This post is expected to raise interest to shopping lovers. Below you’ll find my favourite five European shopping destinations. The following cities offer you the ability to make purchases ranging from cheap buys up to expensive designers – the choices are endless.
London Oxford Street
1. London, UK
London is one of the best places for shopping, specially during its big sales during the Christmas period. The best places are the famous Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden. Other areas which are enjoyable for shopping include Russells Square (Brunswick) or Enfield Town (Palace Gardens). There are also many shopping malls e.g. Westfield and Hammersmith Broadway. Here you’ll find all the high-street shops with the best prices. Brent Cross shopping centre is another place you can go shopping in North West London.
For more luxury purchases visit Knightsbridge and step into Harrods. Don’t forget Selfridge & Co in Oxford Street. For a more characteristic shopping taste visit Camden Markets in Camden Town.
Sales Period: The big sales start on Boxing Day (26/12) and end around mid January. Summer sales start around min June and end around mid July. If you’re in London beginning the sales period make sure to go shopping early in the morning.
2. Athens, Greece
McArthurGlen Athens Outlet
I love shopping here. You can find anything from leather goods around Monastiraki area and its surrounding small markets – called Monastiraki Flea Area. You will find chic stores in Kolonaki and Tsakalof Street or by visiting Attica. For more down to the earth shopping try Ermou Street and the Mall of Athens. If you wish to purchase branded clothing visit the McArthurGlen Athens outlet or the Factory Outlet. I prefer McArthurGlen since it’s big with many brands and it’s surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
Sales Period: Summer sales start mid-July and run throughout the end of August whilst winter sales begin mid-January and run throughout the end of February.
3. Brussels, Belgium
Avenue Louise in Brussels
In Brussels you can find all sorts of shops in Rue Neuve and Avenue Louise. In the lower part you’ll find exclusive designer shops (Avenue Louise) and in Rue Neuve you’ll find some of the big high street chains which are able to suit all tastes and all purses. At the top of Rue Neuve you’ll find the City2 Shopping Mall with some shops (I prefer the shops outside).
Sales Period: The winter sales begin on the 3rd of January until the end of the month and the summer sales begin on the 1st of July and last for a month. Believe me, if you are in Brussels within this period you’ll get some real bargains.
4. Milan, Italy
Vittrio Emanuele II in Milan,
Italy is considered the capital of fashion and Milan one of most popular shopping destination. The best shopping areas for are the high-street shopping streets in corso Buenos Aires, via Torino or corso Vittorio Emanuele; Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a historic shopping spot with designer shops near the Duomo. In Bergamo you can find Italian fashion labels at half the price that the centre of Milan offers. If you wish to travel out of the town you may visit the Foxtown outlet which is just across the Swiss border.
Sales Period: Summer sales begin early July (first Saturday) whilst winter sales right After the Christmas holidays in January.
5. Berlin, Germany
Alexa Shopping Center in Berlin
The sourrounding Alexanderplatz area provides you various department stores, shops and the Alexa shopping center. If you wish to do some shopping for a few hours I would advise you to visit Alexa with its 180 stores. Friedrichstraße (in English Frederick Street) is Berlin’s traditional shopping street and a major culture street in central Berlin.
No particular dates for sales period here.
I hope you have found this European shopping destinations interesting. Please leave a comment with you favourite European shopping destinations.
