Travelling this summer? Bookmark these boutiques in your global shopping list for new clothes, retro homeware, modernist accessories, quirky curios, antique jewellery, and more…
If you’re anything like us, no matter where you’re travelling, your holiday will be an excuse to browse the local retail scene. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best shops across the globe.
1. Paris, France
Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais
This three-storey concept boutique is home to a carefully curated selection of clothes, homeware, accessories, furnishings, stationery, and more.
2. Berlin, Germany
Antique-Vintage Shop Berlin, Warschauer Str. 11
Fall down a rabbit hole of bronzes, portraits, furniture, knick-knacks, and curios in this fascinating secondhand store in Berlin.
3. Munich, Germany
Kathrin Heubeck Studio, Kolumbusstraße 22
Pick up an array of handcrafted minimalist leather goods from the German designer, including all types of bags, from clutches to weekenders.
4. London, UK
Aro Archive, 1-3 French Place, Shoreditch
Serious style collectors should head to this five-storey London archive to pick up vintage and rare Issey Miyake, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela, and so much more.
5. Oxfordshire, UK
Bicester Village, Pingle Drive, Bicester
Find Stella McCartney, Balmain, Gucci, Vivienne Westwood and hundreds more designer names at this luxury shopping destination in the English countryside.
6. Edinburgh, UK
Courtyard Antiques, 108A Causewayside
Step back in time and spend hours perusing this favourite haunt of dedicated antique and treasure hunters. Toys, collectables, homeware and curios, here’s where you’ll find the perfect gift for the impossible-to-buy-for people in your life.
7. Prague, Czech Republic
Jeff de Bruges, Centre Commercial Novy Smichov, rue Plzenska
Chocolate lover? Indulge your sweet tooth at this chocolate shop and stock up on boxes of handcrafted, small-batch treats, hot chocolate, truffles, marshmallows and more.
8. Barcelona, Spain
Home on Earth, Camino de la Boqueria
Emphasising sustainability, here you can snap up bamboo and organic homeware and accessories in a zen, relaxed atmosphere.
9. Madrid, Spain
La Integral, Camino del León
Pick up witty curios, statement t-shirts, art books and some classic vinyl at this Madrid favourite.
10. Milan, Italy
MV Ceramics, Alzaia Naviglio Grande
Find an array of collectable ceramics inspired by owner Maria Vera Chiari’s love of archaeology, alongside colourful homeware that you won’t find on the high street.
11. Venice, Italy
Paperoowl, Santa Croce 821, Fondamenta Rio Marin
When you tire of Murano glass shopping, head to Stefania Giannini’s workshop to watch her create bespoke paper pieces for an experience that’s part shopping, part performance art.
12. Rome, Italy
Paciotti Salumeria, Via Marcantonio Bragadin
Make like a city native and pay a visit to this popular deli just a stone’s throw from the Vatican to sample gourmet cheeses and choose from a dazzling array of specialities.
13. Zurich, Switzerland
Limited Stock, Spiegelgasse 22 CH 800
As its name suggests, Limited Stock carries a curated selection of crafted pieces including glass, porcelain and ceramics, as well as accessories, homeware and body care products.
14. Oslo, Norway
F5 Concept Store, Rathkes Gate 9
Founded by three brothers in 2013,
the store has a focus on established and upcoming local Norwegian designers, as well as regionally sourced wellness products.
15. Stockholm, Sweden
Svenskt Tenn, Strandvägen 5
Forget Ikea, Svenst Tenn is one of the city’s oldest and most respected interior companies, shaping chic and whimsical Swedish tastes since it was founded in 1924.
16. Vienna, Austria
Rudolf Scheer & Söhne, Bräunerstrasse 4
Eschew (or should that be esch-shoe?) fast fashion footwear in favour of a pair of handcrafted bespoke shoes, courtesy of a cobbler’s where seven generations have been shoeing well-heeled clients since 1816.
17. Monte-Carlo, Monaco
La Boutique de Rocher, 1 Avenue de la Madone
Opened by Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966, this children’s boutique carries classic, beautifully made children’s clothes and accessories, along with antiques, artworks and more.
18. New York, USA
IWC Schaffhausen Boutique, 645 Madison Avenue
The luxury Swiss watchmaker’s new NYC boutique combines a watch atelier and espresso bar for the ultimate horological hangout.
19. Los Angeles, USA
Ahlem, 1121 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice
In a city filled with bespoke boutiques, with its handcrafted French-made sunglasses, a visit to Ahlem will ensure you will always stand out in a sea of designer-label eyewear.
20. Washington, USA
Tiny Jewel Box, 1155 Connecticut Ave NW
Follow in the footsteps of everyone from Franklin D Roosevelt to Michelle Obama by visiting this Washington institution to have your own custom jewellery created.
21. Vancouver, Canada
Barefoot Contessa, 3715 Main Street
While away a few hours at this Main Street favourite, where niche, independent brands rub shoulders with vintage clothing, jewellery and home décor for buys you won’t find elsewhere.
22. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Facon, Av. Jorge Newbery 3584
Explore handcrafted items from across Argentina, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics, all personally selected by the store’s artistic director Martín Bustamante.
23. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ViX, Rua Figueira de Melo, 307, São Cristóvão
In a city world-famous for its beachwear, head to ViX to snap up local designer Paula Hermanny’s vibrant and innovative creations that go beyond the beach to include chic dresses, jumpsuits, shirts and more.
24. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hub 27.2, The Zone
One of the kingdom’s coolest concept stores, it boasts locally sourced and inspired ouds from established and new brands, alongside curated vintage pieces.
25. Mumbai, India
Two Extra Lives, Bungalow 111, Dr Ambedkar Road, Pali Village
From the artisanal to the archival, the emphasis is on sustainability and storytelling at this Mumbai boutique, where you’ll find locally and globally sourced one-of-a-kind pieces.
26. Sydney, Australia
Mitchell Road Antique and Design Centre, 17 Bourke Rd, Alexandria
More a collective than a store, pick up antiques, quirky curios and modernist and retro pieces at this 2,300 square-metre space designed to be browsed at a slow pace, takeout coffee in hand.
27. Hong Kong, China
Maison XXII, 139 Hoi Bun Road, East Kowloon
This three-storey space takes visitors on a sensory journey aimed at piquing the five senses with home fragrances, fine chocolates, flowers and lifestyle items aimed at adding unique touches to your abode.
28. Tokyo, Japan
Kith Tokyo, 6-chōme-20-10 Jingūmae, Shibuya City
In a city packed with stylish stores, purveyors of au courant and limited edition sneakers Kith Tokyo is a streetwear lover’s dream. Post-shop, head to Kith Treats on the second floor to indulge yourself at their celebrated ice cream dessert bar.
29. Singapore, Republic of Singapore
The Paper Bunny, 391 Orchard Rd
Located on Singapore’s famous shopping road, find everything you need for everyday life – clothing, utensils, travel accessories and more – designed with longevity and sustainability in mind.
30. Kuala Lumpur
I Love Snackfood, A-3-1, Centrio Pantai Hillpark
This self-professed “collector of happy things” carries quirky buys alongside chic must-haves – think vibrant headscarves to scented candles, and linen sprays to adorable crocheted toys.
