Skip to content »
Skip to second navigation »


Exclusivity and Extravagance Is In the Heart of Berlin

Not yet published by Abby Agyarquah, Writer

Country: Germany

The Experience

When I first moved to Berlin, I quickly fell in love with the shopping area along Friedrichstrasse and Französische Strasse. This is the posh shopping district located in the downtown area of Berlin called “Mitte”. “Mitte or Stadtmitte” is the city center of Berlin, simply meaning “center or city center”. Friedrichstrasse is Berlin’s equivalent to Beverly Hills’s ‘Rodeo Drive,’ Chicago’s ‘Oak Street,’ and New York’s ‘Fifth Avenue.’ This street is a shopper’s delight atop cunning cobblestone.

The shopping area begins from Behrenstrasse to Leipzigerstrasse, encompassing both the Friedrichstrasse and Französische Strasse areas. Along Friedrichstrasse you will find all of your first-class fineries such as Gucci, Hermes, Jil Sander, Boss Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, and similar designers. Further along, you will find European favorites such as H&M and Max Mara.

If you are a ‘boutique shopper’ and are in search for a fabulous lunch to match your fabulous outing, the Hotel Westin Grand is located only a few steps away from the Boss Hugo Boss Boutique located Friedrichstrasse 165. It is my favourite boutique in Berlin and the outside seating area is perfect for spotting celebrities like Sienna Miller on one of her “low key” shopping trips. Just watch out for the paparazzi's flying cameras!


Amongst these high-end boutiques will you find a beautiful, seemingly made of glass, deluxe department store standing in all of its splendor called Galeria Lafayette!
If you cannot find it on Friedrichstrasse, it must be in Galeria Lafayette! Located in the Friedrichstadt-Passagen Shopping Center, here is where French flair meets East Berlin. This modern spectacle is currently one of three stores, with its Flagship Store based in Paris, France.



This area is also famous for the hit German film, “Run Lola Run,” where Lola (played by German actress Franka Potente) runs across the road and then around the corner into Französische Strasse in an attempt save her boyfriend. Cyclist also appear from Französische Strasse, later followed by Lola running through Friedrichstadt-Passagen at the corner entrance of Charlottenstrasse and Französische Strasse.


Furnishing rare selections, Galeria Lafayette features most of your European upscale designers, as well as their casual and trendier collections. While you may not be able to find a boutique for Chanel, Furla, or Hugo in this area, you will find an assortment at the Galeria. French and Italian designer hand bags, exclusive imported parfum, as well as a variety of luxurious skin care products and cosmetics surround the first level. The second and third floors provide an arrangement of Men’s and Women’s casual, formal, and business sportswear.


Equipped with a gourmet delicatessen and grand dining area, the scent of unique cheeses and the sight of shoppers enjoying a glass of champagne or wine lure you to the lower level. A small epicurean style gourmet market is also on site for foodies seeking to add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to their culinary skills .

Travel along the marble-tiled tunnel to find yourself distracted with more specialty and couture boutiques. If you are lucky you may find discounted items within these boutiques drastically reduced, but not at all cheap.



While underground in the Friedrichstadt-Passagen, a quick espresso or latte macchiato will give you just the jolt needed to finish your shopping excursion. If you desire a fast meal to hurry on to your next boutique, there is a large cafeteria style dining area with an assortment of international cuisine located in the center of the lower level.

Once you leave Friedrichstadt-Passagen to return to Friedrichstrasse, you will find the contrastive atmosphere to be striking, yet harmonious. Whether you decide to window shop or splurge in this area, this experience will leave you feeling like a million dollars!









Photos

Map

Puzzle

When to Go

If you are a fan of designer labels and fancy boutiques, the shops along Friedrichstrasse provide all with an extravagant experience. Even if you have become quite the window shopper these days, this area will leave you feeling like a million bucks- or Euros that is!

Places to Eat

At Relish Bar and Restaurant - Hotel Westin
International Cuisine
Fassbender & Rausch-Chocolatiers am Gendarmenmarkt
Europe's first "Chocolate Restaurant." The sweets are so beautiful, you may not want to eat them! Here, you can also learn to manufacture chocolate.
Balzac Coffee
Friedrichstraße 125

Recommended Places to Stay

The Westin Hotel Grand Berlin
Friedrichstrasse 158-164, 10117
Hilton Hotel Berlin
Mohrenstrasse 30, Berlin

More Experiences Nearby

Trace the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Once an ominous dividing barricade at the heart of Berlin, the Berlin Wall has today been absorbed into thriving city life; yet it remains a monument to the past. In certain parts of the city the Berlin Wall has disappeared entirely; while in others visitors can still see the brick outline set into the pavement which traces the historic separation between the former East and West Berlin. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, certain parts of the concrete barricade were left standing. Today, they are painted over with various artists’ creations, embodying the German sentiment about both the Wall ...1 miles away.
Berlin's Open-Air New Year Bash
Situated at the center of Berlin, the Brandenberg gate sits at the heart of history and emotions for the many visitors who visit Berlin each year. However, every New Year’s Eve, the Brandenberg gate is transformed into the party of the year showing the world and Germans alike that they can shake off the past and move forward into a new year. The Brandenberg New Year’s Eve bash is the largest outdoor, open-air party in the world rivaling that of New York and London. Visitors travel from miles around to be part of this fun and historical event. There is ...2 miles away.

Elsewhere on the Web

Euro Change Wechselstuben AG
Address: Friedrichstr. 80, Berlin Exchange your money here!
Galeria Lafayette Berlin
Berlin's Upscale Department Store

Language Guides

Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Germany. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.