Madrid is one of Europe's most pleasant cities for shopping: the centre is compact, many streets are pedestrianised and, unlike many Spanish cities, shops in the central area also open on Sundays and holidays. It is part of the Madrid guide.
The Rastro
Spain's most famous flea market takes place every Sunday and holiday from about 9am to 3pm along the Ribera de Curtidores and the streets around plaza de Cascorro, in La Latina. It dates back to the Middle Ages, when the slaughterhouses and tanneries stood here (the name comes from the "trail" of blood left by the animals). Today stalls sell clothes, bags, crafts, paintings, records, comics, second-hand books and antiques, especially in the side streets and gallery courtyards. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, keep an eye on your wallet and finish with vermouth in La Latina.
Gourmet markets
In recent years some historic markets have become food halls where you eat standing up, moving from stall to stall:
- Mercado de San Miguel, next to the Plaza Mayor: the most famous and scenic, with oysters, ham and gourmet tapas. Pricey and crowded.
- Mercado de San Antón, in Chueca: three floors, with the traditional market, food stalls and a rooftop terrace.
- Mercado de San Ildefonso, in Malasaña: a street-food market on three levels, with inner courtyards.
- Mercado de San Fernando, in Lavapiés: the most popular and authentic, with craft beers and world cuisines.
Neighbourhood markets
To see Madrileños doing their shopping, each district has its municipal market: La Paz in Salamanca, Chamberí and Vallehermoso in Chamberí, Antón Martín in Huertas, La Cebada in La Latina, Maravillas in Tetuán, one of Europe's largest. You can buy ham, cheese, oil, preserves and dried fruit to take home, at lower prices than in tourist shops.
Shopping streets
| Area | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| Puerta del Sol, Preciados, Carmen | El Corte Inglés department stores, fashion chains, shoes, perfumeries |
| Gran Vía | The biggest flagship stores, Primark, Zara, Mango, international chains |
| Fuencarral and Hortaleza | Young fashion, sneakers, emerging Spanish brands |
| Malasaña and Conde Duque | Vintage, independent design, records, bookshops |
| Chueca and Salesas | Boutiques, shoes on Augusto Figueroa, concept stores |
| Salamanca (Serrano, Ortega y Gasset) | International and Spanish luxury, jewellers, design |
| Calle de Goya | More affordable fashion and department stores |
| Shopping centres | Príncipe Pío, La Vaguada, Moda Shopping, Las Rozas Village (outlet) |
Spain's best-known brands, Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Desigual, Camper and Loewe, have their best-stocked stores here, often slightly cheaper than elsewhere in Europe.
Historic shops
Central Madrid preserves many century-old shops, some with original signs and fittings: Casa de Diego on the Puerta del Sol, since 1858, for fans, umbrellas and mantillas; Capas Seseña, founded in 1901, for traditional Madrid capes; the hat shops of the Plaza Mayor; the Antigua Pastelería del Pozo, the city's oldest pastry shop; the Librería San Ginés for second-hand books; the guitar makers of calle Mayor; and La Mallorquina pastry shop on the Puerta del Sol, famous for its napolitanas.
What to take home
- Ibérico ham, vacuum-packed or hand-sliced, chorizo and manchego cheese.
- Extra virgin olive oil, La Mancha saffron, smoked pimentón de la Vera.
- Turrón and sweets made by convent nuns.
- Wine from Ribera del Duero, Rioja or the Community of Madrid.
- Fans, espadrilles, Talavera ceramics, a Spanish guitar.
- Candied violets, Madrid's typical sweets, from the historic La Violeta on plaza de Canalejas.
Practical information
- Hours: central shops generally open 10am-9pm without a break; small traditional shops may close between 2 and 5pm.
- Sundays: many shops in the historic centre open; in residential districts they don't.
- Sales: from 7 January and 1 July, with discounts growing over the following weeks.
- VAT refund: non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on purchases.
See also shopping in Spain and eating and drinking in Madrid.