A Guide to Shopping in Madrid | Best Things to Buy, Malls, Souvenirs & More
The capital of Spain is one of the oldest towns in western civilization and the second-largest metropolis in all of Europe. Millions of people visit Madrid each year for its architectural marvels and other attractions. In addition, Madrid is also a great place to shop. Read on to know everything about shopping in Madrid.
Best Things to Buy in Madrid
Shawls
Accessories
The traditional Spanish shawl, known as Mantones de Manila, takes its name from the port in the Philippines where the Spanish colony traded products imported from the Far East. If you are in Madrid, don’t forget to buy these exquisitely embroidered shawls.
Where to buy:
- Borca, S.A. - Find on map
- Stradivarius - Find on map
Summer Shoes
Accessories
Tourists and locals alike congregate to stock up on the alpargata, Spain's preferred summer shoe. The shoes, which are made of rope and cotton, are an essential part of Spanish summer dress, especially on the beach. They come in 32 colors in addition to the attractive boho appearance.
Where to buy:
- Casa Hernanz - Find on map
- Calzados LOBO - Find on map
Olive Oil
Food items
Spain produces almost half of the world's olive oil. Spanish food would not be complete without olive oil. Madrid is the greatest location to find some of the best olive oil variations out of the more than a hundred available in Spain. It is therefore a great place to secure some olive oil.
Where to buy:
- La Chinata Sol - Find on map
- Real Fábrica - Find on map
Majórica Pearl Jewelry
Luxury items
These artificial pearls have a solid glass ball center that is covered in a specific paste made of diverse organic marine materials layer by layer, closely resembling the natural pearl. There are quite a few places where you can find authentic Majórica Pearl Jewelry in Madrid.
Where to buy:
- Majorica El Corte Inglés - Find on map
- Artestilo - Find on map
Boina de Chulapo
Accessories
A boina is a soft, rounded hat that is typically woven, knit, or crocheted by hand from cotton, wool, or other materials. The Madrilenians love their boinas. The streets of Madrid are crowded with individuals wearing traditional attire, including boinas, during significant festivities.
Where to buy:
- Sombrerería Medrano - Find on map
- Sombrerería Yoqs - Find on map
Ceramic Housewares
Accessories
You won't run out of ornately crafted, vibrant pottery when exploring Spain's various and varied areas. Vast swaths of blue and gray swirl around Granada pitchers, and vibrantly colored flowers form rings inside a Toledo serving bowl. Look out for these pieces when in Madrid.
Where to buy:
- D'A Ceramics Déborah Abizanda - Find on map
- Cántaro - Find on map
Best Shopping Streets in Madrid
Gran Via
Shopping district
Location: C/ Gran Vía, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: Luxury accessories and clothing
Best stores: Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti, El Corte Ingles
Getting there: Take a metro and get down at the Banco de España metro station
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
Calle de Serrano
Shopping area
Location: C. de Serrano, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: Luxury clothing and accessories
Best stores: CH Carolina Herrera, Versace, Navascues
Getting there: Take a bus and get down at the Museo Arqueológico bus stop
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
Fuencarral
Shopping district
Location: 28034 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: Local street shopping
Best stores: Levi’s, Brandy Melville, Mac, Lush, Intimissimi
Getting there: Take a metro and get down at the Fuencarral metro station
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
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Princesa
Shopping Street
Location: 28008 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: High end and street shopping
Best stores: BM Supermercados, Zara, Mayoral - Tienda de Ropa Infantil y para Bebés - El Corte Inglés Princesa
Getting there: Take a metro and get down at the Fuencarral metro station
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
Embajadores
Shopping district
Location: 28012 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: Books and formal clothing
Best stores: Mercado de San Fernando, Barrabes Esquí y Montaña, Daniel Chong LAVAPIES
Getting there: Take a metro and get down at the Lavapies metro station
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Barrio de La Latina
Shopping Street
Location: 28005 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Best for: Handicraft items
