Champs-Élysées, Paris
The first shopping street on our list — and certainly one of the most famous — is in Paris, known as the “capital of fashion and romance”. This, of course, is the elegant Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Almost two kilometers long, the Champs-Élysées runs from Place de la Concorde to the beautiful Arc de Triomphe, lined with a mixture of luxury brands and global chain stores spanning a wide range of products. Visitors can also find hidden gems in the form of local shops on the side streets of this luxury shopping destination.
To discover more about the Champs-Élysées and the glorious city of Paris, check out One city, three days: Paris.
Bağdat Street, Istanbul
Istanbul, the meeting point of Europe and Asia, has been catering to shopaholics for centuries — after all, the city’s Grand Bazaar is considered the world’s oldest shopping mall! For a more contemporary take on retail therapy, Bagdat Street, in the Kadıköy neighborhood, is one of the most prominent shopping avenues on Istanbul’s Anatolian side and certainly in the entire city. Wide and tree-shaded in many sections, Bağdat Street houses globally known brands and local designer boutiques along with cafes, restaurants and other entertainment venues.
Fifth Avenue, New York City
New York, New York! ! Fifth Avenue, the 10-kilometer-long stretch running north-south alongside Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, has long been an iconic address, home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among many other world-renowned museums, as well as libraries, private clubs and upscale hotels. As you walk south, you’ll start seeing the flagship stores that give Fifth Avenue its reputation for being one of the world’s most expensive shopping streets — and one of the world’s most visited shopping streets too! From its humble beginnings as a 19th-century country road leading to Yorkville, Fifth Avenue has become its own global brand.
To find out more about places to visit in New York, check out One city, three days: New York.
La Rambla, Barcelona
Anchored by the port’s Christopher Columbus statue and Catalunya Square, La Rambla is Barcelona’s colorful, dynamic and crowded heart — a 1.2-kilometer-long, tree-lined cultural shopping street with bars and eateries, flower shops and fruit stalls, and even historic buildings. For more information on things to do in this wonderful seafront city, check out One city, three days: Barcelona.
Oxford Street, London
Running from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street, in London, has a colorful history stretching from the Roman era, when it was part of the Via Trinobantina, to the present. Named in the 18th century for the Lord of Oxford, who had purchased much of the land around the road, Oxford Street is now one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, home to globally known brands and beloved British companies such as Selfridges, Debenhams, and John Lewis and Partners, as well as parks, eateries and hotels; in addition, many of the stores and venues on Oxford Street host periodic events. For more places to visit in London, the capital of England, just click on One city, three days: London.
İstiklal Street, Istanbul
Back to Istanbul and the legendary and lively İstiklal Street, in Beyoğlu. Running from Tunel to Taksim Square, this bustling pedestrian mall and its narrow side streets host historical arcades, stately apartment buildings, consulates and churches along with numerous shops, eateries, galleries, clubs and cinemas — and even a couple of modern shopping malls. As a gathering place for residents and visitors from all backgrounds and cultures, İstiklal Street — as both a shopping and cultural destination — is one of the city’s busiest locales. Another attraction is the much-photographed vintage tram that traverses the length of the street.
If you are interested in more places to see and visit in Istanbul, you can read One city, three days: İstanbul.
Myeongdong, Seoul
A tour of the world’s most popular retail streets would not be complete without Myeongdong in Seoul, South Korea. Home to international chains, upscale department stores, and the headquarters of some of South Korea’s most renowned cosmetic firms, this dynamic district is buzzing day and night with shoppers and tourists, who also come to eat the great street food sold by sidewalk vendors.
For more on Seoul, check out One city, three days: Seoul and start exploring places to visit in the South Korean capital.
Via Monte Napoleone, Milan
Considered the epicenter of Milan’s fashion district, Via Monte Napoleone is certainly one of the city’s, if not the world’s, most popular shopping streets. In addition to upscale retailers and luxury Italian brands like Gucci, Bulgari and Versace, Via Monte Napoleone houses some of Milan’s most historic palaces and structures, such as Palazzo Melzi di Cusano, Casa Carcassola and Palazzetta Taverna.
To find out more about Milan’s compelling blend of history and modern city life, see One city, three days: Milan.
Khao San Road, Bangkok
We’re in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, and since the theme is shopping, a visit to Khao San Road is in order. One of the city’s most popular shopping districts, this buzzy touristic enclave is lined with souvenir shops, boutiques, massage parlors, art galleries, eateries and more. For more on Thailand’s capital and places to see in Bangkok, click on One city, three days: Bangkok.
Via Condotti, Rome
Rome’s Via Condotti is the first area that springs to mind when you think of shopping in the “Eternal City”. Anchored by the famed Spanish Steps, Via Condotti is lined with brands like Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Hermes, Dior and Gucci. You can also see the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity, Palazzo Megalotti, Palazzo Avogadri Neri and Palazzo degli Ansellini.
Rome is a one-of-a-kind city where you’re always discovering something new…for more information on places to visit in Rome, visit One city, three days: Rome.
We wish you a wonderful trip with plenty of shopping!
