5 of the best European cities for retail therapy

Once upon a time, to utter the words “shopping holiday” would perhaps instantly evoke visions of strutting down 5th Avenue clutching a barrage of shopping bags, a foam Statue of Liberty crown jauntily balanced on your head.

While New York will probably always remain a retail therapy favourite, for those shrewd bargain lovers among us, it is perhaps wise these days to set your sets little closer to home. With many European cities offering a feast of shopping delights varying from eclectic vintage markets to cutting-edge boutiques, not only would you be guaranteed superb finds but given the current dollar to sterling exchange rate, would also get a lot more bang for your buck. With a shorter flight time to one of the following destinations, this also means another major plus: more time to shop!

Berlin

Berlin’s reputation for knocking the current zeitgeist on the head is one that is swiftly growing by the day. There’s a thriving fashion and art scene, so why not hit up some of city’s stores supporting some of the local talent? Located next to Auguststrasse, in a former gallery space turned boutique, Konk is a must for picking up some fresh fashion by up-and-coming German designers.

Concept stores are big business in Berlin. For carefully curated offerings ranging from interiors to accessories, SÜPER STORE on Dieffenbachstr is home to changing exhibitions of unique crafts and new designs. Meanwhile, Baerck boasts the perfect mix of fashion lines by new and established designers.

In the heart of Berlin’s Neukölln neighbourhood, The Good Store is fun little vintage hub ideal for an afternoon browse. Alternatively, check out Temporary Showroom, a retailer offering an amazing assortment of clothing. Though don’t let its name fool you. This minimalist store has been chilling in Berlin since 1999.

If there’s one thing Berlin’s known for, it’s dance music. Needless to say, record stores are thriving here. Discover some local music and snap up some vinyl at music meccas Hard Wax or Oye. Word to the wise though, perhaps leave your Justin Bieber purchases at home. Such a request would not be likely to go down to well here…

Barcelona

Barcelona has long been one of Europe’s retail capitals, with many a shopaholic succumbing to its smorgasbord of stores lining bustling Las Ramblas and beyond. For homespun garments at a fraction of the price you would normally pay back in the UK, head to The Portal de l’Àngel for the likes of high-street essentials Zara, Mango and Desiqual.

Once a known for being a tad rough around the edges, the revitalised El Raval neighbourhood now has shoppers flocking to its streets. The achingly-hip Carrer de la Riera Baixa is the ultimate vintage lover’s dream with stores such as Lailo, La Vella Maia, Motel and DeFaralaee brandishing a vast collection of unique, retro pieces.

For photography advocates, The Impossible Project is a colourful store-slash-gallery touting books, films and collectables. Meanwhile, for all those craft beer enthusiasts out there, The Beer Shop is a thirst-quenching emporium offering a formidable assortment of beers from around the world. Looking for jewellery that’s both affordable and stylish in equal measures? Pass by D-lirio, a chic Catalonia brand, famed for its exquisite array of pieces.

Yep, you may leave Barcelona needing to check in another bag or two…

Milan

For those who like to indulge in the finer things in life and those who simply just enjoy to dream, Milan is the ultimate for luxury shopping. Or window-shopping…

This is a city that oozes glamour, in particular the so-called Quadrilatero d’Oro “Golden Rectangle” which is home to high-end stores including Armani, Varsace and Roberto Cavalli to name but a few. Nearby is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, which is not only a total architectural gem but also the world’s oldest shopping centre.

With luxury goods left right and centre, Milan is also a hotspot for outlet stores, allowing designer threads to be a touch more accessible for shoppers of varying budgets. While many are pop-ups, tempting folk for a limited time only, there are also more permanent fixtures. Billed as the city’s largest outlet, The Highline Outlet features an impressive designer shoe selection at knockdown prices. For bargain Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana and Vivienne Westwood, head to the legendary D Magazine Outlet on Via Montenapoleone. Fans of Burberry, Dsquared and Moschino, meanwhile, should have a peek at Il Salvagente Via Fratelli Bronzetti.

Spending a long weekend in Milan and really want to make the most of living the high life on the cheap? Then depart for Fidenza Village, just outside of the city. Here you will find top brands like Michael Kors & Marni at 70% off the retail price.

Prague

The wild card of the equation, Prague is a relatively new shopping destination, but definitely one rising up the ranks. There’s a rich mix of local design stores, vintage outlets and, of course, a multitude of shopping malls. Prague’s main shopping area is centred round Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city.

If you’re willing to splash the cash, head towards Pařížská, a short walk from the square. The aptly named “Paris Street” is designer heaven with labels such as Gucci, Fendi and Jimmy Choo all setting up camp on this beautiful, tree-lined street.

For those with an affinity for all things retro, local favourite Botas66 is an absolute must. This cult shoe store has its roots in Czechoslovakia and would most certainly make for a nice little souvenir to pop into your carry-on. Feeling the vintage vibe? Then have a gander in such vintage meccas as Praha Thrift store or Second-hand Fifty Fifty and nab yourself some unashamedly good bargains.

With a sleek, minimalist interior (despite being crammed with a whole ton of books) Page Five is an alluring book store not to be missed, attracting many a young urbanite to its doors with its inspiring collection of art publications, authorial prints and art periodicals. Art lovers will also fall in love with Kubista Design Store. This is a store that stocks wonderfully whimsical furniture and interiors from the Art Deco and Cubanism periods.

Paris

The city synonymous with the word fashion is home to some of the most famed designers in the world. Many of the designer flagship stores are situated along the city’s iconic boulevard – Avenue Des Champs-Élysées – which is handy if you also want to have a goggle at the Arc de Triomphe, which is only a stone’s throw away.

For those hoping for a deal in designer threads, it’s definitely worth checking out vintage paradise Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen. Make your way to Au Grenier de Lucie and Les Merveilles de Baellou, stores which specialise in stunning costume jewellery (if you’re feeling fancy). Next, make a beeline for Mandana Vintage Paris and Artémise et Cunégonde. The rails of these stores boast an enviable selection of designer vintage – the likes of Givenchy, Dior and Hermès, among others. Find yourself on a bit of a spending spree? Then drop by Des Voyages and snap up a vintage Louis Vuitton Trunk to carry all your wares back home.

Lastly, no shopping trip to Paris would be complete without picking up a bottle of wine from Legrand Fille et Fils on Rue de La Banque. Their wine selection is unbelievable to say the least. What better way to cheers to a successful day’s shopping? Or perhaps mourn over a depleted bank balance. Whatever the case, at least you’ll be looking fabulous.