I'm heading to Spain next week and we plan on doing some serious shopping while in Madrid and Barcelona. I've been there before and know about the chains like Zara and El Corte Ingles, but can anyone recommend some more off-the-beaten path shops or shopping districts? So far, we plan to go to Chueca in Madrid for leather shoes/bags. Thanks in advance!
I dont have any advice, but... I am going to Madrid at the beginning of december. This will be my first time so I have no clue where to shop at there. I was wondering if you or anyone else could pm me some information, maybe once you get back? It would be super helpful, if you dont mind.
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"Deep down you may still be that same great guy I used to know. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins
I had better luck with antique shopping than fashion shopping while in Madrid. I did go to some boutiques, but it was nothing to write home about. I've never been to Barcelona, but I'd love to go sometime!
Nicoley - El Rastro is fun if you haven't been, just keep a tight grip on your wallet or anything valuable you might have with you, and carry nothing on your back (I have never seen more rampant pickpocketing than I have in Madrid.)
Located between the Cathedral of San Isidro and Glorieta de Embajadores it is Madrid most popular public market. You can find just a little of everything in here: from books and clothes to pet accessories, furniture and art.
Many small and big shops with men and women fashion stores mixed in with cinemas, bars, and hotels
Good Quality Shopping Centres in Madrid
If you enjoy shopping, here are 3 shopping centres that you should think about visiting: the Moda Shopping Centre, the ABC Shopping Centre and the Jardin de Serrano. The Moda Shopping Centre is located near Madrid's football mecca, Santiago Bernabeu, and has a wide range of shops - from smart designer shops to jewellry shops and antiques shops. You can also find a number of places to have food or a drink. From one side of the centre you will see Madrid's largest building - the stunning Torre Picasso. From here you can walk across to the departmetn store El Corte Ingles and/or visit the shops on c/Orense.
The ABC Centre is located in a building that the well-known ('very' conservative!) newspaper ABC occupied until 1989. It has two principal entrances - one is the Paseo de la Castellana and the other c/Serrano, Madrid's 'poshest' street. It has a fine selection of shops, from clothing and jewellry to shops where you can buy nick nacks. During the summer its summer terrace (on the 4th floor) offers fantastic views across the city. There is a nice shop for kids there called Imaginarium, which even has a special 'little' door for them to go in through!
The third shop is located a short walk from the ABC Centro (right next to Serrano Metro stop) and though it's called Jardín de Serrano, it's located in c/Goya! This place has a neat selection of good quality shops and clothes boutiques - women's clothes, jewellery, picture framing shops, handbags, children's clothes, etc. You can also find the Mallorca restaurant, where you can have a good quality, reasonably priced meal or wonderful pastry in very pleasant surroundings.
As the latter is located at the start of c/Serrano, you can walk up to the designer shops which are located on or jutting on to this street.
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"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
Wow, thanks D for all the great info!! This just made me even more excited to visit madrid :)
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"Deep down you may still be that same great guy I used to know. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins
D, awesome post! We are definitely going to El Rastro for some Sunday morning bargain hunting. The malls sound good, and I definitely want to see the areas near Calle Princesa, Alcala, and Goya.
Thanks again -- I really appreciate all the info. I'll post a report on the shops in both cities when I get back! And if anyone out there has Barcelona insider info, I'd love to hear it. :)