Shopping in Basque Country - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

What to buy in the Basque Country? If you prefer world-famous brands, there is a good news for you – from the beginning of June till the end of September, and from the 7th of January till the end of March there are season sales in all the shopping malls. It is the best time to buy stuff at Zara, Pull& Bear, Hugo Boss, Dior, Prada and many other famous shops. All the big cities have shopping malls, and the biggest shopping area, FASHION OUTLET, is located in Bilbao. Take a look at the local chain El Corte Ingles. Here you will not only find a large variety of clothes and shoes but also different household goods. By the way, “Sale” is «Rebajas» in Spanish.

If you are not chasing the fashion brands, and you are eager to buy quality goods at a reasonable price from the local manufacturers, you should check out the range at the small shops. You will find the goods from the Spanish designers, who are not very famous abroad, pieces, made by artists and wood carvers, souvenirs and presents. Unlike flea markets, it is not traditional to bargain in the shops. But there are always exceptions to this rule – if you make a good impression on a shop assistant, you will most likely get a discount. Old neighborhoods, like Casco Viejo in Bilbao, are usually full of small shops. Local goods are uniquely original, and you won’t find them anywhere in the world, as opposed to the same Zara. It should be mentioned, that shopping malls work during traditional Spanish siesta time from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m., when most of the non-chain shops are closed.

Anyone, who wants to take home a piece of a local Basque color, should get a traditional “chapel” beret. You will find it in souvenir shops and in places that sell folk costumes, which will also become an unusual souvenir from this amazing place. The ikurrina, the official flag of the Basque Country, is also popular among tourists. Local souvenirs usually contain the images of lauburu or eguskilore, the two most famous symbols in the Basque culture. Lauburu is considered to bring luck and eguskilore, “a flower of the Sun” is believed to be a charm. Anyway, it looks really good, especially on jewelry. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Do you want to bring home not only national symbols but some practical goods as well? Then you should buy red wine, made in Rioja. For those, who prefer white wine, Chacoli will suit better. The national drink of the Basque Country is cider, and the varieties of this drink are beyond imagination. Does it need to be mentioned, that good cider in the Basque Country cost less, then in any other part of the world? For a gastronomic souvenir without alcohol, choose Idiazabal, a goat cheese, made with the use of a smoking process. As a dessert, you can buy «Vasquitos y Nesquitas» candies and «Tejas de Tolosa» cookies. And those are beside traditional Spanish Jamon, sausages, olives and many others.

Make sure to visit Ribera Market in Bilbao. It is not only one of the biggest European indoor markets, but also a place with a rich history. At the same place, where now the modern complex is, a street market was located from the 14th century. Every Sunday you can visit a flea market on Plaza Nueva. By the way, you can meet a real medieval merchant in the Basque Country – Balmaseda city hosts a costume festival in March. During this time you can buy delicacies and goods, made from steel and glass. However, there are a lot of fairs and festivals in the Basque Country throughout the year. You will always have an opportunity to buy something you need at a low price.