Shopping in Spain. Some tips, and what to buy

Coming to Spain? We suggest setting some time aside for shopping while you’re here. Fashion, crafts, gourmet food and drink, decorative objects… Variety, quality and uniqueness, with long opening hours and shopping areas with everything you want. These are the top tips for a shopping experience in Spain.

Save favourite

Remove favourite

Go to my favourites

Go window shopping to see luxury brands and boutiques; soak in the scents and colours of traditional markets; note the clash of old and new where folk craft meets avant-garde design; wander historic streets in search of music, books and antiques; and enjoy department stores and malls with all the services you might need. The shopping experience in Spain is as wide-ranging as your imagination. Just one condition: make sure you leave enough room in your suitcase.

From city centres to shopping centres

What are the best areas for shopping in Spain?In most of the cities and towns you visit, the best options are in the centre. In addition, in large cities, there are usually more or less specific areas depending on your preferences: the luxury shopping neighbourhoods (like the Salamanca district in Madrid or Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona), places with modern, alternative design and fashions (Soho in Malaga or Malasaña, in Madrid) areas full of traditional shops (such as around Plaza Redonda in Valencia, or Gothic quarter) and craft workshops, in neighbourhoods like Triana in Seville.Another option, especially if you’re looking for fashion and accessories, perfumes and cosmetics, or electronics, is a visit to the large shopping centres and department stores you’ll find in many cities.

Shopping centres usually have long opening times and all sorts of shops (including leading Spanish and international fashion chains), as well as services like parking (which may be free or paid for), good public transport links, restaurants, and even activities for children in some cases, to make a day of shopping more fun for the kids. In cities like Madrid or Barcelona, there are also large stores of this type dedicated exclusively to outlets: Renowned fashion and decoration brands, suitable for all budgets.

Street markets

You can also find street markets at your destination. Almost all Spanish cities have one or more weekly or monthly street markets. Some specialise in second-hand items or antiques, fashion, or organic produce, and others offer an endless variety of everyday goods, clothes and accessories, fruit and vegetables, and so on, but they are all busy and lively, often with a festive atmosphere, and sometimes buskers and performers.There are many examples: the famous Rastro, in Madrid; Els Encants (La Fira de Bellcaire), in Barcelona; La Alcaicería in Granada; Las Dalias, in Ibiza; the Thursday market in Seville, and the Rastro de Mestalla, in Valencia.

Fashion, food and crafts

From “where” to “what”: what do we recommend buying on your trip to Spain? Fashion, crafts and gastronomic products are the top picks, although this will depend on your tastes and, most importantly, on the specific places you pass through: there are so many options that we suggest you check out the most typical things in the area you are travelling to before planning your purchases.

Streets in the Malasaña district of Madrid

Fashion and accessories

You won’t regret buying fashion and accessories “made in Spain”. From exclusive lines by Spanish designers of international prestige to the pret-à-porter Spain exports to half the planet and which you’ll look just as chic in at home. And if you fancy yourself as a coolhunter, have a wander in the hip districts of the big cities (Malasaña in Madrid, Raval or Gràcia in Barcelona, Russafa in Valencia, Soho in Malaga…), where local designers have their own small boutiques and you can find unique, original items. If you are looking for a more traditional souvenir, don't forget that each region has typical clothing: from the well-known flamenco fashion of Andalusia, with its frills and colourful designs, the predominating white of the Ibizan 'adlib' or the typical silk garments of Valencia, to the Basque txapela (beret), the typical sash of the San Fermín in Navarre or the parpusa (cap) of the Madrid 'chulapos'.

Halfway between fashion and craftsmanship, many regions of Spain stand out for their leather manufacturing: backpacks, handbags, belts, footwear and leather goods are good options for your purchases in much of our country, such as Andalusia or Castilla-La Mancha, among others. Or perhaps something to decorate your home? Pottery from Talavera de la Reina (in Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, and a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage item), or from Sargadelos (Lugo, Galicia), Manises (Valencia) or Úbeda (Jaén, Andalusia), or damascene steel from Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha) are some of Spain’s most traditional crafts, and you can find them in the form of household items, decorative objects and even jewellery. Other crafts that you can buy in our country and be sure that you will take something typical and with personality are the wickerwork (baskets, decoration, lamps...) from the Valencian Community, those made of esparto grass (from bags to rugs) from Castilla-La Mancha or those made of boxwood (bowls, clogs...) from Navarra.

Food and drink

If you’re looking for gourmet souvenirs you’re in luck. Spanish cuisine is a prime exponent of the Mediterranean diet, and these foods and wines are an excellent choice to buy for yourself or as gifts. From region to region, there are endless possibilities for you to fill your suitcase with the flavour of Spanish cuisine, starting with Iberian ham from any of the four existing designations of origin (Dehesa de Extremadura, Guijuelo, Jamón de Huelva and Los Pedroches); or the delicious varieties of cheese from each region: Manchego (Castilla-La Mancha), Cabrales (Asturias), Torta del Casar (Extremadura) or Idiazábal (Basque Country and Navarre), among many others. Another essential purchase is a local wine (the most famous wines might be Rioja or Ribera del Duero, but almost every Spanish region has a Designation of Origin which you’ll enjoy exploring) or olive oil, the liquid gold of the Mediterranean. And the list goes on, with traditional spirits and liqueurs (such as orujo from Galicia or patxaran from the Basque Country), sweets (Santiago cake in Galicia, candied fruit in Aragón, honey in Castilla-La Mancha, etc.) and even some gourmet tinned foods (asparagus from Navarre or anchovies from Cantabria, among others).

While there are no restrictions on taking foods between EU countries, you should check the regulations if you’re going somewhere outside the European Union. (See information from the destination airport to check whether you can bring food in checked luggage, as well as weight restrictions, customs declarations, etc.).

Shopping with experiences

If you want to add something extra to your shopping experience, you can combine it with many other activities available in Spain. What if you hire the services of a personal shopper for your purchases? Especially in large cities, these professionals can help you choose and guide you to the best shops for fashion and décor, or the most exclusive showrooms.Before you buy a wine, a cheese or a special oil, would you like to try them? In Spain you can go to tastings of these and other products, where you can learn about them, appreciate their characteristics and decide which ones you want to buy. Another great option is a memento of Spain’s artistic, cultural or historic heritage from museum or gallery shops, or ceramics or leather items direct from the artisanal workshop so you can enjoy the experience of seeing them made. You just have to look for what you fancy most in each destination: The possibilities are endless.

Tips and recommendations

Useful tips

Before you get started shopping in Spain, here are some basic tips:- One of the most surprising things about shopping in Spain is how long opening hours are. Most places are open from Monday to Saturday, from 09:30 to 13:30 and then from 16:30 to 20:00, but in most tourist destinations shops are open much later, and many cities let them set their own hours.- In some tourist resorts, especially on the coast in high season, it’s not unusual to find shops open well into the evening, even after 22:00.- Major shopping centres and department stores are open all day from 10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00, and many open on Sundays too.- In Spain prices are set and haggling is not expected.- If you live outside the European Union, you can claim back the tax on your purchases. Please refer to the terms and conditions.

Shopping in Spain: what you will find