The Ultimate Shopping Guide: London Calling

Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbay, Globe Theatre, British Museum, Tate Modern. Only a few addresses on tourist map of London. And what happens when someone has seen all the sights? Goes shopping. Let's see where!

London is the city of bohemianism and eclectism. Some say if you cannot find something there it does not exist. For sure in the city's almost 30000 shops everyone is to find the proper item for themselves.

The most famous shopping street is Oxford Street where everything is on sale from picayunes to the greatest designers' creations. Bargain hunters flood TopShop and Primark for cheap goods, they can purchase a shirt for 5 pounds and trousers for 10 pounds. In Debemhams fashionistas might have to have deeper pockets, but with watchful eyes unique clothes can be obtained for as little as 25 pounds at sales. For make-up lovers the other renowned department store, Selfridges is highly recommended.

Shopaholics usually collect some shopping bags of exclusive casual brands like Gap or French Connection on the nearby Regent Street, but they should prepare with serious amount of money if they stray around Savile Row or Bond Street. Without it only window-shopping is the option in front of Versace and Prada. However, at Regent Street Hamleys is a hot spot for everyone with a childish soul, on seven floors dolls, teddys and other fantastic toys allure children and adults, as well.

It takes only a few minutes walk to see bookaholics' heaven Water­stone’s on Picadilly which is not only Europe's utmost bookstore but only one pound could be enough for a novel. Similarly, a must-see destination is the luxurious Fortnum & Mason famous for its fancy tees and jams.

Covent Garden is another shop-around-the-clock centre with international brands on reasonable prices and hip, bohemian designers with unique taste. Finally, when fashionistas have shopped until they have dropped might get amused by the bustling streetlife with musicians and showmen.

Knightsbridge is the quarter of high-end department stores. So much so that their names can be read as directions in the underground instead of street names like turn right for Harrods and turn left for the long time rival Harvey Nichols. At Harrods luxury is a basic requirement for items and services, too, but quality has price. Being a proud owner of iconic green shopping bags one needs almost as deep pocket as was needed on Regent and Bond streets. The food department has more affordable prices but in return shoppers only get white bags with green label.

Moreover, London is rightly well-known for its markets. Portobello Market is the place for adventurers who can shop for vegetables and fruits, vintage goods and inexpensive books on weekdays. Every Saturday 1500 pitches of antique retailers wait for bargain hunters. Camden Market is similarly popular, but its public safety is not the best. Who is into trendy second-hand clothes, accessories and organic foods go to Old Spitalfields Market on Sunday mornings.

Consequently, London is a real happiness therapy for shopaholics, who need to arrive in comfortable shoes…