Hamburg’s answer to Barneys, this contemporary, upscale department store is housed inside a grand warehouse building dating to 1912 that faces onto Lake Alster. Here you will find all of the expected luxury brands arrayed over five floors and 250,000 square feet of retail space.

Innovative tastemaker Andreas Murkudis is at it again with the opening of a high-end concept store, which launched in 2015. It is located just around the corner from his 10,000-square-foot flagship (which focuses on fashion, accessories and beauty products) in an up-and-coming area bordering Potsdamer Platz; though it’s a bit of a hike from where you’re likely staying in Mitte, a number of fantastic art galleries have recently begun sprouting up in the neighborhood. At this new venture, it’s all about design; AM Möbel und Architektur displays a fastidiously curated array of interior products, including luxe Italian linens, delicate ceramics, and handmade furniture and lighting. While local residents can take advantage of the individual services—a team of architects and interior designers is on hand—those visiting Berlin can rest assured that they’ll find something small to take home, such as an exquisite porcelain vase by LINCK KERAMIK.

The high-end boutique of concept store impresario Andreas Murkudis used to occupy a choice courtyard near the Hackesche Höfe. In 2011, Murkudis moved the entire production into an underdeveloped area miles off the well-trodden path. Now located in a former newspaper printing press, Murkudis’ emporium is as cool and cutting-edge as ever, with a well-edited assortment of fashion, accessories, design and beauty products. It’s all extremely high-end and both design- and fashion-conscious men and women will be very happy here (though you best take a taxi from your hotel).

This minimalist boutique in the well-heeled suburb of Eppendorf displays glamorous womenswear, handbags and shoes from the eponymous designer as well as pieces from Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and Nili Lotan.

Anuschka Hoevener creates modern pieces with feminine touches; each is handmade and features unique details like ruffles on the shoulder of a fitted top and a brightly colored lining peeking out from under a tailored skirt. If you’re looking for something that no one else back in the States will have, this is an ideal place to discover it.

This former textile factory has been transformed into a hip and trendy neighborhood. The loft-like space of the Apartment includes a wine bar and boutique and live music.

Like a mini Colette in Berlin, this shop on Mitte’s great shopping street sells both local and international designers, including Stine Goya and Vanessa Baroni.

Having worked for exclusive fashion houses as Valentino and Armani, Hamburg-born Bettina Schoenbach has a keen eye for style and how to accentuate the female figure in a sophisticated, demure way. Her beautifully designed apparel ranges from satin blouses and a classic woolcrepe coat to elegant evening wear. She is also the chief adviser and designer for German Prime Minister Angela Merkel.

Until this concept mall opened in 2014, all of the avant-garde shopping in Berlin was centered in the former East in neighborhoods such as Mitte. Hipsters and cool hunters would rarely venture into the staid former West Berlin, but now thanks to Neni on top of the 25hours Hotel and the pop-up shops in the Bikini Mall, this is a popular hangout and a one-stop-shop for contemporary German fashion. On the ground floor, 20 giant wooden boxes contain temporary retail outlets whose exhibitors may soon graduate to more permanent spaces in the multistory mall. In addition to its shops and cafés, the mall boasts incredible views directly into the baboon exhibit of the Berlin Zoo from both the indoor public spaces as well as the terraced outdoor area that leads to the 25hours Hotel. The more established brands like Andreas Murkudis and Aspesi are on the higher floors.

This Schwabing shop carries a cool mix of trendy fashion and is fun to browse.

The oldest German jewelry company, which dates back to 1743, Brahmfeld and Gutruf occupies a prominent storefront on Neuerwall. Although no longer owned by the same family, the store still sells the impressive handmade watches as well as glittering gems and precious pieces from fabled jewelers.

Founded by a Berlin couple, Katja and Michael Will, who once worked at MTV, C’est Tout Berlin claims to bring Parisian chic to Berlin fashion. Their style is sexy and chic and focuses on dresses. The name comes from French for ‘That’s It’ and the idea that a good dress is all you need to look great. But over the past five years they have added blouses, jackets, sweaters, skirts and accessories to the line. There are a number of outlets in Berlin.

Chi Chi Fan displays beautifully made leather satchels, briefcases, purses and accessories in a rainbow of colors and finished with elegant hardware.

Munich has some of Germany’s most beautiful and memorable Christmas markets, which generally go up in late November and stay up until December 23. The three most memorable ones are:

• Residenz: Set in the courtyard of the Residenz, this traditional market has live music performances and an old-world ambience. The stands offer lovely handcrafted wares. Entrance: Odeonsplatz.
• Medieval: With its stands that mimic medieval times and actors and salespeople in olden fashion, this market is a fabulous option with children. Also, the food stands here, with delicious homemade fare, are unmatched. Entrance: Wittelsbacherplatz.
• Chinesischer Turm: This market has a lovely setting in the Englischer Garten.

An icon of Berlin fashion, Claudia Skoda can claim to be part of the original Berlin underground scene and channels her inner ‘60s child even today. Among her claims to fame are having partied with Iggy Pop and David Bowie. She is best known for her knitwear, which may conjure an edgier Missoni meets Norma Kamali. She was the first to create knitted jeans, so prepare to be surprised and find unusual only-in-Berlin fashions.

This chic, airy shop carries the German brand’s own high quality denim, soft t-shirts and cozy knits for men and women.

A hat gallery of one-of-a-kind hats that owner Cornelia Plotzki considers art to wear. If you don’t see what you want, consult with the designer on premises.

Mira Becker, the designer behind Cruba, studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and has brought a sophisticated sensibility to the avant-garde Berlin fashion scene. Working with cashmere and silk, she creates architectural pieces that have the palette and texture of Malo but the modern lines of Armani.

You have to feel for the white-gloved staff of this luxe delicatessen and Munich institution. Thanks to the store’s over-the-top, deliciously beautiful displays of everything from coffee to caviar, the multi-room shop has become a tourist sight, and hordes shuffle through the narrow displays daily (reportedly Dallmayr gets more visitors than Neuschwanstein Castle annually). It’s still worth having a look and perhaps compiling a picnic to take into the Englischer Garten. The cheese and charcuterie counters alone are a sight to behold. Many of the treats, including the handcrafted chocolates, are made on the premises.

For some of the best vintage shopping in the city head to Mitte and Das Neue Schwarz, which carries designers from Dries Van Noten and Hermès to Jil Sander.

Ingrid Willekes, who is Dutch and married to an art dealer, personally chooses each piece for her collection of European-made children’s clothing, shoes and gift items. Her inventory is small but perfect