Berlin in 5 Shops: flea market finds and club-friendly fashions

16.08.2023 - 19:45 / lonelyplanet.com

In our 5 Shops series, we'll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world's best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we've found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces.

Berlin's shopping scene can be best described as a wunderkammer (in German: cabinet of curiosities). From flea markets to secondhand shops and independent designer boutiques,Germany's capital is full of fabulous finds you won't find anywhere else. As a truly cosmopolitan city, items and their sellers are always coming and going – living here for 10 years, I've learned to operate by the shopaholic's doctrine of "Buy now or gone forever," and honestly, rarely have I regretted it.

What I love about shopping in Berlin is that boutiques are essential to the city's residential fabric. They are kiez (neighborhood) fixtures, often found on the ground floors of apartment buildings, making window shopping a welcome part of everyday life here. As a local DJ, I've hijacked my fair share of groovy partywear from poor, unsuspecting mannequins – again, no regrets. My best advice for shopping in Berlin? Keep your eyes peeled and your suitcase a little light.

Vielfach, a "creative department store," lives up to its name. Near Checkpoint Charlie, in Mitte's historic sightseeing heart, it's a haven for those unique, handcrafted gifts and mementos showcasing local craftsmanship. At Vielfach's showroom, artisans rent shelves to display eclectic products ranging from cosmetics to jewelry and purses. I send out-of-towners here because of the vast, vibrant selection of keepsakes epitomizing Berlin's individualistic, deeply expressive creative scene.

Souvenirs here go above and beyond your average magnets and keychains, such as funky artistic renderings of Belrlin's TV Tower or tees with train subway signs. Soaring living and atelier costs are profoundly impacting local artists, and at Vielfach, such purchases can directly support them. Since "Made in Germany" is a spoken and unspoken promise of high-quality craftsmanship, rest assured that these souvenirs have been handmade to last a lifetime.

Sure, Berlin is chock-full of secondhand clothing shops, but locals know carton diving is king at the Mauerpark Sunday flea market. It's highly popular among tourists for its eclectic atmosphere of buskers, food trucks, and graffiti artists. But ironically, the shopping here isn't great for anything except for clothes. No BS; solid deals can still be found in the clothing section. Locals will band together and rent tables for only the day, meaning sellers change significantly every Sunday.

Selling here is especially popular with vacating ex-pats, so