212 Best Places to Shop in Germany

Fine handcrafted jewelry, watches, and other high-end designer accessories can be found at Bucherer.

Handmade, classic styles of shoes and brogues, mostly from England, Austria, and Hungary, are sold at Budapester Schuhe. There is another shop at Kurfürstendamm 199 and an outlet at Kurfürstendamm 204.

For an edible souvenir, take home handmade chocolates like the only-in-Bamberg Rauchbier truffles made with Schlenkerla smoked beer. This café also has a roomy seating area to take a load off while you nibble on a delicious pastry.

The pastry shop at Café Laumer has local delicacies such as Bethmännchen und Brenten (marzipan cookies) and Frankfurter Kranz (a kind of creamy cake). It's open daily.

Some of the best Aachener Printen can be found here, at one of Aachen's most beloved cafés, as can another tasty Aachen specialty, Reisfladen (a sort of tart filled with milk rice and often topped with fruit—pears, apricots, or cherries). Set in a 17th-century building, the café is worth a visit if for nothing more than its atmosphere and tempting aromas. 

A must-visit for shoe lovers, this shop has an impressive collection of exotic and vintage footwear, including suede heels, leather-trimmed boots, embroidered flats, and men’s work boots—all spanning the last six decades. Because of its diverse collection, the shop also regularly works with film and theater stylists.

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.

This tiny shop, located in the Viktualienmarkt, specializes in all things chocolate, with more than 120 varieties of chocolates and truffles.

A wide array of artisanal chocolates, truffles, and chocolate spreads, plus delicious hot chocolate, is on offer at this snug shop and café just across from the Viktualienmarkt.

One of Berlin's top avant-garde designers, Claudia Skoda's creations are mostly for women, but there's also a selection of men's knitwear.

Dallmayr is the city's most elegant and famous gourmet food store, with delights that range from exotic fruits and English jams to a multitude of fish and meats, all served by efficient Munich matrons in smart blue-and-white-linen uniforms. The store's famous specialty is coffee, with more than 50 varieties to blend as you wish. It even has its own chocolate factory. This is the place to prepare a high-class—if pricey—picnic.

This secondhand shop, on one of Prenzlauer Berg's liveliest streets, offers a well-curated selection of designer clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women. You'll find stylish labels like Acne, Nike, Marni, and Miu Miu. Be prepared for somewhat steep prices.

This small shop around the corner from the Frauenkirche has been producing handmade candles since 1862. Look for beautifully decorated wedding, christening, and holiday-themed candles. 

More than 300 kinds of German and international beers, including many rare styles, are sold at this Gärtnerplatz-area shop. 

For Munich's largest selection of dolls and marionettes, head to Die Puppenstube.

The original "eau de Cologne" was first produced in the city in the early 18th century from an Italian formula. It's made from a secret formula and aged in oak barrels. The most famous cologne is 4711, which derives its name from the firm's address. The building itself is equipped with a carillon, a museum, a "fragrance fountain," and (naturally) a gift shop. The scent, primarily derived from citrus, rosemary, and lavender, may seem old-fashioned to some, but it comes in an elegant bottle with a turquoise-and-gilt label, and makes a nice souvenir.

Berlin’s largest general bookstore, this five-story emporium has two levels of English-language titles, including unusual books, new releases, and classics. The store is open until midnight on weekdays, and until 11:30 pm on Saturday.

Bargain hunters search for secondhand goods and knickknacks at the city's renowned—and huge—flea market. It's held in Rheinaue south of the Konrad-Adenauer-Brücke on the third Saturday of each month from April to October.

Sachsenhausen's weekend flea market is on Saturday from 9 to 2 on the riverbank between Dürerstrasse and the Eiserner Steg. Purveyors of the cheap have taken over, and there's lots of discussion as to whether it is a good use for the elegant, museum-lined riverbank.

Get there early for the bargains, as the better-quality stuff gets snapped up quickly.

Shopping success or no, the market can be fun for browsing.

Germans in search of a great deal love a good Flohmarkt (Flea market). These markets unfold every weekend throughout Hamburg, and the best of the lot may be the one at Flohschanze. With acres of clothes, furniture, books, CDs, records, home accessories, jewelry, and art, the market attracts both collectors and bargain hunters every Saturday from 8 until 4.

This small emporium sells trendy sportswear, shoes, accessories, and jewelry for women. There's also a small selection of casual clothing for men.