For those who love to shop, this can be as much an international sport as any you will find in the program at the next Olympic Games.

It’s the thrill of haggling in international markets, the strained faces of people fighting for items in a mall, and the stamina to get up at ungodly hours for a city’s sample sale stampedes. It’s the bragging rights in finding a souvenir or luxury item for so little that you’re the envy of your friends and family on returning home. For some, just the search for that must-have item can be as fun as owning the actual product. Best places to shop in the world. 

Yes, shopping is a sport. And some cities offer shoppers a variety of options. So, where are the top shopping destinations around the globe?

The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world. And, if getting paid to shop for people while you’re overseas sounds like the dream, you should set up a free account on Grabr; a peer-to-peer delivery service where travelers get paid to shop for people and bring home hard-to-find items for a sweet delivery fee. Your travels take you to distant places…why not make some extra money shopping for people while you’re there?! What are the best cities in the world for shopping?

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The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world.

The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is all about luxury at a low cost. The city is packed with fun stores, though shoppers in search of glitz and glamour head to the Central District. This is where you can whip out the plastic for a $5,000 handbag at Lane Crawford, or shop for sunglasses and shoes at Square Street.

With 42 million visitors flocking into Hong Kong shops, shop clerks know how to cater to international shoppers and can speak several languages. They’re almost obsessive in their help; don’t be surprised if they follow you around until you find what you’re looking for. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, they’ll tell you! Shopping in Hong Kong. Best shopping experience in the world. 

Paris

Paris is a European shopping mecca, and the buzz and hype that surrounds the shopping experience here is like no other. Beautiful neighborhoods are bursting at the seams with designer fashion stores, and stylish people strutting the streets. It’s safe to say that Paris is a shopper’s dream.

The best shops in Paris don’t sell clothes. They sell lifestyles. The city is set up with over five major department stores and 17,500 + shops. The 8th arrondissement is where you will find “flagship stores for some of the most renowned fashion labels in the world—Chanel, Hermès, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton.” The 3rd arrondissement is packed with an array of less traditional, more trendy shops. Where to shop in Paris. Bargain shops in Paris. 

Those seeking a mix of designer fashion and quirky jewelry, clothes and shoes should head to Merci. They often offer apparel by Stella McCartney and Yves St Laurent at a heavy discount. The Champs-Elysees is another hot spot for shoppers; “a mix of global chains and couture designers mixed in with the various architectural and tourists spots like the Arc de Triomphe.”

The 8th arrondissement in Paris is where you will find “flagship stores for some of the most renowned fashion labels in the world—Chanel, Hermès, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton.”

Paris, Eiffel tower during the sparkling effect which only lasts some seconds, seen from the opposite bank of the Seine river.

Los Angeles

Shopping is one of the best activities in Los Angeles, and the experience here is very much a mall culture. Whether it’s digging through vintage stores or window-shopping for extravagant luxury goods, “this large, spread-out city provides a lot of choices when it comes to spending”.

Start your shopping experience in the sprawling LA Fashion District in Downtown LA. Shopping centers like The Grove, Beverly Center, Hollywood & Highland, The Americana at Brand, Third Street Promenade, and Santa Monica Place all offer a true LA mall experience. Where to shop in LA. 

Eclectic shopping neighborhoods can be found throughout Los Angeles. Those seeking a quirkier shopping experience should head to Venice Beach, while those in search of cutting edge fashion and great people watching should head to Melrose Avenue. The best shopping in Los Angeles. 

“If you’ve got deep pockets, Rodeo Drive and Robertson Blvd. are must-sees, while bargain hunters will want to check out the outlets in Camarillo, the Citadel, Desert Hills and Ontario Mills.” Want a professional chauffeur for the day to top off your shopping experience? Blacklane in Los Angeles offers ground transportation.

If you’ve got deep pockets, Rodeo Drive and Robertson Blvd. are must-sees, while bargain hunters will want to check out the outlets in Camarillo, the Citadel, Desert Hills and Ontario Mills.

Shopping is one of the best activities in Los Angeles, and the experience here is very much a mall culture. Whether it’s digging through vintage stores or window-shopping for extravagant luxury goods, “this large, spread-out city provides a lot of choices when it comes to spending”.

Melbourne

Shopping is something that draws both domestic and international travelers to Melbourne. The most multi-cultural city in Australia, shopping here is truly a pleasure. There are the department stores, shopping centers, and all the major international brands, though the Melbourne shopping scene is best known for it’s local designers, shopping streets and arcades, some of which you will only find if you know where to look. Where to shop in Melbourne. 

Local secrets include Swanton Street near Flinders Lane. Those in the know can find “a multitude of trendy vintage stores, bargain shopping and one-of-a-kind pieces.” Chapel Street is where you will find stores by Australian designers, and an array of second-hand shops. “Queen Victoria Market is an enormous swap meet that would take days to cover in its entirety. Browsers can find anything from one-of-a-kind trinkets to hand-made sweaters.”

For high-end designer stores, head to Collins Street. You can find the mall experience at Melbourne Central and explore more than 300 stores, restaurants and a movie theater. Best shopping in Melbourne. 

London

It’s easy to pack in some good quality retail therapy in London. The city offers several distinct shopping precincts and streets, each with their own specialties and themes. “From luxury goods in Mayfair to quirky finds in Covent Garden, to famous London department stores like Harrods”, and even precincts dedicated to food, you can easily spend an hour, an afternoon or a whole day browsing shops in London. Best shopping in London. 

Shopping hot spots include high end shopping along Oxford street (clothing retailer Topshop and department store Selfridges have their flagship stores here), and the infamous Harrods department store, though one of the biggest retail draws here is the city’s huge network of markets.

