German Shopping tips

Let's face it: shopping is fun. And shopping Made in Germany is a wonderful experience presenting a huge variety of top quality goods plus a wide range of different places to shop. From the traditional atmosphere of historical town centers to more than 400 modern shopping malls, they all offer a colorful mix of shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafés. From international and German clothing labels such as Hugo Boss and Jil Sander to high end specialty products like fine Meissen Porcelain, a speedy Porsche or traditional goods such as Black Forest cuckoo clocks or delicious marzipan from Lübeck: the offer is fascinating and seductive. Adidas, Bogner, Puma, Glashütte watches, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Volkswagen – these German brands are synonymous with high quality and tradition.

Without doubt the fashion capital of Germany. Düsseldorf has been setting trends since the days of the Electors in the 18th century. The modern era kicked off in 1949 with a street fashion show on the Königsallee, also affectionately known as the "Kö”.

The Church of St. John dominates the romantic narrow streets and small town houses. The oldest district in this Hanseatic city, once occupied by fisherman and artisans, is today home to artists, galleries and a vibrant array of shops and restaurants.

The Hohe Strasse has been the talk of the town since 1967 – it's 1km of pedestrianised shopping heaven that starts at the cathedral. And the 15,000 shoppers per hour who grace the Schildergasse simply cannot be wrong.

The beauty of Erfurt's town centre lies in its lovingly restored houses from various architectural eras. The beautiful town houses on Angerstrasse and around Anger square lend this shopping paradise its elegant flair.

Frankfurt's shopping is as varied as its cityscape. The skyscraper-dominated skyline contrasts with historical Römerberg square by the town hall, while the nearby Braubachstrasse is popular with lovers of art and antiques. The town centre and the neighbouring shopping streets are all within walking distance.

This tiny town centre, only 15km from Husum, is protected from the sea by a dike. The attractions here include canals and Dutch stepped gable architecture, with lots for visitors to explore.

Berlin

The Duke of Brunswick personally founded the Fürstenberg porcelain company within the walls of the Guelph palace, high above the river, to secure the town's economic future. Established in 1747, it is one of Germany's oldest porcelain factories, second only to Meissen.

Not far from the Inner Alster lake, between Gänsemarkt square and the Colonnades, you'll find over thirty friendly shops, a sure bet to find the latest fashions or to track down that hard-to-find, quirky present.

Maritime flair, a great view of the imperious swans and the ships on the Inner Alster; in the background the magnificent architecture of the shopping boulevard and simply the feeling of "having your finger on the pulse" – all this is what makes the Jungfernstieg so popular.

In the heart of this Hanseatic city you can shop for the latest goods among the historical façades of the palatial shopping arcades or in state-of-the-art buildings. Europe's largest sports shop, the world's biggest electronics store, and the largest shoe store in Europe are sure to whet your shopping appetite.

Hardenberg hill with its castle ruins is the most notable landmark in Nörten-Hardenberg. The most famous product to come out of the town is the schnapps made at the Hardenberg distillery.

In the Hauptstrasse that runs parallel to the Neckar river, there is more than one kilometre of shopping heaven between Bismarckplatz and the Karlstor arch, with enchanting side-streets, historical surroundings and modern living. This is where the heart of the old town beats. Style and tradition in the side-streets A pleasant stroll along more than a kilometre of shops.

With a population of just 14,000, Jever is quite small. However, it is still the centre of the region. The town's most famous product is its refreshingly dry beer. See how it is made on a tour of the Jever brewery.

KaDeWe is one of Germany's pioneering department stores. As early as 1907, it provided its customers with a staggering range of goods across five huge floors. The allure of the finest quality goods is as strong today as it ever was. The food hall on the top floor is legendary.

From a 16th century royal bridle path to a fashionable shopping boulevard – Charlottenburg's famous main street, over 50m wide and 3.5km long, between KaDeWe, the Europacenter, the Memorial Church and Wilmersdorf is home to an extra-special range of shops.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is synonymous with the romance of the Middle Ages – just take a look around you when you're strolling through the town. And what better home for the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop than in this romantic town where every day feels like Christmas?

Leipzig's old trading and mercantile courtyards, founded long ago by business-minded merchants, have been restored and today house modern, prestigious shopping arcades that radiate an illustrious fin de siècle atmosphere.

Individuality and vivacity are the hallmarks of the boutiques, galleries, antique stores, specialist shops, craft shops, cafés and bars in the lanes and squares of the picturesque medieval old town in the shadows of Limburg cathedral.

This town of brick-Gothic architecture, known as the Queen of the Hanseatic League with a history going back 1,000 years, is also famous for its Lübeck marzipan, a firm favourite with connoisseurs. "Rotspon", a locally produced red wine, is a fusion of Franco-German viniculture.

Munich airport offers a fantastic shopping experience with over 130 shops; in Terminal 1 most are situated in the all-access area, in Terminal 2 after security control.

