Mitte. The trendsetter, lala Berlin, that originated here in the city over 14 years ago, houses its flagship store at the top of Alte Schönhauser Str. Many mainstream brands, like Urban Outfitters and Converse, can be found in the area around Munzstraße. Our favorite smaller shops, however, are Schee for unique prints and European gifts and Storia for men’s and women’s styles. Stop for a brownie and latte at Five Elephant Coffee, a coffee roastery institution.
Rykestraße
Not only is Rykestraße’s place in Berlin history important due to its beautiful and resilient synagogue, but this street in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood is one of the best destinations if you desire small designers and high-end concept stores. All Berlin shopping needs can be fulfilled here from home goods and fancy papers in Skandi-style at ting to fair-fashion-focused studio and shop, Patkas. After perusing the many shops that pepper the street, you will certainly crave Kaffee und Kuchen at No Fire No Glory or a nice gin cocktail in the early evening from Bryk Bar (just off of Rykestraße).
Suarezstraße
Don’t limit yourself only to current fashion when shopping in Berlin. Due to the vast history of the city, there are many antiques and relics to be hunted. There is no better place to find concentrated antique offerings than on Charlottenburg’s Suarezstraße. Antique jewelry from the early 20th century, vintage sewing boxes, mid-century furniture, and Art Nouveau tiles are treasures you can gift or keep for your Berlin flat. Hit up Neumanns Antiquitäten for design staples and then make your way down the street trying on vintage leather jackets and hats. The beautiful Lietzensee is just a block away and provides a nice resting spot for a coffee on a sunny day.
Friedrichstraße
We like to call Friedrichstraße the “smaller cousin” of Ku’damm. Not quite as upscale in atmosphere, this street still offers some high-end retailers like Escada and Hugo Boss. You will also find mid-range brands like & Other Stories and Zara on this stretch. Galeries Lafayette on the corner of Jågerstraße brings a little piece of Paris to Berlin. The store’s food floor is not to be missed offering a cheese counter in line with French expectations and sometimes Perigord Truffles.
Inspiration for style and fashion can be found pretty much anywhere you look in Berlin, whether it is on the street or in the shops. However, the neighborhood you frequent during your time shopping in Berlin will all depend on the vibe you seek. Viel Spaß!
Contribution by Julie Schoen.
Julie is the founder of Track the Town. A runner for 22 years, Julie leads running tours of Berlin’s neighbourhoods to introduce visitors to lesser-known historical sights, cool restaurants, and unique bars.
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Archer Relocation has been providing relocation services to families, individuals and companies in Berlin since early 2015. Managing Director, Emily Archer, founded the company desiring to use her first-hand experience as an expat to make the relocation process as smooth as possible for others moving to Berlin. Read other useful information about moving to and living in Berlin, such as ‘How to Find a Berlin Apartment’, on our Berlin Blog.
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