Shopping in Madrid is rare for most travelers and shoppers. This city is not officially recognized as the capital of fashion or the center of trade. But in fact, in this cozy Spanish capital, there are many hot spots where you can find goods for every taste and budget. Well, let's find out in detail what shopping in Madrid can be like. Reviews say that quite successful and enjoyable. Shall we check?
All on sale
For a budget shopper, the SALE sign is a direct challenge, which is simply impossible not to accept. If you are a fan of buying clothes and accessories at discounted prices, then study the “discount schedule” in advance. The first to sell their products are small local design houses - in December. By the middle of winter, an avalanche of discounts covers chain boutiques and shopping centers, and savings sometimes reach 80 percent. But the February shopping in Madrid is alreadynot so exciting, since there are no new collections yet, and everything that remains from the previous ones is sorted out for January. The second wave of sales begins in July. It is worth visiting the city this month, because by August you will no longer be able to find a single decent model, although the sale is not officially over yet.
Rasto Flea Market
The hallmark of Sunday Madrid has long been the flea market, which the inhabitants of the city call Rasto. It literally surrounds the Ribera de Curtidores street, occupying the entire block and all the lanes adjacent to it. Go here by all means if you want shopping in Madrid to be not only budget-friendly, but also exciting. Mostly vintage exhibits are sold here - dresses of the mid-twentieth century, brooches and jewelry of Spanish grandmothers, caskets and hats. In addition to clothes, you can find rare books, tea sets, even antique furniture on the market. Numismatists will appreciate the variety of antique coins for sale, while retro lovers will definitely buy a pair of shoes to complement their outfit.
On the main street of the capital
Gran Via is considered the main street in the city, and it is from it that most tourists start shopping in Madrid. Reviews from 2016 tell us that this place is home to middle-class stores, the so-called budget brands, which are in great demand all over the world. On Gran Via, you can find Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear or Mango boutiques. FROMthey are adjacent to shops of little-known Spanish, French and Italian designers. The prices there are slightly higher than in the brands of the previous category, but sometimes you can find incredibly beautiful specimens that you are unlikely to see on someone when you return to Russia. In addition, often in such stores you can personally meet the designer and even order an exclusive model for yourself. After all, everyone knows that a thing made to order is the best thing in a wardrobe.
Madrid: Luxury shopping experience
For those who come to the capital of Spain in search of elite brands, the Bario de Salamanca district welcomes its doors. Situated between Paseo de la Castellana, Calle de Alcala, Avenida de la Paz and Avenida de América, this upmarket area is home to both shopping malls and stand-alone boutiques. Such design houses as Versace, Dolce and Gabanna, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Valentino and many others are presented to your attention. Along with these giants of world fashion are more modest, but no less talented Spanish designers. The prices for their products are slightly lower, but the quality and elegance of the cut is sometimes not inferior to world-famous brands. In this category should be called "Victorio and Lucchino", as well as "Adolfo Dominguez". As for the shopping center, which is located in this elite area, this is Jardin de Serrano. There are also collected very famous brands of clothes and shoes, which, perhaps, all the fashionistas of our planet dream of.
For those who prefer outlets
For the majority, shopping in Madrid, however, as in any other European fashion city, is a chance to buy a designer piece at a huge discount. And fashion houses arrange such bonuses only because a new collection is released, and the old one becomes unsuitable for sale. It is these things that end up in outlets, and it is for them that there is a big hunt. So, which establishments should you pay attention to if you are planning a shopping trip in Madrid? Brands often bring unsold products to the suburbs of the capital, to the huge Las Rozas Village shopping mall. You can get to it in just half an hour from the center by bus No. 628 or 625, a ticket will cost you 5 euros. You can find absolutely everything in this center. Past collections of Versace and Chanel, colorful models of Spanish designers that were not sold at the starting price, clothes from the "middle class" stores, which are sold here at an even lower price … The outlet also offers a wide range of accessories. There are shoes, bags, jewelry, and even travel and beach items.
Clothing for those who like to shock the public
Visiting the Barrio de Chueca area, you are immediately convinced that shopping in Madrid is not only modern fashion and the latest inventions of designers. Shops in this area are concentrated in which dresses are laced with rhinestones and studs, rough leather is combined with chiffon and silk, and shoes … The most intricate platforms and heels,incredible combinations of colors and textures, non-standard perforation - all this can be found here. In the Barrio de Chueca area, there is always a creative atmosphere. The creators of all the masterpieces sold here create literally in front of visitors and do not hesitate to translate their most daring ideas into reality. By the way, it is in this corner of Madrid that the Mercado de Fuencarral market is located. People note that the goods here are a little cheaper than in stores, but the assortment is sometimes much more diverse and extravagant. This district is a real find for informal personalities. Hippies, rock lovers and simply artistic people can draw inspiration here. It is worth emphasizing separately that photography and video shooting is prohibited in this quarter, even if you buy something.
Let's compare charts
Above, we have already talked a little about what time the biggest sales of all goods take place in the city, regardless of price and brand. But what happens here in the rest of the year and what if your travel schedule in Spain does not coincide with the “cherished period”? So, in March, the winter sale finally ends, and new collections arrive on the shelves of all stores. But the thing is that in the capital of Spain, products of well-known brands are sold at prices that are much lower than in Russia. Judging by the reviews, here you can buy a famous handbag from Chanel at a price that will be 4 or even 5 times less than in Moscow. A similar situation awaits you if you plan to shop in Madrid inOctober. You will not find the cherished signs "Sale", but new collections and relatively low prices will please you.
Shop features
Every shopper should know that Sunday in Madrid, as in all of Spain, is a day off for every resident of the country. This also applies to employees of boutiques and outlets located in this country. The opening hours of the shops here are as follows: from Monday to Saturday inclusive, while the last day is often reduced to lunch. Working hours - in most cases from 10 am to 10 pm, and at the same time there are no breaks anywhere. But do not forget that it is on Sunday that a huge flea market with various retro goods opens in the early morning. Therefore, after long wanderings in modern branded boutiques, you can take a break on this day and buy a little thing for yourself that will become a symbol of your successful shopping in the capital of Spain and will be remembered forever.
Reviews: what is actually shopping in the capital of Spain
Madrid 2016 was a revelation for many shopping enthusiasts. Previously, this city was not considered the center of European trade, few people knew that world boutiques, houses of Spanish designers, and mass market stores are concentrated here. Due to the fact that this capital of fashion was opened quite recently, and at the moment not many people know about it, the prices here, according to experienced travelers, have remained democratic. If you believe the reviews, shopping in Madrid will not cost you as much money as inMilan or Paris, and it will even be cheaper than shopping in your home country. This city invites all lovers of fashion and beauty, moreover, people note that the most famous boutique quarters are concentrated in the historical part of the city. So you can combine shopping with sightseeing in this great city.