With the first Fashion Week season of the year well underway, there are only a few days now until it’s London’s turn to shine. All eyes are focused on the English capital as we eagerly await the shows which will present the latest designs that will shape the trends for the coming seasons. Does everybody know that Paris, Milan, and London are the fashion capitals of Europe, but are they really the best places to go for the ultimate shopping trip?
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Post-Brexit emotions have got cosmopolitans questioning what the future of their beloved city trips to mainland Europe look like. With no immediate changes happening until the end of the year, now is the perfect time to squeeze in as many border-free trips as you can! So, Holidu, the search engine for holiday rentals, has designed the ideal travel bucket list for every shopaholic.
Zagreb, Turin, and Vienna: the winning trio Surprisingly, Rome and Milan in the last positions
London and Paris don’t even make it to the Top 10
1. Zagreb, Croatia
Okay, Zagreb may not be the first destination you have in mind when we talk about shopping, but with around 915 clothing and shoe stores, it’s a worthy winner on this list! In addition to the multi-national chains such as Zara, H&M, and Mango, there are also a lot of boutiques that put (emerging) Croatian designers first. Start your shopping trip on Tkalciceva Street, where you will find small, local and unique shops. To recharge your batteries, you should visit Eli’s cafe for a delicious cappuccino or latte macchiato.
Summer sales: Start from July 1st (can last a maximum of 60 days).
2. Turin, Italy
The beautiful Italian city with nearly 2800 clothes and shoe stores is in second place with an average rating of 4.29 stars on Google. As surprising as it may seem, Turin is widely preferred by shoppers than the Italian fashion capital of Milan. In Turin, Via Roma is undoubtedly the “place to shop”. From Porta Nuova, where there are beautiful and affordable shops, go up towards Piazza San Carlo to find the high-end designer shops.
Summer sales: Start of July until mid-August or until inventory is gone.
3. Vienna, Austria
The last place on the podium goes to the Austrian capital and its beautiful city center. With around 3000 designer stores and international labels, Vienna obtains an average rating of 4.28 stars on Google. The largest shopping street is Mariahilfer Stra?e, where you can find stores of all kinds and prices. But to find more unique and local shops, you have to escape this area and walk through the smaller parallel streets of the 7th arrondissement. When it’s time for a well-deserved break, head to the Amerlingbeisl. This is a very nice little cafe with a hidden terrace in the inner courtyard.
Summer sales: From July to August
4. Naples, Italy
Turning our attention to the South of Italy this time, Naples is awarded the fourth place with an average of 4.27 stars for its 3400 stores. The first place you absolutely must visit here is Via Dei Mille, where you can enjoy a perfect mix of international and local labels. Head to Via Gaetano Filangieri if you would like to browse famous luxury brands such as Prada. To take a break and enjoy a delicious Neapolitan pizza, Antica Capri restaurant is the place to be.
Summer sales: Start of July until mid-August or until inventory is gone.
5. Munich, Germany
In fifth place we have Munich, which is no wonder, seeing as it is the richest city in Germany. Although the shopping streets are scattered all over the city, you can discover amazing places in all of the different neighborhoods! Between traditional and modern, design and department stores, there is something for everyone among its 2850 stores. For a traditional Bavarian feel, the Viktualienmarkt is really worth a visit and even has an authentic “Biergarten” where you can try the famous pretzels and sausages.
Summer sales: End of July until the beginning of August.
6. Bucharest, Romania
The Romanian capital is praised as the sixth-best shopping city with an average of 4.26 stars for a total of 2500 stores. Here, shoe and clothing shops are mainly located in shopping centres. Among the most popular shopping, addicts are the Afi Palace Cotroceni and the Bucharest Mall. For something more authentic, visit Romanian Boutique in the Old Town, where you can browse a range of Romanian gifts and souvenirs.
Summer sales: August 1st until October 15th.
7. Cologne, Germany
The center of Cologne is largely pedestrianized and therefore a really pleasant experience for shopping. This explains why it is ranked seventh with an average of 4.26 stars for 1800 stores. Schildergasse is the largest shopping street and the best place to find a wide array of international brands. On the other hand, for a more unique shopping experience, it is best to head towards the Belgian district.
Summer sales: End of July / beginning of August.
8. Sofia, Bulgaria
The 1600 stores in the Bulgarian capital have an average score of 4.26 on Google. The shopping streets were gradually abandoned and instead, the focus turned to shopping centers after the fall of communism. These streets are now filled with beautiful cafes and markets. The most beautiful and popular shopping centers in Sofia are the Paradise Center and the Mall of Sofia.
Summer sales: Usually from July until August.
9. Rome, Italy
Whether it’s about big international brands or small local labels: you better wear comfy shoes if you want to try to visit all 8400 stores in the Italian capital. Via del Corso is probably the largest shopping street, but all the small streets in the neighborhood are just as nice to take a stroll through. Shopping aside, Rome offers undeniable beauty, making it the perfect
Summer sales: Start of July until mid-August or until inventory is gone.
10. Milan, Italy
Although Milan is the epicenter for the entire fashion industry during the Fashion Weeks, the city finds itself at the very bottom of this ranking. It seems that the 5800 stores are not the most appreciated by buyers, but nevertheless still get an average score of 4.25 stars. Among the highlights: The Quadrilateral of Fashion, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
Summer sales: from 7th July, (for 30 days)
