The World’s 5 Best Shopping Cities
Want to plan the ultimate shopping spree?
Here are five cities that need to be on your itinerary…
New York

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New York is frequently rated as the best shopping destination in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Everything from world-class department stores to bustling flea markets can be found in the city, catering to all types of shoppers.
If you’re looking for the best of the best, Madison Avenue is the road to head to first. Stretching out for 22 blocks, this street is lined with luxury brands, including the likes of Prada, Chanel, and Armani. This is also where you will find the OROGOLD Madison Avenue store, where you can treat your skin to VIP facials and product demonstrations.
On the other end of the scale is the Brooklyn Flea Market. This can be found in the Williamsburg area, and first opened in 2008. Since then, it’s expanded to include numerous vendors, making it the largest flea market in Brooklyn. Don’t be put off from visiting if you happen to be in New York over the winter, as the market moves to a 50,000 square foot indoor venue.
A few other notable shopping spots to visit in New York are:
- Chelsea Market – this is a foodie’s paradise, with artisan cheese, homemade pasta, fine wine, and so much more
- Macy’s – just about everyone has heard of this mall, which features 10.5 floors of everything from fashion and skin care to furniture and food
- 5th Avenue – this is another luxury shopping street with several legendary brands, including Tiffany & Co., Armani, and Bergdorf Goodman
- SoHo – this area is known for being exclusively chic. You’ll find art galleries, designer fashion stores, retro antique stores, and so much more
Dubai

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Dubai is famous for being the main shopping hotspot in the Middle East. In addition to its chic and sleek shopping malls, the city is also bursting with traditional souks and other open air markets, giving you an exciting mix of both old and new.
The very first place to go is the Dubai Mall. With an internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet, this is the largest shopping mall in the world. You may think that this could be a bit of a headache to browse, but the mall is split into several sections that make it convenient to find what you need. Browse the latest designer garments at The Fashion Avenue, or check out the more casual vibe at The Village. This mall is also where you will find the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, as well as the SEGA Republic Indoor Theme Park.
Other notable malls in Dubai worth visiting are:
- The Mall of the Emirates – this is the first shopping resort in the world, making the whole shopping experience so much more relaxing and even more enjoyable
- WAFI Mall – this artistic mall is reminiscent of a museum, with its 150 shops surrounded by intricate decor and beautiful sculptures
- Burjuman Centre – this mall exudes luxury, with some of the best brands in the world calling this mall home. From Christian Dior to Dolce and Gabbana to Hermes, you’ll find some of the most iconic designers in the world here
A shopping trip to Dubai wouldn’t be complete without spending some time haggling for a bargain at the local souks. There are numerous souks and markets sprinkled throughout the city, but some of the best are:
- Deira Gold Souk – there are over 300 gold vendors selling around 10 tons of gold in this souk. Even if gold isn’t something on your shopping list, this one is still worth a visit, simply for the unique experience alone!
- Bur Dubai Souk/Textile Souk – this market is all about textiles. From the stores selling raw silk, cashmere, and wool, to the traditional tailor shops that will transform those fabrics into one-of-a-kind creations, this is the souk to visit if you’re after some customized fashion
- Perfume Souk – discover your new signature scent at the ultra-fragrant Perfume Souk. This maze-like market is lined with tiny stalls that are each stocked with a tantalizing array of perfumes and other such concoctions
Singapore

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Many joke that the national pastime for Singaporeans is shopping, with this small island nation packed with an unbelievable number of stores and malls.
The main shopping street runs through the heart of the city, and is known as Orchard Road. You’ll find everything from quirky independent boutiques to gleaming mega malls here, making it no surprise that just about anything that you could need can be found on Orchard Road. Your best bet would be to start at one end and walk your way down, but give yourself at least a day or two to do this, since you’ll likely spend a few hours at each of the different malls.
Some of the best shopping malls on Orchard Road are:
- Wisma Atria – home to fashion, accessories, and skin care, including an OROGOLD boutique store
- Ngee Ann City – this Japanese-inspired mall is home to Takashimaya, which is the largest department store in the country, along with several other stores and services
- Ion Orchard – after you’ve admired this mall’s contemporary architecture, you can easily spend a few hours browsing the 300 retail stores here, while also stopping in for a bite to eat at the many restaurants and cafes
Other notable shopping areas to visit include:
- The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands – this mall is one of the most luxurious in Singapore. In addition to numerous premier brands, including Louis Vuitton and Tom Ford, you’ll also be able to dine at the many celebrity restaurants here
- Funan – if you’re looking for the IT and electronics that Singapore is famous for, the recently refurbished Funan mall is the place to go
- Suntec City – this mall is so large that it’s split into four wings, each one packed with a vibrant array of stores
Of course, Singapore isn’t only about designer malls and luxury brands. There are numerous markets around the city to browse too, including:
- Bugis Street Market – just across the road from the sleek Bugis Mall, the Bugis Street Market specializes in low-cost, brightly-colored goods, making this the perfect place to go to bag yourself some souvenirs
- Chinatown Street Markets – traditional but upscale Chinese goods can be found here, from artisan chopsticks to sophisticated calligraphy scrolls
- So Galem Market – this buzzing flea market sells lots of homemade goods, from flower arrangements to candles
London

