Best duty-Free shops in Europe: TOP Airports guide for shopping

Did you know there is an annual award for the best airport shopping? This year’s winner is Doha’s Hamad International Airport, but our journey will take us through Europe’s airports where we will get access to luxury brands, regional specialties, and tax-free savings.

Before burning your credit balance, here are some fun facts about airport duty-free shops.

While traditional brick-and-mortar shops struggle to compete with online shopping and gain back at least half of the customers they used to have before digitalization, airport duty-free shops experience a rise in customer interest. Why? We love shopping and the best thing we can do instead of waiting for the flight is SHOPPING.

Most of the global airports know this fact and invest heavily in passengers’ shopping experience far beyond standard duty-free products.

Duty-free is, first of all, about prices, nice ones that make us shop for more. The more you travel the more you learn about different airports and get your own list of best duty-free shops. For now, here is our list of Europe’s top duty-free shops.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

The busiest airport, Heathrow is like the Holy Grail of duty-free shopping. Heathrow generates over £2 billion annually in retail revenue. With everything from Chanel to Burberry, terminal 5 is more than just a place to have a stroll before your flight.

You’ll find up to 50% off spirits compared to high-street prices, and there’s a “Reserve & Collect” service if you’re short on time. How does it work? Browse the online shop before you travel, gather your cart, reserve it, and quickly pay upon arrival.

Heathrow is also home to a dedicated boutique for luxury travelers—Heathrow VIP, offering personal shopping consultants. It’s also one of the few airports where you can find exclusive collaborations between brands and the airport.

• Fun fact: While Heathrow’s duty-free shops are the most visited, they are one of the most expensive with exclusive tobacco selection.
• Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for limited-edition whiskies and exclusive skincare kits at seasonal sales.

✈️ Check out best deals for flights to London

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France

Charles de Gaulle Airport duty-free is the venue where Parisian flair meets practicality. As expected, it is heaven for fragrance and skincare fans, with exclusive French brands like Guerlain and Lancôme taking center stage. When we say exclusive we do mean that because CDG hosts a Hermès boutique and La Maison du Chocolat, both offering exclusive airport-only items.

Keep your shopping enthusiasm in Paris and feel free to get tax-free shopping as a bonus at terminal 2. Plus, their Extime Rewards program adds a cherry on top with discounts for loyal shoppers.

• Pro Tip: Stock up on French wines and gourmet macarons—they’re unbeatable here.

✈️ See the best prices for Yerevan-Paris flight tickets

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Netherlands

Schiphol has a surprisingly eclectic mix of offerings. From exclusive accessories like Bvlgari luxurious jewelry and watches to Dutch cheese and stroopwafels, it is more than a place to “waste” time. You will find regular discounts and special offers for fragrances and holiday gifts so if you haven’t managed to shop in the city, Schiphol Airport will save the situation.

• Pro Tip: Their liquor section is exceptional. Grab a bottle of Genever (Dutch gin) for a taste of local culture. Besides liquor, look for tulip bulbs in special travel-safe packaging—a nod to Dutch heritage.

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Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany

Frankfurt’s duty-free stores are ideal for those who value efficiency and variety. With “Click & Collect,” you can browse online, order, and pick up with zero hassle. The perfume selection is particularly noteworthy with all the well-known top brands. The alcoholic beverages department will pleasantly surprise you with its special deals.

• Fun fact: FRA Airport has embraced sustainability where most offer carbon-neutral products and packaging.
• Pro Tip: German chocolates and Riesling wines make for perfect last-minute gifts.

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Zürich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland

If I were you at Zürich Airport I would shop for all the makeup and skincare gift sets. Luckily you are not me and you can explore the rest of the shops for branded accessories, liquor, and, of course, Swiss chocolate.
Fun fact: Look for the Lindt Chocolate boutique that offers interactive chocolate-making experiences—a hit for families.

• Pro Tip: Don’t miss the exclusive Swiss Army knives — they’re cheaper than in downtown Zurich.

Zurich travel guide

Dublin Airport (DUB), Ireland

When planning travel from Dublin, make sure you arrive early to have enough time to shop over 100 beauty brands, including Jo Malone, Tom Ford, and La Mer, with at least 15% savings compared to downtown prices. The most exciting deals are waiting for you at the chocolate counter.

• Pro Tip: Take advantage of their “Click & Collect” for seamless shopping, and grab a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel—it’s a gem. Beyond Jameson, look for smaller Irish distilleries like Teeling or Redbreast for rare editions.

Let’s fly to Dublin

Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport (KEF), Iceland

Open 24/7 to both arriving and departing passengers, Keflavík Airport’s duty-free offers Icelandic alcohol, candies, and cosmetics, often at prices up to 50% cheaper than outside the airport. This is by the way a heavy reason to visit it, because prices in Iceland really hurt. Shop for local liquor selection and Saltverk brand with their selection of sea salts and lava salts.

• Pro tip: Look for Andre Maack Icelandic luxury fragrance house to find the iconic fragrance collection available only for HER.

12 reasons to visit Reykjavik

Athens International Airport (ATH), Greece

Athens duty-free zone provides both experiences: to shop for last-minute purchases and spend some cash on luxury brands. Shopping zones are strategically located at the Satellite Terminal and the On Schengen area so you can hardly miss them. And if you have forgotten to shop for Greek specialties, find “A Piece of Greece” where everything is about olives and not only.

• Fun Fact: Athens Airport duty-free has one of the most expensive liquor selections.
• Pro tip: Look for Korres and Apivita skincare products, which use natural Greek ingredients like honey and olive oil. These products are often cheaper at the airport compared to downtown Athens.

✈️ Yerevan-Athens flight ticket price calendar

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Spain

Four duty-free stores in total at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport are more than enough to spend time and shop for Spanish goods such as wines, olive oils, and fashion brands, in addition to global luxury items. All the terminals have stores like the T1 Main Shop Walkthrough or T4 Net Main Shop and t$ Sat Man Shop Walkthrough all offering tax-free goods of popular brands.

• Fun fact: Here you can find one of the lowest prices for alcoholic beverages and fragrances. My kind of paradise.
• Pro tip: If you are a fan of the Loewe brand, at Loewe Boutique (Terminal 4) the brand offers exclusive items and better prices than in other international locations.

Madrid Airport guide

Vienna International Airport (VIE), Austria

The best thing travelers would remember about Vienna’s duty-free shops are the fantastic bargains and special offers of up to 30% off prices in all departments. A selection of Austrian specialties, including Mozartkugeln chocolates and local wines, alongside international luxury brands can all be available at a more exciting price if you are a Heinemann & Me member. Pre-order and pick-up services are also available.

• Fun fact: Around Christmas, duty-free shops copy Vienna’s famous holiday markets with seasonal treats and décor.
• Pro tip: Skip the fragrances department if you don’t want to spend a fortune. Instead, you can be sure to find a good deal on cosmetics.

Yerevan-Vienna direct flights calendar

Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Denmark

Shopping instead of waiting? Yes, please. From Nordic Gastronomy to handmade souvenirs, Scandinavian design products, cosmetics, and spirits; all available after the security checkpoint.

• Fun Fact: Copenhagen Airport’s duty-free area includes a dedicated section for eco-friendly products, making it one of the most sustainable shopping experiences among European airports.
• Pro tip: Find Lakrids by Bülow shop at gates A and B to shop for a huge selection of traditional licorice. For gifts, there are boxes of small samples.

Compare flights to Copenhagen

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* The store selections are entirely at the author’s discretion and are not intended as promotional content.