Musement unveils 12 of the best places in Europe to shop during the post-holiday winter sales.
Do you like nice things but also want to save some funds for future trips? One solution: take advantage of the sales to redo your wardrobe. While you’re at it, why not combine your shopping sessions with a trip to another city? Moreover, if you move a little further away from the gridlocked city centers, you’ll discover some spacious outlet complexes where you can find factory outlets touting your favorite brands, such as Hugo Boss in Germany or Prada in Italy.
To this end, Musement has compiled a list of six department stores in Europe’s cities as well as 6 outlet complexes in each city’s respective country.
1. Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Galeries Lafayette, located in the heart of Paris at 40 Boulevard Haussmann, has more than 120 years of fashion history. The epic department store welcomes more than 37 million visitors each year to its three buildings, which span 700,000 square feet and house 2,000 brands from all around the world.
2. The Village, France
In Villefontaine on the outskirts of Lyon lies a fashion temple…or outlet, that opened in spring 2018. The Village brings together about a hundred luxury brands to the delight of shoppers in search of good deals. The complex even has a concierge and offers butler service.
3. Harrods, London
With almost one million square feet, seven floors and 330 shops, Harrods in London is dedicated to women’s and men’s fashion, cosmetics and home furnishings. Born in London as a delicatessen in 1834, Harrods is also a gourmet paradise where you can find excellent products from all over the world…it’s also a great spot for afternoon tea. Since it’s an especially luxurious place, it may not be a bad idea to wait for the sales to go shopping.
4. Bicester Village, United Kingdom
Located in Oxfordshire, Bicester Village is undoubtedly the most popular outlet center the United Kingdom has to offer. Between the many shops, restaurants and bars, you can easily spend an entire day here.
5. Rinascente, Milan
As with the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, the Rinascente in Milan is also admired for its beauty, standing just a stone’s throw from the Duomo and the luxurious Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Stroll across the different levels to end up on the top floor where, from the restaurant’s terrace, you can admire the spires of Milan Cathedral.
6. Serravalle Designer Outlet, Italy
Located one and a half hours from Turin and less than an hour from Milan and Genoa, Serravalle Designer Outlet is the largest Designer Outlet in Europe. With 240 shops selling prestigious brands like Tod’s, Saint Laurent, Gucci or Prada, it’ll be hard to return home empty-handed.
7. KaDeWe: Kaufhaus Des Westens, Berlin
Though Germany is rarely associated with fashion or luxury, Berlin is home to the second-largest store in Europe after Harrods. Kaufhaus Des Westens—literally “Western Department Store” but commonly shortened to “KaDeWe”—is an essential stop during any stay in the German capital any time of year, especially to see the Christmas window displays.
8. Outletcity Metzingen, Germany
Just four hours by train from Paris and less than two from Strasbourg, Outletcity Metzingen, located in Hugo Boss’ hometown, boasts 70 luxury brands where you can easily find articles in fashion at unbeatable prices.
9. Gum: Glavnyi Universalnyi Universalnyi Magazin, Moscow
No, this isn’t a type of candy or imaginary character but just the acronym of “Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin,” the famous Moscow department store right in front of the Kremlin on Red Square. It includes 100 internationally renowned brands, restaurants, cafés and even a cinema.
10. Pulkovo Outlet Village, Russia
We all know the love Russian people have for luxury and fashion shopping. It should come as no surprise then to learn that Russia also has outlet villages, including the Pulkovo Outlet Village in St. Petersburg.
11. El Corte Inglés, Barcelona
In Spain, El Corte Inglés is an institution! Popular throughout the country, the store is also present elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, in Portugal. The first was founded in Madrid, but the one in Barcelona, located at Plaça Catalunya at the top of La Rambla, is the largest of all. With its diverse merchandise spread over nine floors, you’ll surely find happiness.
12. Las Rozas Village, Spain
From Barcelona, it’s a short trip to Madrid‘s Las Rozas Village complex with its 100 boutiques offering luxurious national and international brands.