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With London being such a cosmopolitan city, the shopping options here are truly varied, and that’s exactly what makes it shopping in London such a thrill.
Considered to be the busiest street in London, Oxford Street is also the city’s main shopping street. There are more than 300 shops, malls, and outlets here, with everything from quirky British fashion designers to international luxury brands. This is also where you will find Selfridges, one of the most famous shopping malls in the city.
Oxford Street may be diverse, but if upscale is what you’re looking for, then Knightsbridge is the place to go. This is where you will find the world-famous Harrods, which sprawls out across four and a half acres and stocks just about everything that you could imagine, accompanied with a high price tag.
Other popular London spots that shopaholics will adore include:
- King’s Road – favored by many local celebrities, King’s Road is loved for its designer fashion and interior design stores, along with its vintage boutiques
- Carnaby Street – a popular name in the 1960’s, Carnaby Street still has a lot going for it, with many cutting-edge clothing brands calling this street home
- Westfield – unlike most of the other shopping centers you’ll see around London, Westfield is more American-style. There are over 300 retailers selling their goods here, along with a separate section of the mall called The Village, where you will find luxury fashion and an elegant champagne bar
- Notting Hill – this is another area that is world-famous, partly due to the movie with the same name. Just like in the movie, real life Notting Hill is also boho-chic central, with numerous vintage designer boutiques lining the streets
Sydney

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Sydney definitely holds its own compared to the other cities on this list when it comes to retail therapy, with some of the best brands in the world found in the capital of New South Wales. Locals love staying atop of the latest trends, and this is mirrored by everything sold in Sydney’s stores.
One of the most iconic shopping malls in the city is Pitt Street Mall. This is the mall that basically has everything, from international fashion brands to jewelry and accessories. It’s a large mall, but once you’ve managed to finish browsing all that’s available, you’ll notice that there are several other smaller malls and shopping arcades that branch off from Pitt Street Mall, meaning that it will be a while before you’re actually done shopping in this area.
One of the malls that branches off from Pitt Street Mall is Westfield Sydney, where you’ll find several famous department stores, including Myer and David Jones. Intermingled with local brands are big-name designers, from Givenchy to Chanel to Calvin Klein.
Other shopping hotspots in Sydney are:
- World Square – there are several popular clothing and cosmetics stores here, along with a good selection of eateries, making it easy to spend the entire day here
- The Rocks Precinct – famous for its handmade goods and luxury fashion, as well as a large duty free shopping store. While you’re here, take a short stroll over to George Street, where you can treat your skin to some love and appreciation at the OROGOLD store
- Harbourside Shopping Centre – if you like to enjoy a view while shopping, then the waterfront location of the Harbourside Shopping Centre won’t disappoint. In addition to shops, there are also several exquisite restaurants here, as well as movie theaters, bowling alleys, and more
- Queen Victoria Building – this 19th century building in the CBD was originally built to be a local marketplace, which is why it takes over an entire city block. However, today it is home to over 100 different stores that sell everything from artisan foods to luxury fashion to fine art, all housed in the most elaborate of architectural styles
If you want a change of scene from shopping malls, spend some time browsing Sydney’s eclectic range of markets. Some of the most popular include:
- Carriageworks Farmers Market – a foodie’s dream come true, with 70 different stalls selling everything from aged cheeses to organic nuts to freshly baked artisanal breads
- Kirribilli Art, Design and Fashion Market – this monthly market is divided into two sections. The first is for fashion, which heavily features emerging designers, and the second is all about Art and Design, with homeware, ceramics, and so much more
- The Rocks Market – this market is where all tourists go for unique souvenirs. Buy your loved ones back home an original print of Australian wildlife, eco-friendly jewelry, or gold-dipped native leaves
- Paddington Markets – this is where Australian fashion brand Zimmermann began, and the market today continues to support up-and-coming designers. There are 150 stores to browse, selling a mixture of fashion, jewelry, and art, making this the market of choice for those who like to find the next big fashion trend
- Manly Market – locals love this market for the fresh organic food sold here, along with the freshly cut flowers. However, you’ll also find stalls selling retro items and giftware, along with snacks that are perfect for spending the day at the nearby Manly Beach
Just about every city in the world has something to offer when it comes to shopping, but if you really want to be spoilt for choice, then these five cities are the places to go. From the laid-back vibe of Sydney to the bustling energy of New York City, any shopaholic planning their dream shopping trip will need to visit each of these destinations.