Spain’s capital, Madrid, is located in the heart of the country. It is also famous for its two football teams: Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid. The city is a great tourist destination where you can immerse yourself in Spanish culture and explore historic landmarks. Madrid has a lot to offer to tourists of all interests and age categories, but most travelers like to indulge in shopping during their holidays. This city offers some of the best shopping experiences and it has stores of some great local brands, as well as popular international designers. Shops, markets, boutiques and malls cater to shoppers with different budgets. You can buy traditional Spanish capes and fans or hit the Salamanca district for some upscale designer stores. Here’s a list of some of the best things you can buy in Madrid. Check them out now.
1. Blue Wine
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Spain produces some of the best wines in the world and there is no better place than Madrid to enjoy a refreshing glass of your favorite wine. Wine is available in rosy, white and red varieties but a Spanish firm shook the wine industry with the introduction of a blue wine called Gik. The firm is now banned from marketing the drink as blue wine and Gik is now not an easy find. Apart from the official online store, you can only find this beverage in some stores and restaurants in Madrid.
Gik
Website: Gik
Price: Starts EUR 33.3 (USD 37.89) for three bottles
2. Boina de Chulapo
Boina is a soft and round headwear normally made of hand-knitted or woven cotton, wool or other materials. Boinas are very popular among Madrilenians, who are also referred to as Chulapos. During prominent festivals like Day of San Isidro celebrated on May 15 and Day of La Virgen de la Almudena, which is celebrated on November 9, the streets of Madrid are filled with people wearing traditional wear including boinas. A number of hat makers claim to make traditional boina de chulapo, but the best place to visit is the old city. Here, you can buy authentic boina de chulapo from sellers who have been in business for over 100 years.
Sombrerería Medrano
Address: Calle Imperial, 12, 28012 Madrid
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday
Website: Sombrerería Medrano
Price: Starts EUR 10 (USD 11.38)
3. Bullfighting poster
A visit to a bullring can be a great adventure if you are in Madrid between May to October. Bullfighting is deeply rooted in Spanish tradition and the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid is one of the best places to watch angry bulls fight with a picador. Although bullfighting posters are widely available in Madrid, Zings is the place to be if you are looking for a customized poster with your name.
Zings
Address: Calle Alcala 231, 28028 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 2 pm and afternoon from 5 pm to 8:30 pm
Website: Zings
Price: Starts EUR 4.95 (USD 5.63)
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4. Manila shawl
Mantón de Manila, or commonly known as Manila shawl, is a traditional item of clothing worn by women during special events in Madrid. These shawls are normally made with silk and decorated with birds, animals, bright colors and more. This square clothing piece covers the shoulder of the wearer when folded in half. Borca in central Madrid specializes in shawls, where you can find quality Manila shawls.
Borca
Address: Calle del Marqués Viudo de Pontejos, 2, 28012 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 8:30 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Website: Borca
Price: Starts EUR 20 (USD 22.76)
Madrid Tour Guide
Sandra Lopez
Hi! I'm Sandra, a tour guide from Madrid. I was born and raised in the city center of the capital, so I know every single corner of my favourite city in the world. I have two years of experience as a guide and I love my job, I am very sociable and I am passionate about showing Madrid to everyone. I love history and I am an art expert thanks to the Prado Museum courses.
Tours by Sandra
Madrid Tour Guide
Patricia Knabe
Hi! I am a photographer that’s triying to go ahead in filming as a cinematographer. Very social person that has experienced the Madrid during the transicion, Movida madrileña and the LGTB movement. Love to show my city in a special way with all the history and improvements that are happening today. I love to show my city with a different personal perspective. Meeting people from all over the world is amazing.
Tours by Patricia
5. Caramelos de Violeta
Caramelos de Violeta are incredible violet-flavored candies which were apparently introduced to Spain by King Alfonso XIII, who got a couple of boxes full of these candies on his way back from France. These violet-flavored purple candies are common birthday gifts and treats at social events. The complicated manufacturing process of Caramelos de Violeta makes them a much sought after delicacy in Madrid. You’ll find these violet candies in many places within Madrid but La Violeta, open since 1915, has earned the reputation of selling one of the best Caramelos de Violeta in the city.
La Violeta
Address: Plaza de Canalejas, 6, 28014
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
Website: La Violeta
Price: Starts EUR 2 (USD 2.28)
6. Olive oil
Nearly half of the world’s olive oil comes from Spain. Olive oil is an integral part of Spanish cuisine and an average person in the country consumes about 10 liters of this liquid gold each year. There are over a hundred varieties of olive oils that you can find in Spain, and Madrid is the best place to find some of the best varieties. There are many stores in Madrid where you can find olive oils ranging from extra virgin to the ones infused with flavors such as garlic rosemary. La Chinata is a store where you will find an array of olive oils, as well as olive-oil-infused cosmetics.
La Chinata
Address: Calle Mayor, 44, 28013 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm
7. Saffron
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world and it forms an important part of Spanish cuisine. In Spain, this versatile spice is used in a variety of dishes: from lamb stews to paellas, soups, sauces, roast suckling pig and even ice cream. If you are a foodie and are fond of cooking, then ensure you buy a small pack of saffron during your trip to Madrid. If you are looking to buy saffron or products made from saffron, head to La Melguiza.
La Melguiza
Address: Calle de Santiago 12, 28013 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 am to 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
8. Espadrille (Alpargatas)
Espadrille, or alpargatas, are casual, flat shoes worn by many women in Spain. Espadrilles are made all across Spain and in the past, they were considered peasant’s footwear. Modern-day versions of these footwear are more trendy, which attracts many people. In many Spanish beach towns, espadrilles are more preferred than flip-flops. In Madrid, there are a few places where you can get your hands on traditional as well as modern espadrilles. Head to La Alpargatería if you want to see, or buy, a wide selection of Espadrille.
La Alpargatería
Address: Garcia de Paredes Street, 74, 28010 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 2 pm, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday 10 am to 2 pm
9. Majórica Pearls
Majórica pearls are imitation pearls, which are made on Majorca Island. These pearls are popular as they look very similar to natural pearls. These man-made pearls have layers of lacquers over solid glass balls. Majórica pearls are used in jewelry like bracelets, rings, necklaces and more. Majorica in El Corte Ingles in Madrid is a great place to buy jewelry made of Majórica pearls.
Majorica in El Corte Ingles
Address: Calle de Goya, 76, 28001 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 9:30 pm
10. Spanish Hand Fan
For centuries, Spain has produced great abanicos or hand fans. You’ll find traditional Spanish fans in many places but Casa de Diego is the best place in Madrid to buy abanicos. This shop has been selling handmade abanicos for two centuries and here, you’ll find some great fans with exquisite designs. This shop is located in the Puerta del Sol square, which can be easily reached via metro.
Casa de Diego
Address: Puerta del Sol, 12, 28013 Madrid
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 8 pm
Enjoy a shopping trip to Madrid
The historical buildings and monuments attract many tourists to Madrid each year. The Spanish capital has many places where you can shop for yourself as well as for friends and family. Don’t forget to buy some souvenirs on your trip to Madrid.
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