The Fünf Höfe (five courtyards) are in a class of their own when it comes to fashion, literature, lifestyle and cafés. This pedestrianised shopping centre between Odeonsplatz square and Marienplatz square is the perfect combination of consumerism, art and culture. 

Architects from around the globe are responsible for the magnificent collection of buildings surrounding Potsdamer Platz, such as the Beisheim Center, DaimlerChrysler Center or the Sony Center with its unmistakable marquee-shaped roof. Shopping is at its most compact here in the Potsdamer Platz arcades, which are just under 200m long.

Not far from the medieval heart of this town, innovative companies are setting the latest trends in high-tech sportswear and equipment, led by adidas and PUMA.

Against a picturesque backdrop, browse the shops and galleries for antiques, craft items and art, often actually within the studios and workshops of the locally based artists.

Rosenthal and Hutschenreuther are the defining brands of the porcelain industry in Franconia. Their home of Selb is at the heart of the "Porcelain Route", which takes you to the centres of the porcelain industry between Weiden and Hof.

Shops housed in former warehouses or ancient town houses are the legacy of Rostock's Hanseatic past. The historical and maritime flavour of this traditional trading centre can also be felt when wandering around and enjoying the shopping in the town centre.

From the Niederwald monument overlooking Rüdesheim you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Rhine and the vineyards, which have made Rüdesheim a famous wine town with its tavern-lined Drosselgasse lane.

The place to see and be seen. The heart of Saarbrücken's old quarter is the St. Johanner Markt square on the right bank of the river Saar. A short walk across the footbridge takes you to "old Saarbrücken", also known as the Luisen district.

There's plenty to keep visitors entertained at this unique maritime centre. In addition to the many restaurants, cafés, bistros, bars and shops and the Forum Fischbahnhof at Bremerhaven's fishing port, there is also lots to learn about fish.

In a town with so much shopping potential, it's no surprise to find that Schwerin's old quarter is home to all kinds of different shops. However Schwerin is also proud of its huge shopping centre, the Schlossparkcenter on Marienplatz square.

As the story goes, King Augustus the Strong ordered his subjects to find a way to manufacture gold. After much experimenting, scholars finally discovered the next best thing - "white gold" or porcelain, which proved a blessing for both the King and Meissen.

Since 1902, when Margarete Steiff created the famous teddy bear with a "button in the ear" that has conquered the world, the company has made him all sorts of new friends. All of them can be admired and purchased at the World of Steiff in the historic town of Giengen an der Brenz.

The Königstrasse (King Street), is a fitting name for Stuttgart's premier shopping boulevard. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are the most prestigious names to originate from Stuttgart, a city synonymous with the car industry.

With its skilled craft workshops and Toy Museum, the small village of Seiffen has become a name synonymous worldwide with Erzgebirge carved artefacts such as nutcrackers, pipe-smoker incense burners and windmill pyramids.

A shopping experience against an ancient backdrop – from the Porta Nigra Roman gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the town's most famous landmark, to the baroque-style palace gardens. Go on a sightseeing tour and at the same time you'll be right in amongst the town's fantastic range of shops.

Mettlach is a small town on the river Saar famous for the Saar Bow and the ceramics produced by the internationally acclaimed company, Villeroy & Boch. More recently, the town has also made a name for itself as the location of factory outlets such as that of the clothing mail order firm, Lands End.

Picking up a new car becomes an unforgettable experience at VW's Autostadt. With lots of attractions, shops and entertainment for the whole family you'll have a fantastic day out - or even two!

The atmosphere and culture of the medieval town of Wertheim extend to the nearby outlet centre of Wertheim Village, which is making a name for itself with its top designer brands and first-class services.

Poets and painters from the 19th century felt inspired by the island's grandiose natural beauty, the expanse of the North Sea, the dunes and the endless sandy beaches, and created the basis for a sophisticated ambience of art, opulence and joie de vivre that can still be felt today.

If you're looking for discounted designer brands, the B5 Designer Outlet Center in Wustermark is the place to be. From adidas and Prada to Tommy Hilfiger there are smart boutiques selling over 100 top-name brands.

Factory outlet stores are rarely found in the centre of town, as in Metzingen. Hugo Boss, one of the world's leading fashion labels, was the first of many international companies to open an outlet store in Metzingen.

Situated in the Thuringian Forest, Lauscha is the glassblowing capital of Germany and the birthplace of the glass Christmas tree decoration. Christmas dreams come true here all year round.

Potsdam's bell gables and brick buildings were built to help Dutch artisans in the 18th century feel at home and even today still characterise the feel of the compact town centre, which is a great place for shopping.

Whether they sell mountain witch souvenirs, Harz rock crystal, Harz cheese, herb-flavoured liqueur, venison salami, craft items or knitwear – these individually run town-centre shops are the highlights of this historic shopping town.

A company famous throughout the world for producing elegant glasses, exquisite decanters and heavy vases in clear or coloured cut lead crystal, Nachtmann attracts large numbers of visitors to Neustadt an der Waldnaab on the Glass Route.