Well, where else to go shopping if not to Europe? Berlin is recognized as one of the best cities for shopping. This is a true paradise for shopaholics. In the German capital, you can purchase all the necessary products for a person, from food and clothing to ornate decor items. Prices in the city are democratic. Shopping centers in Berlin are very popular among tourists. Local residents also shop in them. The range of goods in such establishments is so huge that the buyer can easily get confused among the available offers. All stores in Berlin are open Monday through Saturday, but there are some establishments that are open even on Sunday.
Central shopping centers
Most people in the capital of Germany like to visit those shopping centers in Berlin that are located in the city center. After all, it’s convenient to get to such stores, and after shopping you can admire the sights that are in the neighborhood. So, among all the central shopping centers of this metropolis, there are three most popular objects:
- Gallery Arcada is a huge store located on Potsdamer Platz (Alte Potsdamer Strasse 7). The shopping center began its work in early October 1998. Its length reaches 180 meters, and it has three floors. The institution operates about a hundred stores. They are all open from ten in the morning until nine in the evening every day, except Sunday. 40 thousand square meters is the total sales area of the institution. In the shopping center you can buy textiles, clothes, shoes and other goods. In addition, there are cafes, restaurants, private medical rooms and car parking for four thousand places.
- ALEXA is a young but incredibly popular shopping center that can be visited on Alexanderplatz (Grunerstraße 20). The institution opened in early autumn 2007. Each year, this complex is visited by over one million customers. ALEXA shopping center has become a magnificent combination of modern architecture and sophisticated art deco style, which breathes a pretentious perception of the world of the 1920-1930s. The five-level center "Alexa" covers an area of 56,200 square meters.
- Galeries Lafayette - This center is the Berlin branch of the world-famous Galeries Lafayette in Paris. The building is located at the intersection of Französische Straße and Friedrichstraße. The trading house is positioned as a place for elite shopping. On the ground floor you can visit the gastronomic and culinary department, known for a wide range of fine alcoholic drinks and delicacies. All the halls of the complex are decorated with black and white marble.
Trading houses for average consumers
The most popular among tourists and residents of the village are the shopping centers of middle class Berlin. One of these institutions can be called Galeria Kaufhof at Alexanderplatz 9. The products presented in the institution both in terms of quality and cost correspond to the middle category. Therefore, this store is considered the most visited in the city. The total area of the five-level complex reaches 35 thousand square meters. Here you can buy sweets, expensive spirits, perfumes, clothes for everyone and for everyone, as well as much more.
The Gesundbrunnen Center complex, located on Badstraße 4, can also be attributed to middle-class shopping centers. This is a modern institution, full of a variety of services and goods. Since there is a trading house adjacent to the regional railway station, there are no problems with transport connections to it.
Centenary Shopping Center
Shopping center "KaDeVe" in Berlin has a hundred years. If you want to visit this oldest trading platform, then you need to go to this address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24. The trading house was opened in 1907, and it immediately became the leading establishment among its own kind in Germany. The institution belongs to the most significant department stores of the Earth. Here, customers can purchase the most exquisite products from around the world.
In addition to the most luxurious range of products, KaDeWe offers its guests the highest quality service and an unusual entertainment program. World celebrities regularly come to this megamarket. This trading house is one of the main attractions of the German capital. And this is not surprising, because its history, architecture, performances and unique products can not leave indifferent any tourist.
Shopping complex with 200 stores
At Chausseestraße 1, on the southern outskirts of the village, there is a new hypermarket that has gained extraordinary popularity among residents of the capital. Shopping center A10 (Berlin) is a huge shopping center, which includes two hundred stores. They sell clothes, sporting goods, food, natural cosmetics, stationery, bags, shoes and ... It is difficult to list all the goods that are sold in A10. The institution presents brands designed mainly for middle-class customers.
Best places to shop
Berlin's top shopping centers such as Karstadt, Neues Kranzler Eck and Peek & Cloppenburg are loved by young people and tourists. You can find stores at the following addresses: Kurfürstendamm 231, Kurfürstendamm 21-24 and Wilmersdorfer Str. 109-111, respectively.
Karstadt is positioned as an extra-class trading house. This is one of the many branches of a large German network where you can buy accessories, goods for children, clothes, accessories for the cottage and other goods.
