Shopping in Madrid - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

For many travelers, Puerta del Sol Square remains the starting point for their shopping routes. This square is open in the very center of the city, so there are many popular shops close to it. The historical square is surrounded by old buildings, in which travelers will find popular boutiques, souvenir shops, and department stores. There are some branded shops as well, including El Corte Inglés. Local souvenir outlets offer a wide range of items, both classic and exclusive ones. It is important to mention that shops, which are located on the square, are quite expensive.

Without a doubt, the Museum of Jamon, which is open on Calle de Alcalá, is the all-time favorite gastronomic destination in Madrid. Jamon is the most popular national delicacy. The special type of raw cured pork meat is cooked in accordance with old and unchanging special recipes. Only true professionals, who know absolutely everything about jamon, work in the most popular specialized shop. During a walk in this unusual “museum”, one can try hundreds of jamon types and watch how sellers slice the delicacy into thin and ideally equal pieces with sharp knives. Everyone, who is fond of meat delicacies, is recommended to visit this shop.

The biggest market in Europe, El Rastro, is also open in Madrid. You will need more than one day to see all items sold on this market. The market is open in the territory of an Old Town. Both locals and guests of Madrid visit this market in order to find inexpensive clothes and interesting gifts for friends and family. There are more than 35,000 trading outlets in total on the market. They sell modern clothes, shoes, accessories and jewelry to fit any taste. The abundance of antiquity outlets is another interesting peculiarity of the market – you can find many unusual old items there. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you prefer buying clothes in the most exclusive and elegant shops, it’s worth visiting Serrano Street. The most expensive restaurants and shops in the city are located there, including internationally popular Prada boutiques and Armani stores. Besides premium designer boutiques, there are many shops by young and local designers. For example, Agatha Ruiz De La Prada boutique sells exclusive clothes. There are also several large department stores on Serrano Street. It’s particularly interesting to visit them during the sales period when the discounts in many shops are 50% or higher.

If your aim is to buy quality Spanish shoes, head to Calle Augusto Figueroa Street. You will find dozens of popular shops there. It’s easy to find shoes for any taste and budget on that square. There are also several old shoemakers’ shops on Calle Augusto Figueroa. Here, it’s possible to buy elegant female pumps, real cowboy boots or order individual shoes. Females usually enjoy visiting Mirta Gomez store that sells the trendiest and most fashionable shoes. On this street, you will also find numerous shops that sell high-quality bags, belts, hats, and many other accessories.

Young travelers, as a rule, prefer to spend a few hours in Fnac store that is located not far from Plaza del Callao. This shop offers a great range of CDs and books by famous writers. There are also wonderful gift sets for sale.

Fans of unusual shops should not forget to visit the Chueca district. This part of Madrid is famous for its creative designer shops that sell exclusive items and accessories in avant-garde style. Besides shops, there are many charming cafes, tattoo salons, and salons that specialize in the most complex piercing. As it’s not hard to guess, this district is very popular with informal youth, so there are specialized shops that sell clothes and accessories for different subcultures. However, females also love the picturesque district as there are many stores that sell fashion jewelry and hand-made items.