Mercure's travel guides

Filled with individual boutiques and quirky shops selling one-of-a-kind bargains, Berlin is the place to find something special that you can't get back home. Try the vintage stores surrounding Hackescher Markt in Mitte, or the markets and owner-run shops in Kreuzberg and Schöneberg; Friedrichshain also has some potential bargains along its newly trendy streets. Good souvenirs to pick up are German beer tankards and vintage items from the former German Democratic Republic. And if all you want is a recognized brand name or a flashy department store, go no further than Charlottenburg's Kurfürstendamm, the huge KaDeWe store or Friedrichstrasse with its branch of Galeries Lafayette.

KaDeWe

Tauentzienstrasse 21-24, Berlin, 10789
+49-(0)-30-2121-0
http://www.kadewe.com

Description:

One of Berlin's – perhaps even Western Europe's – largest and most famous department stores, the legendary Kaufhaus des Westens in Charlottenburg is revered for its wide variety (seven floors worth!) of high-end merchandise, ranging from contemporary fashions and cosmetics to best-selling media and kitschy kitchen wares. In addition to great shopping, the store has a delicacies department on the sixth floor that features champagne, wine, and beer bars; a deli; a crêperie; and even a sushi bar. U-BAHN: Wittenbergplatz
Mon-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 10am-9pm; Sat 9:30am-8pm
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club

Berliner Trödelmarkt

Strasse des 17 Juni, Berlin, 10623
+49-(0)-30-2655-0096
http://www.berliner-troedelmarkt.de

Description:

This is one of the city's oldest and priciest flea markets. Exquisite antiques, unusual finds, and rare memorabilia are for sale. The market can get crowded, and the dealers are experienced, but they do welcome bargaining. S-BAHN: Tiergarten
Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Kaufhaus der Berliner

Krossenerstrasse 18, Berlin, 10243
+49-(0)-30-6792-6000
http://kaufhausderberliner.com

Description:

KDB is a small boutique in Friedrichshain's shopping neighbourhood that retails hand-made items from Berlin's local independent design scene. Inside you'll find art prints, hand-made toys, local fashion wares and accessories. The shop is a meeting point for the local design community, and specializes in unique clothing and gifts that aren't to be found anywhere else across the globe. S-BAHN: Warschauerstrasse
Mon-Sat Noon-7pm
Cash Only