Berlin tends to be more of a cultural destination than a typical place to go shopping, but those who wish to do so will find plenty of areas full of boutiques and shopping centers.
Ku'Damm
The "shopping" avenue in Berlin is Ku'Damm – short for Kurfürstendamm –, in West Berlin. The best option to go shopping in Berlin is Ku'Damm Avenue, as you can find a lot of different shops and malls throughout: from high street mainstream stores to high-end luxury brands, you can also find some less known designers as well as outlets and souvenir shops. If you prefer more exclusive shops, be sure to also check the streets around the avenue, especially Breitscheidplatz and Olivaer Platz.
Tauentzienstrasse
Another street located in Charlottenburg, West Berlin, is Tauentzienstrasse and its intersecting streets: Marburger, Ranke, and Nürnberger. Together they offer a variety of German and international shops and brands, mostly specializing in women's clothing.
Aside from the fact that stores on Tauentzienstrasse are generally less expensive than those on Ku'Damm, you will also find that the largest closed shopping center in the city (at the moment) is located there. The Europa Center has around 75 shops, restaurants and cafes. At the end of the street, you can find the most iconic department store in Berlin: the KaDeWe.
Exclusive stores
An updated version of the Europa Center is the Uhland Passage, on Uhlandstrasse 170, where you will find some of the best boutiques in Berlin, as well as the most well-known brands.
The most exclusive shops in Berlin can be found on Kempinski Plaza, on Uhlandstrasse 181-183, and they are ideal for those who seek quality clothing and accessories rather than what is known as fast fashion.
In Berlin‘s east side – an area formerly populated almost exclusively by souvenir shops – there is now Berlin's most elegant shopping center, standing on Friedrichstrasse.
Bargains
Berlin is a great place to find bargains, especially if you like second hand stuff, vintage and thrifting finds. For this we recommend Wilmersdorferstrasse, but be sure to avoid weekends!
Alexa and Alexanderplatz
The most inexpensive shops in East Berlin are located around Alexanderplatz. Not only the shopping mall Alexa, where you can also visit Loxxs Berlin miniature model, but also in the square itself and, from there, in the direction of Hackescher Markt – where you will find popular high street brands as well as independent designer shops.
Potsdamer Platz Arkaden
Finally, one of the most surprising aspects of the reconstructed and redesigned Potsdamer Platz is the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden, a three-story shopping center with more than 100 stores.
Potsdamer Platz was formerly one of the most important and impressive shopping centers in Berlin, until its demolition in the post-war period. In 1998 the Potsdamer Platz reopened its doors with modern buildings, bars and cafes. Today it is a residential and commercial area, with shopping, entertainment center and very modern buildings – some even futuristic, such as the Sony Center.
More alternative shopping
If you prefer some other more authentic clothes and accessories, we recommend that you take a look into the Green Fashion Tours Berlin. You can book a tour with them or check their tour map here.
The most popular areas:
Prenzlauer Berg: known as the place for kids and babies in Berlin. There are many independent and high quality shops all around Kastanienallee and Eberswaldstrasse (mainly) for adults and for children alike: from established Berlin designers of mens and womenswear to indie manufacturers of eco-conscious children‘s toys and clothing.
Friedrichshain: an area where design meets punk. Around the Simon Dach Strasse and parallel streets, you can find many small stores with more casual but stylish clothes, but also some vintage wear – ideal for those who want to remember the golden years in Berlin, or are just into incorporating pieces of nostalgia into their wardrobe.
Kreuzkölln: this area has a lot to offer, so much that we have written a whole blog post about it (click here). You can find really good independent designers and high quality stores around the Wesserstrasse and Friedelstrasse.
Most of the shops in Berlin are open Monday through Friday from 09:00 or 10:00 until 18:00 or 18:30. Some even stay open until later on Thursdays, usually until 8:30 p.m. The hours on Saturdays are from 09:00 or 10:00 to 14:00 or 16:00, depending on the type of shop. Local and more independent stores may close earlier on Saturday, while high street mainstream stores usually close at around the same time as during the week.
If you want to read about flea markets, be sure to check this post: Flea markets in Berlin: Shop like a Berliner
