From gourmet food halls and independent boutiques to designer fashion and antique collectibles, Europe is a shopper’s paradise. Pick up small-batch olive oil and leather goods in Italy, designer homeware in Copenhagen, high-fashion in Paris, and stylish vintage pieces in London and Stockholm. Just remember to pack a credit card and an empty suitcase to bring all of your finds back home.
If you have an upcoming vacation in Europe and shopping is a top priority, here are the best shopping cities in Europe where you’re sure to find all sorts of treasures.
London
Oxford Street, London
As one of the best shopping cities in Europe, London draws sage shoppers from around the world. If you’re looking for an all-under-one-roof hit, make your way to Harrods in Knightsbridge or Selfridges on Oxford Street. These shopping meccas cater towards the luxury market with high-end fashion, accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Harrods serves a fun afternoon tea on its fourth floor, while Selfridges features a hair and beauty salon. They also offer bespoke stationery, perfume, homeware, and technology across multiple, well-styled floors.
Liberty, the oldest department store in this European capital city, is a delightful spot known for its Tudor-style architecture in the middle of the lively West End. Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly is another must-visit for its fancy teas, delicious English biscuits, and glamorous Champagne Bar.
Mayfair, London
At Mayfair, London’s most exclusive neighborhood, you’ll find designer brands such as Maison Goyard on Mount Street for exquisite leather goods, Penhaligon’s on Brook Street for luxury perfumes, and Savile Row for tailoring. Meanwhile, Fendi, Tory Burch, Chanel, and Hermès can be found on the boutique-lined New Bond Street.
London’s eclectic shopping scene also sets it apart from other cities. In hip East London, the Columbia Road Flower Market takes place every Sunday. It’s a visual feast filled with vendors trading bucket loads of flowers flanked by cafes and concept stores.
Stop by Notting Hill’s Portobello Market for vintage items and antiques, while the iconic King’s Road in Chelsea and Carnaby Street in Soho offer a mix of independent labels and high-street brands.
Score a gourmet gift to take home at Borough Market near London Bridge. Once you’ve worked your way around London’s famed foodie hotspot, settle down for a pint of Guinness with a round of Morecambe Bay oysters at Wright Brothers Borough Market.
Barcelona
Boqueria, Barcelona
Barcelona makes the list of the best shopping cities in Europe for its vibrant markets, independent boutiques, and its superb pantry of gourmet treats.
Make a beeline for the 13th-century Boqueria, one of the best shopping spots in Barcelona and arguably one of the best food markets in the world. The market is always filled with locals, tourists, chefs, and restaurateurs looking to bag the best produce in the city.
The overwhelming number of stalls means it’s best to take a strategic approach: start with a coffee at one of the counter bars and plan your route around the maze of vendors selling fresh fruit, bread, spices, wines, sherries, meats, cheeses, and fish.
Take home sweet Spanish souvenirs sourced from the Chocolate Museum’s gift shop and stop by Queviures Múrria, purveyors of the finest Spanish preserves, cured meats, sherries, wines, and cheeses.
Read: The Ultimate Barcelona Food Guide
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
To the east of La Rambla, wander the historic Gothic Quarter to discover independent boutiques and fun concept stores, stopping by Nostra Ciutat near Barcelona Cathedral for its collection of homeware, jewelry, stationery, and fun art prints by Catalan artisans.
Santa Eulalia, located near the iconic Spain landmark Casa Milà, is one of Barcelona’s finest designer boutiques for men and women that also offers bespoke tailoring. Opened in 1843, browse the chic collections and if you’re keen to be fitted at Catalan’s most coveted couturier, be sure to book an appointment well in advance.
Plaça de Catalunya is the location of El Corte Inglés, the largest department store brand in Europe, which is another great option if you’re looking for essential items, high-street brands, and designer treats all under one roof.
Read: Three Days in Barcelona
Copenhagen
Strøget, Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a true champion of independent shopping, whimsical concept stores, handmade confectionery outlets, and homegrown fashion labels. The city’s main shopping street is Strøget, a pedestrianized thoroughfare where you’ll find everything from Hermès to H&M.
