Madrid Shopping

Madrid has enough flea markets, department stores, upscale boutiques, and chain stores to satisfy the addictions of the most serious shopaholics. Each street radiating north from Puerta del Sol is filled with clothing, accessories, and souvenir shops. Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor, and Northwest Madrid near C. de la Princesa are shopping meccas with an eclectic mix of options perfect for retail therapy. The Salamanca district northeast of the center is home to the exclusive and the expensive, acting as the Rodeo Drive of Madrid by housing Burberry, Gucci, Prada, and other stores your backpacking self can't afford.

El Rastro (Flea Market)

If you're in town on a Sunday, don't miss El Rastro, the biggest and most frantic flea market in Madrid. Beginning at Pl. Cascorro off C. Toledo and ending at the bottom of C. Ribera de Cortidores, rows ...more

Books

Finding English books in Madrid can be difficult unless you're willing to pay a bundle. If you're looking for a specific English title, the mega-chain book stores like El Corte Inglés or Casa del Libro ...more

Upscale

ABC Serrano, Serrano, 61 (☎ 91 577 50 31; www.abcserrano.com), This small complex of upscale boutiques and chain stores sells high fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, art, housewares, and more to Spaniards ...more

Boutiques

Oh my GOd, C. Serrano, 70 (☎ 91 435 44 12; www.ohmygod.com.es), Like, oh my God! Come to Oh my GOd boutique in the upscale Salamanca district for funky, chunky, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. While you ...more

Marketplaces

Plaza de San Miguel, Plaza de San Miguel, 2 (www.mercadodesanmiguel.es), This almost-open-air market sells fine meats, cheeses, flowers, wine, and miscellaneous gifts for an arm and a leg. The partially ...more