Touring the different countries of the Old Continent is something that every person should do at least once in their life. From its historical monuments to its natural paradises, there is definitely a lot to do and see in Europe.
As for modern constructions and technology, countries like Turkey, England and Poland (among many others) have nothing to envy the rest of the world and we can appreciate this in the magnitude of their shopping centers.
If you plan a trip to one of these countries and you are one of those who consider that tourism is synonymous with shopping, then you cannot miss the following description of the 10 largest shopping centers in Europe.
1. Bielany Retail Park
We start our list with a shopping center that, although it beats many others in Europe in size, is actually the second largest in Poland.
Located in the city of Wroclaw, Bielany Retail Park has a commercial space available of 170,000 square meters, where you can find more than 80 stores of the best brands (including an IKEA), a dozen restaurants and a cinema.
It was designed and built under the concept of family entertainment, so that from the biggest to the little ones will find some fun in this shopping center.
It is an ideal alternative for those who also seek to discover new cultures and exotic countries.
2. Shopping City Sud
It is one of the oldest and most iconic centers in all of Europe, due to the magnitude of its size for having been inaugurated in 1976.
Located in the city of Vienna, Austria, it has a commercial space of 173,000 square meters and a total of 330 stores, among which you will find everything from restaurant chains to the sale of products and services.
It has the peculiarity of having its own train station, to receive its visitors, and one of its main attractions are the Christmas fairs and events that take place in winter.
If you want to visit this shopping center, do it between Monday and Saturday, as take into account that the opening of commercial premises on Sundays is prohibited by Austrian law.
3. Venice Port
It is a modern shopping center that offers something different for every occasion: good prices, attractions and rest areas.
It opened its doors in 2012 in the city of Zaragoza, Spain, housing 40 restaurants and more than 150 shops, in its 206,000 square meters of commercial space.
It has ideal shopping and rest areas, but mainly with a very popular leisure area for its ski slopes. karting, boating, roller coasters, wave track, climbing rocks and its latest attraction: a 10 meter high free fall jump.
Just one year after its inauguration, Puerto Venecia won an award for the best shopping center in the world, making it at least the most important shopping center in Spain.
4. Trafford Center
The construction of the Trafford Center was a real challenge to architecture and engineering due to its unique baroque style, taking about 27 years to finally open its doors in 1998.
Located in the city of Manchester, England, its 207,000 square meters of commercial space houses more than 280 stores of distinguished brands, as well as a variety of restaurants and attractions.
In its facilities you can find fun in its large cinema, its LEGO Land park, bowling, arcade games, indoor soccer fields and even a practice track Sky Diving.
In addition, in its facilities is the largest chandelier in the world, holder of a recognition in the book of world records.
Whether it is to contemplate the elegance of its facilities, go shopping or spend a different afternoon, if you are in Manchester, you must know this shopping center.
5. MEGA Khimki
It is located in the city of Moscow, Russia, and although it leads the group of 12 shopping centers MEGA Family Shopping Center as the favorite of the majority, curiously it is the second largest in the whole country.
With a retail space of more than 210,000 square meters and 250 stores, chances are that you will not be able to tour the entire mall in just one afternoon.
The MEGA shopping centers are owned by the IKEA group, so you will mainly find here appliance, furniture, decoration and other stores.
However, due to its wide variety of shops, you will also find clothes for the whole family and fashion accessories.
6. Westgate Mall
If you are not surprised by the facilities of the Trafford Center, perhaps you should travel to London and see for yourself the colossal size of the Westgate Mall, the largest shopping center in England.
Thanks to its 220,000 square meters of commercial space and its 365 stores of the most famous brands in the world, its facilities offer one of the maximum experiences of shopping that you can find in Europe.
You will find attractions among which its large cinema, bowling and their most recent acquisition: a top-notch casino.
In addition, they have a multilingual service to help visitors from around the world find what they want, in virtually any language, so the visit is quite attractive.
7. C. The Machinist
Not in vain they describe themselves as an oasis of desires in the suburbs, being the largest shopping center in all of Spain, receiving an average of between 12 and 15 million visitors per year.
Located in San Andrés, Barcelona, and inaugurated in 2000, in its 250,000 square meters you will find almost 250 of the most recognized stores, as well as 43 restaurants, a cinema and other services such as childcare centers.
In addition to its 3 floors of shops, La Maquinista houses an open plaza ideal for users to rest after a long day of shopping.
8. Arkadia
We return to Poland, specifically its capital Warsaw, to visit the largest shopping center in its country and the third largest in all of Europe.
It is characterized by its beautiful winter-style design, with glass ceilings and mosaics made from grayish natural stones, where thanks to its 287,000 square meters of commercial space you will find a total of 230 stores and 25 restaurants.
In addition to its large size, thanks to the quality of its facilities, it is one of the 3 shopping centers in Europe to receive a 4-star rating, making this an ideal visit if you have the opportunity to get to know it.
9. MEGA Belaya Dacha
It is the largest shopping center in all of Russia and the leader of the MEGA branch, intended to meet the highest demands of all users who visit it.
Located in the capital of Moscow, Belaya Dacha is more than a place to do your shopping, because in its 300,000 square meters - in addition to almost 300 stores - you will find from hypermarkets to amusement parks and billiard rooms.
But its main attraction is the so-called Detsky Mir (Children's World), where the little ones in the house have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day, while their parents can quietly shop.
Thanks to its colossal size, it has earned the position as the second largest shopping center in Europe, only surpassed by ...
10. Istanbul Cehavir
The king of shopping centers in Europe is in Turkey, specifically in its capital Istanbul, with an incredible 420,000 square meters of commercial space.
In its 6 floors you will find more than 340 exclusive brand stores, 34 fast food lines and 14 exclusive restaurants to choose from.
Among its attractions you will find 12 cinemas, including a private theater and a room reserved only for children, as well as a track bowling and even a roller coaster.
In its glass ceiling you will find the second largest clock in the world.
If you plan a trip to Istanbul, you can definitely take a couple of days to fully tour Istanbul Cehavir.
Now that you know which are the largest shopping centers in Europe, which one would you visit first? Tell us your opinion in the comments section!