Best stores: COCOL, Fiestas Paco, Espartería Juan Sánchez, Herbolario Los Austrias
Getting there: Take a metro and get down at the La Latina metro station
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Best Souvenirs in Madrid
Artisanal Chocolate
Where to buy: Chocolatería San Ginés, Chocolateria 1902, Chocolatería Tacita de Plata
Handheld Fans
Where to buy: Casa de Diego, Flamencoexport: moda flamenca, COCOL
Wine
Where to buy: La Caja de Vinos, Carlota Wine Shop, Bodegas Mariano Madrueño
Paella Rice
Where to buy: Supermercados Dia, Carrefour Market, Supermercado El Corte Inglés
Saffron
Where to buy: Herbolario Los Austrias, Bartolomé Gourmet, El MADRILEÑO GOURMET
Caramelos de Violeta
Where to buy: La Violeta
Best Malls in Madrid
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Las Rozas Village
Luxury shopping mall
What to buy: Clothing, accessories, and housewares
Location: C. Juan Ramon Jimenez, 3, 28232 Las Rozas de Madrid, Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM
Centro Comercial La Vaguada
Shopping mall
What to buy: Accessories and clothing
Location: C/ de Monforte de Lemos, 36, 28029 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM
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Centro Comercial Plaza Río 2
Shopping mall
What to buy: Jewelry and clothing
Location: Av del Manzanares, 210, 28026 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 9 AM to 8 PM
Centro Comercial Príncipe Pío
High-end mall
What to buy: Clothing and accessories
Location: P.º de la Florida, 2, 28008 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 1 AM
Plenilunio
Shopping mall
What to buy: Food and fashion accessories
Location: C. de Aracne, s/n, 28022 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM
Parquesur Shopping Center
Shopping mall
What to buy: Clothing and accessories
Location: Av. de Gran Bretaña, s/n, 28916 Leganés, Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM
Best Luxury Shopping Destinations in Madrid
Salamanca
Shopping district
What to buy: Luxury fashion items
Location: Salamanca, 28006 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Las Rozas Village
Luxury shopping mall
What to buy: Clothing, accessories, and housewares
Location: C. Juan Ramon Jimenez, 3, 28232 Las Rozas de Madrid, Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: 10 AM to 10 PM
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Galería Canalejas
Outlet mall
What to buy: Fashion accessories
Location: Entrada FOOD HALL, C. de Alcalá, 12, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Isolée
Luxury shopping outlet
What to buy: Luxury fashion accessories
Location: Calle de Claudio Coello, 55, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8:30 PM
NAC
Luxury clothing outlet
What to buy: Women’s clothing and accessories
Location: Calle de Génova, 18, 28004 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10:30 AM to 9 PM
Aristocrazy Jardín de Serrano
Luxury jeweler
What to buy: Luxury and exclusive accessories
Location: Calle de Goya, 6, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
Budget Shopping Destinations in Madrid
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El Rastro de Madrid
Flea Market
What to buy: Vintage articles
Location: Pl. de Cascorro, 13, 28005 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: Sundays and public holidays 8 AM to 3 PM
Mercado de la Cebada
Market
What to buy: Clothes, accessories, and housewares
Location: Pl. de la Cebada, S/N, 28005 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: Mondays to Saturdays 9 AM to 2 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Malasaña
Shopping District
What to buy: Vintage products
Location: C. de San Bernardo, 28015 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Gran Via
Shopping district
What to buy: Luxury accessories and clothing
Location: C/ Gran Vía, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM
Mercado de Motores
Shopping mall
What to buy: Bargain accessories
Location: Paseo de las Delicias, 61, 28045 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timing: Saturdays and Sundays 11 AM to 10 PM
Cuesta de Moyano
Bookstore
What to buy: Used books
Location: Cuesta de Moyano, C. Claudio Moyano, 19, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Timings: Sundays to Saturdays 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM to 7 PM
Shopping in Madrid: Essentials
Modes of payment:
- Visa/Mastercard: Most large establishments accept Visa and Mastercards, but you may be asked to make a minimum transaction.
