We’re not saying that it should be the only reason to plan a trip, but shopping is a nice excuse to justify a plane ticket (especially when you factor in brand exclusives you can only get overseas and tax-back benefits). Many of the world’s best shopping destinations also happen to be architecturally noteworthy and culturally interesting. In some cases, like Hong Kong or Bangkok, shopping is inextricably linked to culture. So, move aside New York City, Miami and Los Angeles — here’s a look at 10 shopping destinations worth a plane trip. Bonus: All of these culture-rich locales have plenty of traditional sightseeing and relaxation spots to boot.
10 Shopping Destinations Worth a Plane Trip
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Quadrilatero d'Oro in Milan
No visit to Milan would be complete without a visit to Carla Sozzani's 10 Corso Como (mecca for fashion editor favorites like Gareth Pugh), but it's a bit off the beaten path, so start your journey at Quadrilatero d'Oro. The square is dotted with straight-from-the-runway designer fashion. Among the most well-known streets are Via della Spiga, Via Montenapoleone and Via Sant'Andrea, where you'll find stores like La Perla, Gucci and Missoni.
Image: Courtesy of Gucci
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Maximilianstraße in Munich
Munich may not be world-renowned for being particularly fashion-forward, but the peaceful city has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping. Concentrated around Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz, you'll want to start your journey on Maximilianstraße. Lined with awe-inspiring buildings (most of which were immaculately restored after the war), it's full of designer shops and boutiques ranging from Dolce & Gabbana to Tory Burch. The area gets brownie points for also having a number of delectable cafes to fuel your spending.
Image: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana
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rue Saint-Honoré in Paris
Stopping into Colette is practically a rite of passage for anyone who considers themselves a lover of fashion, but that's far from all that rue Saint-Honoré offers. Located in the 1st Arrondissement, it's full of shops ranging from traditional designer brands like Versace and Hermes to streetwear spots like Starcow to affordable boutiques like Cotélac.
Image: Courtesy of colette
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Shoreditch in London
You probably know Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Piccadilly and Soho, and while there's no denying that stores like Harvey Nichols are worth a visit, Shoreditch is the area to go for the most memorable experience. Dotted with chic cafes and London hipsters, be sure to stop at Sweaty Betty and Brick Lane Market.
Image: Courtesy of Sweaty Betty
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Causeway Bay in Hong Kong
When you land at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, you might feel a bit like you're in New York. Not only are there multiple shopping malls including Sogo, which is 13 floors, there are countless designer brand stores and boutiques like Lane Crawford.
Image: Courtesy of Lane Crawford
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Sukhumvit in Bangkok
The major pastime in Bangkok is shopping, which is reflected in the endless malls. You'll find the most noteworthy ones in Sukhumvit, particularly Terminal 21, which has over 600 stores.
Image: Courtesy of K-Village
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Ginza in Japan
Shibuya, Harajuku, Asakusa...you could spend months and still not explore all of what Japan's fashion scene has to offer, but Ginza is the best area to start. Expect to find everything from Dover Street Market to the Uniqlo flagship and plenty of niche shops in between.
Image: Courtesy of Uniqlo
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Myeongdong in Seoul
South Koreans love to shop and Myeongdong is the best place to do so. Aside from designer brands and affordable chains, you'll find malls and a ton of spots to load up on Korean beauty products you won't find anywhere else in the world.
Image: Courtesy of Forever 21
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The Dubai Mall in Dubai
Given that it can get insanely hot in Dubai, it's fitting that malls are where the prime shopping action happens. The most notable shopping destination is The Dubai Mall, which has over 1,000 stores and a ton of Instagram-worthy features, including a four-story indoor waterfall and an Olympic-size ice rink.
Image: Courtesy of The Dubai Mall
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Salamanca in Madrid
Salamanca is one of the wealthiest areas in Madrid and also where you'll find some of the best shopping. From designer shops like Agatha Ruiz de la Prada to affordably priced chains like COS and local favorites like Bimba y Lola, this area has it all.
Image: Courtesy of Agatha Ruiz de la Prada