The bustling street runs from City Hall Square to Kongens Nytorv square, which means you can tick off some of the fascinating central landmarks while you’re busy browsing the stores, even if you only have one day in Copenhagen.
Admire the exquisite porcelain pieces at Royal Copenhagen’s flagship store, located in an extraordinary three-story Renaissance building that dates back to 1616. The store sells the complete Royal Copenhagen range, from chintzy figurines to beautiful dinner sets, cups, and serving items.
Vesterbro, Copenhagen
When it comes to fashion, By Malene Birger is one of Denmark’s best-loved designer labels with a boutique on Antonigade in the city’s historic Old Town. Explore the line’s contemporary women’s pieces and browse the nearby American Vintage outlet for cool one-off items.
If you’re looking to pick up something a little more offbeat, Norrebro and Vesterbro are the two neighborhoods you’ll want to explore. You’ll find small labels and specialty stores selling items including ceramics, books, art, jewelry, wine, and fashion.
Pick up a handmade hat at Wilgart, eco-friendly homeware at Gagron on Jægersborggade street, and gorgeous gifts and trinkets at Dora, on the corner of Værnedamsvej and Tullinsgade.
When you’ve had your fill of the city’s fabulous shopping, you’ll find an abundance of coffee shops, cocktail bars, and craft ale houses in Norrebro and Vesterbro.
Paris
Champs-Élysées, Paris
The mix of big-name ateliers, historic department stores, and hip boutiques make Paris one of the best shopping cities in Europe. Uncover the source of Parisians’ effortless style in the Marais, where you’ll find art, antiques, and independent fashion labels among the boulangeries and patisseries of Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Rue des Rosiers, and on Place des Vosges.
Strut down the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement, one of the longest shopping boulevards in Europe and largely recognized as one of the most attractive in the world. The Champs-Élysées runs from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe and is one of the destinations Paris is famous for. Home to many global brands, you’ll find Nike, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Massimo Dutti, Guerlain, and Cartier here, among many others.
Stop off at the pretty Laduree bakery, specializing in delicate macarons, chocolates, and other sweet treats.
Read: One Day in Paris
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris
For the ultimate shopping in France, flex your plastic at the upmarket Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, the Parisian equivalent of Saks Fifth Avenue, famed for its stunning Art Nouveau glass-domed ceiling. The decadent seven-story building sells designer fashion brands, childrenswear, perfume, and cosmetics. There’s even an entire floor dedicated to lingerie. Make time for Tortuga, Galeries Lafayette’s fancy rooftop restaurant, to refuel while enjoying some of the best views in Paris.
If you’re a fan of museum gift stores, pay a visit to the Frank Gehry-designed Louis Vuitton Foundation set in the northern fringes of the sprawling Bois de Boulogne public park. Soak up Gehry’s signature modernist architecture and the program of exhibitions before browsing the shop for unique art-themed gifts and hulking fashion tomes.
One last stop on Paris’s shopping trail is the famed independent bookstore Shakespeare and Company in the Left Bank, which is piled high with preloved books of all genres, including prized first editions and new releases. Make sure you pack your camera as you’ll want to snap some of the most famous landmarks in Paris on your shopping marathon.
Istanbul
The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Istanbul is one of Europe’s best cities for shopping, where you’ll find everything from extravagant carpets and hand-painted ceramics to spices, jewelry, and Turkish designer goods,
The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, and is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. With over 4,000 vendors, you’ll find everything at the Grand Bazaar, though you won’t get around the entire market in one visit. Settle for covering just one section before taking a break in one of the many cafes to watch locals compete on generations-old chessboards.
Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, makes for a fun and fragrant shopping experience. If you’re a keen cook, pick out colorful spices from the neat rows loaded with cumin, cinnamon, and cardamon, among other regional delicacies. The Spice Bazaar is also a good spot to pick up some traditional Turkish delights (Turkish rosewater candy) and pretty ceramics.
Beyond the bazaars, splurge in Istanbul’s Besiktas district at the upmarket Zorlu Center shopping mall. Poke your head into Vakko, a bold monochrome-styled atelier where locals flock for ready-to-wear and couture pieces.
Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul
The open-air Kanyon Mall in the Levent district is also packed to the brim with chic boutiques and international brands including Souq Dükkan, which offers a curated range of clothing, accessories, and homeware.
Home to noteworthy Istanbul markets and shops, the bustling Istiklal Avenue in the center of the city is where you’ll find more global names among Turkish brands. Take a respite from the crowds in a local cafe with an order of syrupy-sweet baklava and a thick Arabica coffee.
Stockholm
Norrmalmstorg, Stockholm
Sweden’s design-forward capital is a hub for modern design and fashion labels as well as a fabulous mix of vintage and independent stores that give Stockholm its fashion flair.
Homegrown labels Acne Studios and J Lindeberg are located on Bibliotekstan and Norrmalmstorg, respectively. International designer labels Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton also operate their Stockholm flagship stores in this central Norrmalm neighborhood.
The pedestrianized Drottninggatan is the city’s main shopping street where Stockholmers pick up staples from H&M, Arket, and Zara. If you’re looking for something more upscale, check out Götgatan street on Södermalm island for its chic boutiques, vintage stores, and hip restaurants.
You’ll hit the jackpot if you veer off onto the side streets, where independent retailers, cute coffee shops, and bars line the streets.
Bondegatan, Stockholm
Dedicate time to exploring Bondegatan for its quirky and vintage stores, including Lisa Larsson, which sells an incredible mix of pre-loved pieces dating from the 1930s. Save time for a stop at the charming Iris Hantverk, a uniquely Swedish brand selling a dreamy range of blankets and Scandinavian homeware on Kungsgatan street.
If you’re a fan of one-stop shopping, you’ll love the city’s behemoth Mall of Scandinavia, which lies on the northern edge of Stockholm in Solna. Home to roughly 174 retailers, over 40 restaurants, and a movie theater, it’s the second-largest shopping complex in Scandinavia. From toy shops and bookstores to pharmacies, fashion, and homeware, you’ll find it all available here.
Sniff out some stellar Scandinavian food at the lip-smacking Östermalms Saluhall, a covered food hall that has been around since 1888. Stop by Betsy Sandberg’s stall for delicious handmade truffles and nougat and M Seger Eftr. Kott & Ost. for an outrageously good selection of charcuterie and cheese.
Florence
Via Tornabuoni, Florence
Italy’s Renaissance city might be best known for its art and culture, but did you know it’s also one of the best shopping cities in Europe? Florence is home to designer ateliers, handmade leather stalls, antique and collectible shops, and delicious Tuscan food for you to take home.
Get your fill of Italian labels Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Emilio Pucci on the historic Via Tornabuoni, near the Ponte Santa Trinita. If you’re a fan of luxury fragrances, tickle your olfactory senses at Olfattorio Bar a Parfums. Sandwiched between Loro Piano and Celine on Tornabuoni, it’s a wonderfully luxurious perfumery where you can pick your fragrance notes to suit your personal tastes.
If you want to stick with designer labels, add The Mall Firenze to your itinerary. The designer outlet located on the outskirts of the city is where in-the-know locals pick up last season Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, and Versace pieces.
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
Visit the three-arched Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s famed bridge that has provided a crossing over the River Arno since 1345. Fun fact: Shops have lined Ponte Vecchio since its beginnings, including tanners and fishmongers in the 1300s, though, since 1593, a decree was signed only allowing jewelers to grace the bridge’s premises. Today, you’ll still find jewelry boutiques with a few souvenir vendors on the bridge, too.
If you’re in the market for something one-of-a-kind, Florence has plenty of options. Explore Via della Spada for independent boutiques and south of the river at pretty Oltrarno, you’ll have a choice of independent boutiques and a treasure trove of artisan workshops.
For gourmet shopping in one of the best markets in Italy, Mercato Centrale is a must-visit. Pack your elastic pants and tuck into a gelato or two as you browse the stalls—you’ll find the very best of Italy’s produce here.
Read: Two Days in Florence
Florence
If you’re bursting to delve into Europe’s fantastic shopping cities, browse Celebrity Cruises’ exciting cruises to Europe to find the perfect getaway.
