Spain is a good destination for shopping: major fashion chains were born here, the food products are excellent and every region has its crafts.
Hours and sales
Shops usually open from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 8:30 or 9 pm, but in cities chains and shopping centres stay open all day until 9-10 pm, Saturdays included. On Sundays many shops are closed, except in tourist areas and in cities such as Madrid, where deregulated hours allow opening all year. The sales (rebajas) traditionally start on 7 January, the day after the Three Kings, and on 1 July.
Spanish fashion
Spain is home to some of the world's largest fashion groups: Inditex, based at Arteixo in Galicia, owner of Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho; Mango, born in Barcelona; Desigual, Camper (shoes from Majorca), Loewe (luxury leather goods founded in Madrid in 1846), Balenciaga and Paco Rabanne, both born in the Basque Country. The national department store is El Corte Inglés, found in every city.
Markets
- Madrid's Rastro, the Sunday-morning flea market around Ribera de Curtidores in La Latina (see Madrid).
- La Boqueria and Santa Caterina market in Barcelona, and the Sunday Sant Antoni market for books and collectables.
- The Mercado Central in Valencia, in a large modernista building.
- Ibiza's hippy markets, such as Las Dalias and Punta Arabí.
- Madrid's Mercado de San Miguel and the renovated food markets in many cities, where you can eat and shop.
What to buy, region by region
- Food: jamón ibérico, chorizo, manchego cheese, olive oil, La Mancha saffron, La Vera pimentón, turrón, wines and sherry. Many shops vacuum-pack ham for travel.
- Andalusia: ceramics from Seville (Triana) and Granada (Fajalauza), fans, Manila shawls, flamenco dresses, handmade guitars, Ubrique leather and Córdoba silver.
- Castile-La Mancha: Toledo damascene steel, swords and knives, and Talavera de la Reina ceramics.
- Valencian Community: Lladró porcelain, founded at Tavernes Blanques near Valencia, and fans.
- Catalonia and the Balearics: espadrilles (espardenyes), Majorca pearls from Manacor, Menorcan albarcas sandals, blown glass and cava.
- Galicia: Sargadelos ceramics and Camariñas lace.
- Basque Country: txapelas, Basque berets, and basketwork.
Tax-free and payments
Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund (standard VAT in Spain is 21%) on purchases by filling in the DIVA form and validating it at the airport on departure. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts, and mobile payment is widespread. See also the cost of living.