Summary
Shopping Streets in Germany
The heart and soul of a German town lie in its city center. The Fußgängerzone is a downtown pedestrian zone, a car-free shopping street lined on both sides with shops and department stores. It is the liveliest place on a Saturday in Germany. A stroll down a shopping street means much more than merely buying things; dotted with cafes, ice cream parlors, and restaurants, churches, theatres, and old town squares, German shopping streets offer a true taste of German life.
Cologne’s Shopping Street: The Schildergasse
Address: Schildergasse 103, 50667 Köln, Germany
Phone: +49 221 9258260
The pedestrian zone in the city center of Cologne is called Schildergasse and is the busiest shopping street in Europe, with nearly 13,000 people passing through every hour. This popular shopping destination offers a blend of international department stores and modern architecture, dating back to ancient Roman times.
Try a pastry at Café Riese, family-run for over 100 years, and visit one of the many perfumeries to buy a fine bottle of “Eau de Cologne”. Don’t forget to stroll down the adjacent pedestrian street Hohe Straße, leading you to the city landmark, the impressive Cathedral of Cologne.
Munich’s Shopping Streets: Kaufinger and Sendlingerstraße
Address: Viktualienmarkt 3, 80331 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 89068205
Shoppers can indulge in retail therapy in Munich’s city center, starting at Marienplatz, located in the heart of the Old Town.
The large open-air market Viktualienmarkt is a must-see for food lovers. On Kaufingerstraße, you can find clothing, jewelry, and shoes, continuing until the medieval city gate, Karlstor. Additionally, Sendlinger Straße features family-run shops and specialty stores, making it an ideal location for arts and crafts or a traditional Dirndl.
Frankfurt’s Shopping Street: Zeil
Address: Zeil 106, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Phone: +49 69 29723970
The premier location for shopping in Frankfurt is the shopping street Zeil, particularly between Konstablerwache and Hauptwache. This renowned street, often referred to as “The Fifth Avenue” of Germany, caters to glamorous tastes with chic boutiques and international department stores.
Be sure to visit Zeilgalerie, a 10-floor shopping center famous for its unique spiral design. While on the adjacent Goethestraße, explore luxury options at top jewelers and designer boutiques.
Düsseldorf’s Shopping Street: Königsallee
Address: Königsallee, 40 Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf boasts the most elegant shopping boulevard in Germany, Königsallee (King’s Avenue), known as K% by locals. This stunning promenade along the river features an array of luxury boutiques and high-end designer stores, making it a top destination for refined shopping experiences.
Hamburg’s Shopping Street: “Mö”
Address: Mönckebergstraße 7, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg’s most popular shopping street is Mönckebergstraße, stretching from the central train station to the ornate City Hall. This bustling boulevard is home to a variety of department stores, including Europe’s largest sports outlet, Karstadt.
An architectural highlight is the historical Levantehaus, a stunning shopping center with high-end specialty shops, international restaurants, and the exclusive Park Hyatt hotel.
Berlin’s Shopping Street: Ku’damm
Address: Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 30 21210
Kurfürstendamm, or simply Ku’damm, is Berlin’s most popular shopping street. This 2-mile long boulevard is replete with international shops, hotels, restaurants, and movie theatres that still showcase hand-painted film posters.
Don’t miss a visit to KaDeWe, the largest department store in continental Europe, featuring designer labels, exquisite jewelry, cosmetics, and a renowned food floor.
Lastly, take a leisurely stroll through tranquil side streets of the Ku’damm, like Fasanenstraße, filled with charming townhouses, cozy cafes, art galleries, and antique stores.