Dover Street Market is the most fashion forward. Old Spitalfields Market is great for menswear and handmade goods. Portobello Road Market is where you can find antiques and bric-a-brac. Camden Markets are full of eclectic open air stalls selling second-hand clothes, art, furniture and jewelry by young designers. Where to shop in London. Shop at markets in London. 

It’s easy to pack in some good quality retail therapy in London. The city offers several distinct shopping precincts and streets, each with their own specialties and themes.

From luxury goods in Mayfair to quirky finds in Covent Garden, to large shopping centres like Westfield and famous London department stores like Harrods, you can easily spend an hour, an afternoon or a whole day browsing shops in London.

New York

In terms of sheer variety and abundance of styles and shops, New York City is the “gleaming shopping Mecca that dreams are made of”. Truly a melting pot, from designer fashion on Fifth Avenue to knock-offs in Chinatown, New York is a city that caters to everyone when it comes to shopping, regardless of whether you want to spend a little cash, or a lot. Shop in New York.

This is a city that offers a huge diversity in style and interpretations of chic. Orchard Street on the Lower East Side is full of trendsetters and vintage stores. Though if you’re willing to look past Manhattan, Brooklyn Flea offers vintage collectibles and local arts and crafts you won’t find at any chain store.

The Upper East Side is where you will find institutions like Tiffany’s, Barneys, and Bergdorf Goodman (their Christmas displays are worth a trip alone). Soho’s busy streets are full of fast fashion for revamping your wardrobe (Zara, UNIQLO, H&M) and big names (Prada, Phillip Lim, Chanel). Nolita is one of the city’s best kept secrets, and Elizabeth Street offers an array of boutiques. Pick up some food souvenirs to keep your stamina going throughout the day.

In terms of sheer variety and abundance of styles and shops, New York City is the “gleaming shopping Mecca that dreams are made of”.

In terms of sheer variety and abundance of styles and shops, New York City is the “gleaming shopping Mecca that dreams are made of”.

Milan

When you’re thinking of things to do in Milan, shopping tops the list. A list of best cities for shopping wouldn’t be complete without Milan. It seems like every fashion house in the world has a presence here, from the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Prada, and Versace. A true shopping mecca, Milan will make you lust over designer goods you could never afford. Or could you?

One of the most beautiful (and expensive) shopping experiences is that of Quadrilatero della Moda or Quadrilatero d’Oro (‘rectangle of gold’). This is considered by many fashion insiders as the most important fashion district in the world. Though while the boutiques and lifestyle showrooms cater to the black cards, yesterday’s styles are tossed aside so fast, so for bargain shoppers, outlets and sales racks are always full. Best shops in Milan.

“Il Salvagente (“the lifesaver”), Milan’s best known and longest established outlet, has three floors of goods discounted up to 60%, all organized by size and color.” But it’s unlikely anyone back home will even know you shopped at an outlet mall — Milan fashions are always months ahead of the trends everywhere else in the world! Where is the best shopping in the world?

Milan lays claim to the world’s first Prada store.

A list of best cities for shopping wouldn’t be complete without Milan.

Dubai

The city with the world’s most opulent and extravagant malls, there was no question as to whether Dubai would make this list. A miniature kingdom unto itself, Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world. The shopping experience here includes theme parks, a waterfall, “dancing” fountains, Olympic-sized ice rink, aquarium, indoor souk and malls within the mall, such as the Galeries Lafayette from France and the first Bloomingdale’s outside the United States. There is also the Mall of the Emirates, with the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. Shopping in Dubai. The best shops in Dubai. 

Though souks and traditional Arabian markets play a crucial role in the life and trade of Dubai’s residents, and exploring one of the city’s many marketplaces is an essential experience for visitors. Whether you’re after some lavish gold jewellery, hand-woven fabrics or traditional oud fragrances, there are souks for almost every need. Shopping in Souks in Dubai. 

Head to the Gold Souk for gold, the Spice Souk for spice, and the Perfume Souk for, you guessed it, perfume. There is also the Textile Souk, Souk Al Bahar (inside Dubai Mall), and Souk Madinat for those in search of food.

Though souks and traditional Arabian markets play a crucial role in the life and trade of Dubai’s residents, and exploring one of the city’s many marketplaces is an essential experience for visitors.

Whether you’re after some lavish gold jewellery, hand-woven fabrics or traditional oud fragrances, there are souks for almost every need.

Make Money Shopping Overseas

I’m sure you have been asked by your friends or family to bring something from abroad. Now you can get paid! I want to get paid to shop for people. 

Start your free Grabr account for opportunities to get paid to pick up items for Shoppers. It literally only takes a few seconds to begin; you can quickly sign in with your Facebook account or login with your email address.

How Grabr works is that the shopper creates a grab (that’s what they call orders), travelers make their delivery offers, the shopper then chooses the traveler he/she likes, and a delivery happens! Get paid to shop. 

So travelers get an added sense of adventure, some extra cash, and a chance to meet new people. Shoppers get access to goods that they otherwise couldn’t have. How do I become a personal shopper? Will people pay me to shop?

The amount of money to fulfill the buyer’s grab (your delivery fee) is agreed upon before you head off to shop, and there is no cap on the number of Grabs you can take on at once, so theoretically your earning potential is unlimited.

Start Shopping

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The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world.

The following destinations are some of the most fashion-frenzy, shopping capitols of the world.

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

Follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Photo credits: Louis Vuitton by zoetnet. Eiffel Tower by night by Moyan Brenn. Empire State Building by Sam valadi. Times Square by MK Feeney. Prada – Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – Milan by Lorenzoclick. Gold Souk Dubai by neekoh.fi. Souk Madinat by Gilles.

Post completed in our role as Brand Ambassadors for Grabr.