Neues Kranzler Eck loves to be young people. In addition to the fact that there are many shops in the center, there is a post office functioning before midnight, and the most famous cafe in the city, Kranzler, is located on the top floor.
But the Peek & Cloppenburg marketplace is known in Berlin as a center with high-quality goods and low prices. Therefore, in practical persons, this shopping center is especially popular.
Ring Center and Linden Center
Berlin's Ring-Center (Frankfurter Allee 111) and Linden-Center (Prerower Platz 1) shopping centers were opened in 1995. The “Ring Center” belongs to the largest venues of the capital and covers an area of more than 42 thousand square meters. It houses about 120 different shops and pavilions. The owner of the institution is the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
The dimensions of Linden-Center are slightly smaller - “only” 25 thousand squares. This is a three-level complex, which has not only shops, but also a variety of companies that provide the population with many services.
Forum steglitz
Some shopping centers in Berlin operate on a “shop in shop” system. Forum Steglitz, a complex that can be visited at Schloß straße 1, belongs to such trading houses. The Forum Steglitz began its work in the spring of 1970 and became in Germany one of the first shopping centers operating according to the aforementioned system.
Over a very short period of time, Forum Steglitz has become a fairly popular destination in southern Berlin. Today, there are approximately 60 shops and catering establishments. All of this is allocated an area of 32 thousand square meters. Near the center there is a covered parking with a large number of places for cars.
The largest center of north Berlin
Some of the shopping centers in Berlin, the photos of which we present in our article, are the largest in the region in which they are located. So, I would like to highlight the largest trading house in the northern part of the German metropolis on Senftenberger Ring 5A - Branderburg Center. This famous institution in Germany was established in the 60s of the past century. Over the next decades, the complex regularly developed. And today its area totals 50 thousand square meters.
In 2001-2002, a total reconstruction took place at the Branderburg Center. Thus, now the entire center consists of 120 stores. For customers, a completely free underground parking is provided. And if people get tired of shopping, then they can always relax in one of the many restaurants on the territory of the trading house.
Noteworthy Shopping Centers
There are some more shopping centers in Berlin (addresses can be found in our review) that deserve the attention of buyers:
- Wilmersdorfer Arcaden (address Wilmersdorfer Strasse 46) - Due to the fact that the institution is located in the pedestrian zone, it can be visited by whole families and get the general pleasure of shopping. In 125 stores located under the roof of this complex, you can buy everything your heart desires. There are many brand boutiques selling women's underwear, jewelry and clothing. In addition, there are pavilions that sell perfumes, electronics, cosmetics and other goods.
- Arcade Spandau on Klosterstraße 3 is an institution managed by Real Estate Management JSC. This "giant" was opened in 2001, and the founders spent 150 million euros on its creation. The three-story complex has more than 125 outlets. This center is the most favorite among travelers. The Spandau Arcade is notable for the fact that a 50-meter tower is located on its southeast side, in which one of the Ibis hotels is located.
- Gropius-Passages, on 215 Johannisthaler Chaussee Street, is a famous shopping center in Berlin, which was built back in 1944. This complex is one of the largest shopping centers in the whole country. The building of the house provides access to one of the metro stations in Berlin. In addition, there is convenient parking for cars. The area of Gropius-Passages is 85 thousand square meters. 180 stores, restaurants, cafes and a multiplex cinema have found their place on such a vast territory.
No sunday shopping
It is not possible to find Berlin shopping centers operating on Sunday. The last day of the week is considered holy, and therefore in the German capital are closed all places where you can shop, and even grocery stores. Only the Ullrich supermarket and several shops near train stations and airports work. But not all Sundays shopping centers do not function. If any traditional holiday falls on this day, then most of the complexes work and you can skimp on them. If you arrived in Germany on a non-public Sunday, then, unfortunately, you will not be able to visit trading houses.
Store Opinions
Berlin shopping malls have admired reviews from customers. People simply cannot get enough of them. Both the Germans themselves and the tourists note that any of the complexes is a wonderful establishment that meets all the requirements of a modern buyer. Russian travelers like the luxurious selection of goods from these centers and their prices. Customers also note a high level of service in each of the houses.
The architecture and interior also delight guests. The presence of parking lots and a convenient placement do not go unnoticed by buyers. All people who have visited some Berlin shopping centers say that they really deserve to be praised.