Europe is at the heart of an exciting, diverse and ever-changing shopping scene. For starters, you’ve got the highly regarded capitals of style such as Paris and Rome. On the other hand, cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam offer emerging homegrown designers redefining what’s cool and trendy. And, let’s not forget Florence or Porto, the historic cities brimming with artisans that have been honing their craft for generations. To help you navigate the myriad of options, we’ve put together the ultimate selection of European cities with the most impressive retail landscapes – and what they have to offer.
Paris
“Whoever does not visit Paris regularly will never really be elegant,” wrote the novelist Honoré de Balzac in 1830, and today it is still hard to argue with the sentiment. The city has been a centre of fashion since Louis XIV first donned a pair of white stockings. From the opulence of the Golden Triangle to the shimmering boutiques of Rue Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme, the city’s concentration of exquisite couture and jewellery is unparalleled. But the city is also the birthplace of the ‘concept store’ and home to myriad vintage shops, hip designer boutiques and – of course – some of the best food emporiums in the world.