Traveling is a passion for some people while for a section of people it is a need. However, a large section of people who travel to offshore destinations have the desire for shopping! It is a reality that a large percentage of travelers comprise of shopaholics. The good thing is that there is no shortage of shopping destinations in Europe. There are places that can be termed as budget shopper’s haven while there are some European cities that are frequented by luxury brand loving tourists. From weekly flea markets where antiques and decorative are sold at dirt cheap rates to prime designer brand stores, you get everything in the European cities.
Below listed are a number of European cities that are ideal for shopping lovers:
Milan- Called the fashion capital of Italy, Milan is among the topmost shopping destinations for travelers in Europe. It scores over other Italian destinations like Florence and Rome for shopping lovers. Home to the fashion stalwarts like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Prada, Milan is the haven for luxurious shoppers. While visiting Milan you must pay a visit to the Quadrilatero d'Oro. You also get plenty of boutiques with items aimed at bargain shoppers. The Il Salvagente is also worth a visit for choosy shoppers.
London- There is no denying the fact the London remains one of the topmost destinations in Europe for shopping lovers. Granted, the city is home to some of the most impressive architectural wonders and historic sites but the shopping opportunities are hard to overlook! The places like Regent Streets and Oxford are lined up with top brand outlets. In Knightsbridge, there are options for luxury shopping. Bargain shoppers should ideally head to Camden Market and Greenwich market. While you may find the prices steep in general, Christmas shopping is a different story altogether-with crazy discounts and limited period deals flooding the city. The fact you can find lucratively priced business class flights to Europe and London, sweetens the deal.
Barcelona- Barcelona can best be described as the paradise of budget shoppers! You will find amazing deals on designer brand products in the array of stores in the city. The La Boqueria market is a must visit- even if you are not in the mood for heavy shopping. The city is loved by travelers who love simplicity in shopping and love to be spilt with unending choices. Major shopping hubs in Barcelona are Placa Catalunya, Barri Gotic and El Born. You get departmental stores like El Corte Ingles and Diagonal Mar. Besides, there are designer outlets like Chanel and Cartier.
Madrid- The Spanish capital is the east shopping choice for boutique lovers. Amazing as it may sound- Madrid is home to nearly 50,000 boutiques. While you will get tempting deals at El Centro, bargain shoppers should head to the famous flea market El Rastro which takes place on Sundays. There are shops like Capas Seseña selling wool and cotton products and Casa de Diego which sells souvenirs. Expect prices to be pretty restorable unless you are not heading to designer boutiques. You will get a number of exclusive boutique shops in the Salamanca district. Nowadays, you can fly in cheap business class to Europe including Madrid which is ideal for shopping vacations.
Athens- With the Agora set up in the 6th century BC, Athens introduced elite shopping to Europe. Even now, the Greek capital continues the tradition. The high-end stores, bustling markets and several boutiques lure thousands of tourists. There are ample shopping places for leather goods and antiques in the city. The flea market at Monastiraki witnesses footfall all over the year. You may head to Kolonaki- a chic neighborhood to explore the gastronomical delights while shopping! The luxury shopping lovers can opt for Tsakalof Street. The Attica Department Store is another shopping haven in the city.
Paris-When it comes to shopping in Europe, the French Capital Paris, deserves a special mention. The beautiful city with a rich heritage and generous architecture- is ideal for luxury shopping. The variety is mesmerizing-to say the least. From vintage shops such as Bastien de Almeida to multi-brand boutiques like L’Eclaireur and Maria Luisa, options are aplenty. In recent times, the Palais Royal, a hotspot of boutiques like Corto Moteldo and Stella McCartney has become the shopper’s paradise. Among the famous shopping streets in Paris, Rue de Rivoli and Champs Elysées deserves mention. The gargantuan departmental stores in the city like Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché also serve as major shopping destination for the tourists.
Angelina is a professional blogger and avid traveler. she loves to travel around the world and share her experience with all.