- PayPal: PayPal is the most recognized online transaction application used in Madrid.
- Cash: Madrid is not a very cash-dependent city, but when making small purchases at flea markets, this is the best way to go.
April, May, October, and November are the best months to visit and go shopping in Madrid because:
- In these months, Madrid is not as crowded.
- Shopping is pleasurable throughout these months due to the lovely weather.
- Because there are less travelers during these months, you can get better deals.
- Kathmandu Tandoori House: This restaurant is known for its flavorful Indian meat dishes and a South Asian diner vibe. Find on map
- Parrilla El Gaucho: This Argentinian restaurant has made a name for itself based on its diverse Latin American food and drinks. Find on map
- Restaurante La Mi Venta: This family-owned restaurant has gained a reputation over the years to serve the finest Iberian ham, tapas, and wine. Find on map
- The Food Fighters BBQ: This American hamburger eatery is known for its mouthwatering burgers, sandwiches, finger foods, and steaks. Find on map
- Matilda Café Barrio de Las Letras: A vintage boutique and café, this place is a perfect spot for vintage clothes shopping and coffee. Find on map
By Metro: The metro is the quickest means of transport within Madrid. With routes operating through the center of the city, the southern suburbs, and the airport, the metro system is pristine, vast, and simple to use. You can avail the metro from 6 AM to 1:30 AM.
By Bus: In Madrid, there are more than 200 bus routes that run from 6 AM to 11:30 PM on weekdays including from 7 AM to 11 PM on the weekends.
By Taxi: Taxis are one of the easiest way to travel around Madrid, but they can be pretty expensive and time-consuming due to the consistently congested roads.
- Use the Madrid metro network to your advantage on your shopping trips. The red line of the metro has several important shopping streets covered including Sol, Cuatro Cominos, and Goya.
- Head to the Fuencarral indoor market to find the best of the boho outfits for yourself and your friends.
- Plan your day appropriately because most stores in Madrid close from 1 to 4 PM for their afternoon naps.
- Bring cash from your starting point rather than making multiple excursions to the ATM to avoid fees and fines.
- Several popular locations in Madrid accept credit cards. If you intend to shop in Madrid, bring a card with a chip and a 4-digit PIN.
- Verify whether free overseas purchases are permitted with your card. If not, pick one that does to significantly reduce the cost of your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shopping in Madrid
The best things to buy in Madrid are artisanal products like beautiful shawls and ceramic items that you must buy. You can also find luxury brand stores selling exclusive jewelry, clothing, and accessories.
The best souvenirs to buy in Madrid are local products like wine, spices, and olive oil. You may also purchase ceramic plates and shoes.
The most preferred mode of payment throughout Madrid is card. You can also use online payment at big outlets and malls.
There are numerous famous shopping streets in Madrid. Gran Via and Princesa are great places to shop.
Central Madrid, near Puerta de Alcalá and the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, is famous for shopping.
Luxury clothes, accessories, jewelry, as well as artisanal items exclusively made in Madrid are probably the best things you can buy in Madrid.
Parquesur Shopping Center is possibly the most famous shopping center in Madrid. Centro Comercial Príncipe Pío also has many shopping outlets and is a famous shopping center in Madrid.
Luxury clothes, accessories, jewelry, and artisanal items exclusively made in Madrid like designer housewares, crockery, chocolates, and decorative items are great things to buy in Madrid.
Centro Comercial La Vaguada, Centro Comercial Plaza Río 2, and Plenilunio are the best malls to go to when visiting Madrid.
The best markets to visit in Madrid are El Rastro de Madrid, Mercado de la Cebada, and Mercado de Motores.
The major shopping streets in Madrid include Gran Via and Princesa.
Madrid has some of the top kids’ toy outlets including the ZIGZAG KIDS and BricksMadrid LEGO Center. You can also head to the markets of Madrid and purchase Italian garments made in the area for kids.