12 Best Places to Shop in Germany

This gallery shop opened in the mall-like Hackesche Höfe shopping area in 2001, promoting the red and green Ampelmännchen, the charming symbol used on the former East German traffic lights. The brand now operates five shops in Berlin, and you can find the logo on everything from T-shirts and umbrellas to ice cube trays and candy.  It's a perfect stop for souvenirs.

The two storefronts here are filled with wacky knickknacks, useful home appliances, and modern home accessories, all at reasonable prices.

Don't miss this Hamburg institution, which is the best place for all of the city's specialty maritime goods, including elaborate model ships and brass telescopes.

A food-lover’s paradise, this epicurean shop sells a wide range of products, from gourmet, artisanal pantry ingredients and kitchen tools to an extensive collection of cookbooks and food magazines. Handmade breads, pastries, and chocolates are available to satiate your appetite. There's also a nice selection of cheeses, as well as fine wines and craft beer. A second outpost is in Charlottenburg, at Wilmersdorfer Strasse 102/103.

Pick up whimsical German-made souvenirs, from tote bags, aprons, and tea towels emblazoned with Bavarian sayings to pretzel- and dachshund-shaped cookie cutters, at this delightful store.

This is the ultimate shop for any kind of (mostly handmade) dolls, including designer models as well as old-fashioned German dolls. It's for collectors, not kids.

Products here are inspired by Berlin's facades (pillows), graffiti (etched drinking glasses), and civic symbols (on polo shirts).

Besides a great variety of religious trinkets and nativity figurines, Sebastian Wesely is the place to come for beer-related vessels and Stampferl (schnapps glasses), walking sticks, scarves, and napkins with the famous Bavarian blue-and-white lozenges.

In the homey setting of Wohnart Berlin you can imagine how the stylish European furnishings, lamps, housewares, or stationery items might suit your own pad.