SHOPPING

Shopping

Offering some of the best buys in Europe, a day of shopping in Copenhagen is something to behold. The most notable place to browse and spend is the Str�get, which comprises five streets and 2 miles (3.2km) of pedestrianised shopping heaven.  Copenhagen�s main stores can be found along here as well as caf�s for weary shoppers to stop and refuel.

At the top end of the Str�get, shoppers with a penchant for designer labels can splurge at Prada, Chanel and Versace among others. Magasin du Nord, Scandinavia�s largest department store can be found in this area too.

There is, of course, the obligatory souvenir shopping one must do when in Copenhagen, and Lego can be scooped up for a song here while Scandinavian Crystal and Royal Copenhagen porcelain are not to be forgotten.

Shops in Copenhagen are mostly open from 9.30am to 5pm or 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. VAT in Copenhagen is sky-high at 25% and is added on to the price of all consumer goods and services. Non-European Union visitors can apply for a tax refund on goods to the value of a minimum of DKK300, which must be spent in one store.

Visitors can also purchase goods from shops that participate in the Global Refund shopping programme by showing their passport. These stores can be identified by the Global Refund logo displayed in their window. Shoppers are given a cheque showing the refund they are owed which can be claimed at the point of departure when leaving the country.