The largest department store in continental Europe, Kaufhaus des Westens (usually abbreviated as simply KaDeWe) is over a century old and a must for any shopper visiting Berlin. After being largely destroyed in World War II, its reopening in 1950 was not only an important shopping moment but a propaganda one too, an embodiment of the prosperity of West Berlin. Regardless of its Cold War significance, the sixth-floor food hall provides an unforgettable culinary experience with a chance to sample the best German and international products.
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You’ll want to leave room in your luggage for gifts (including ones for yourself) when headed to Germany. A recent Virtuoso survey of popular European countries placed Germany as the continent’s most affordable destination, with the average daily hotel rate coming in 38% below the EU average. That means you’ll have that much more to spend on Bogner ski sweaters, Hugo Boss suits, Kneipp bath products, and Ritter Sport chocolates. From cool boutiques in emerging neighborhoods like Cologne’s Belgian Quarter to stately boulevards like Düsseldorf’s Königsallee or shopping villages in the vicinity of major cities, Germany provides a wealth of choices for every stylish shopper. The largest department store on the European continent, Berlin’s KaDeWe (that’s short for Kaufhaus des Westens) offers all of Germany’s, and the world’s, best brands under one roof. Since it reopened in 1956, it has been a symbol of postwar prosperity in Berlin and one of the capital’s most popular sights. Budget some time to truly explore KaDeWe. It’s a place where you can spend hours between grazing at the “delicatessen” on the 6th floor, perhaps enjoying a coffee or a treat prepared by the team of bakers and cooks, and then picking out a new outfit or being measured for a suit. Photo Courtesy of KaDeWe
