Shopping in Madrid

It seems that shopping is one of the main hobbies of most people these days. One of the first questions many of us ask when planning a trip to a new city is: “Are the shops good?” The answer is a difficult one as, as the poet said “horses for courses”. That treasure shop found on a weekend trip for one, can be the retail nightmare for other. However, in Madrid you will be sure to find something to suit all tastes and ages.

We will start the tour in El Corte Inglés, of course, not a department store, but the department store. There are a few stores in Madrid, and they also have specialised sound and visual shops. The most central ones ones are the store near Sol Metro Station, and the one just by Nuevos Ministerios Metro Station.

If you prefers something more independent and smaller, there are also plenty of shops in the streets around Puerta del Sol. The shoe shops are especially interesting, they may not be the cheapest, but they definitely have a very varied offer of original styles. If you are looking for books, DVDs and music you can also stop at the Corte Inglés shop in Sol, or Fnac just two minutes from Corte Inglés.

However, the Oxford Street of Madrid is around Goya Metro Station. There you will not only find a Corte Inglés, but also many different independent shops offer high quality clothes and shoes. If you fancy yourself as one of the girls in Sex and the City, there are also branded boutiques where you can find very chic and expensive outfits, that will make you look your best.

For those more alternative and travelling on a budget, aren’t we all?, the street market has on offer everything you can imagine, from Franco memorabilia to shoes and handbags, and even pets. This flea market is called “El Rastro”, you can get to it walking from Sol, or just coming out the Metro on Tirso de Molina. You can find good bargains in this market but you can also find very interesting, hand-made products by local artists that are priced accordingly.

Categories: General