One of the pleasant activities that make a visit to Berlin a lasting experience is to go on extensive shopping tours. The classic, nationally known shopping streets of Berlin are the Kurfürstendamm and the Friedrichstrasse.
The Kurfürstendamm
This was once the preferred bridle path that led crowned heads from the city palace to the hunting lodge in Grunewald. The Kurfürstendamm later became known as a promenade. After the Wall was built, the shopping street, known for short as “Ku-damm” in Berlin, was one of the symbols of West Berlin. After reunification, the Kurfürstendamm initially seemed to lose some of its importance. Today it is worth going on a shopping tour on Kurfürstendamm again. In addition to international chain stores such as Zara, Esprit or H&M, more and more luxury brands are returning to representative stores.
The Kurfürstendamm flows into Tauentzienstrasse, which offers further representative shopping opportunities. The highlight of the shopping tour is a visit to the traditional KaDeWe. A break in the legendary delicatessen department on the upper floor is always worthwhile. Many international specialties are freshly prepared. Outside of meal times, depending on your taste, champagne or coffee can be enjoyed. If you are looking for Berlin accommodation , you will find beautiful boutique hotels in a quiet location in the side streets of Kurfürstendamm or even very private holiday apartments with a Berlin flair.
Friedrichstrasse
It is another well-known Berlin shopping street with a historical background. Before the war, Friedrichstrasse was an important shopping street. After the division of Germany, it belonged to the eastern part of Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Friedrichstrasse experienced an intense revival. International luxury brands chose their location here. The French luxury department store chain Galeries Lafayette with its architecturally interesting department store is a highlight in the exquisite selection of stores on Friedrichstrasse.
Friedrichstrasse is not only a shopping mile, but also a cultural mile. The well-known KulturKaufhaus Dussmann stands for culture as well as stages and theaters in and near Friedrichstrasse.
More Shopping Miles
Other nice places to shop when visiting Berlin are Hackesche Markt and Alexanderplatz. There are fewer luxury boutiques here. At Alexanderplatz there are department stores for everyday needs and the “Alexa” shopping center. At Hackescher Markt, the Hackesche Höfe offer space for very special, smaller shops.
The favorite shopping streets of Berliners are Wilmersdorfer Straße in the Charlottenburg / Wilmersdorf district and Carl-Schurz-Straße in the old town of the Spandau district. There are department stores, chain stores and individual shops for daily needs.
