Shopping Day in Madrid

Surely after a non-stop day of touring the capital, you may want to take some time to relax and do some shopping to pick up souvenirs for family, take advantage of special offers, or simply to visit some well-known shops in Madrid…

Like all large cities, Madrid offers shopping of all kinds: large chains, neighbourhood shops, shopping centres, open-air markets, secondhand stores, etc. We’ll break down the shopping areas of Madrid so that when you are organising your school trip, you can go straight for what you are looking for, rather than wasting time wandering around.

Shopping Areas and Streets

You probably are already familiar with the area adjacent to Puerta del Sol that is dotted with stores. Along Calle Preciados, the main street, you’ll find a gigantic El Corte Inglés and all of the familiar Inditex stores, including a 5-story FNAC.

Nearby you’ll also find Arenal Street, that leads to Opera, lined with numerous shoe stores; Plaza Mayor, with an abundance of souvenir stops; and of course, Gran Via, with the best Primark in Spain as well as a mix of other large name brand stores (Zara, H&M, Stradivarius, etc.).

Along these main streets you’ll undoubtedly find anything you may wish to buy. However, if you’re looking for something more exclusive or original, you’ll want to head to Serrano Street or anywhere in the Goya neighbourhood. Here you’ll also find all of the well-known high-end stores.

On the other hand, if you prefer wandering through smaller stores, with artisanal gifts and garments or personal designs, we would recommend shopping the streets of Malasaña. There you’ll find all types of quirky shops, vintage stores and second-hand boutiques.

 

Shopping Centres

Another option, especially if it’s chilly or you’d like to have a more controlled environment for your group, is to visit a shopping centre on the outskirts of the city for a few hours. There you all can shop under the same roof with the added convenience of a food court and play area to pass free time. The most prominent in Madrid are:

  • Príncipe Pío, located in the historic station of the same name, one stop away from Opera thanks to the metro line.
  • Plenilunio, located east of the city.
  • La Gavia, located in Ensanche de Vallecas, southeast of Madrid
  • Plaza Norte 2, in San Sebastián de los Reyes, towards the north.
  • Plaza Río, recently opened, located along the Manzanares River, in front of the Matadero.
  • Isla Azul, in the southern outskirts of the city.
  • Xanadú, the only shopping centre featuring an artificial ski and snowboard hill, found in the outskirts of Madrid towards the southeast.

El Rastro and Other Open-Air Markets

Last but not least, Madrid is also full of a number of open-air markets of all variety. If you’re lucky, your trip will coincide with one of the many held on weekends. If visiting Madrid over a weekend, make sure to save Sunday morning to visit El Rastro, an obligatory stop when visiting the city. Beginning in the Cascorro Plaza, between La Latina and Lavapiés, you’ll find a hugeeee series of stalls (more than 3,000) that stretch all the way down Ribera de Curtidores: t-shirts, antiques, furniture, jeans, home decor, and all types of items new and used. Its origins date back to around 1740 when it was a small underground market for the trade of used goods. This stop is not only for shopping, but also an opportunity to experience the cultural history of the city.

Pop-Up Shops and Monthly Markets

Here we have a list for you of the most well-known markets held throughout the city:

  • Mercado del Diseño: held monthly at the Matadero, a gathering of diverse designers and craft makers, who make their products by hand.
  • Lost and Market: a second-hand and vintage market born out of a need for a sustainable and collaborative space for buying, selling, and trading of goods. It is an open access market where anyone can participate by contributing their personal items such as books, clothes, music, comics, computer products, toys, and much more.
  • Adelita Market: The philosophy behind this market is to promote rational use of products, prioritizing re-use and waste reduction while also serving as an example of a sustainable project model that can be exported to other cities or neighbourhoods. It is celebrated on the third Saturday of each month in Plaza Dos de Mayo.
  • Rave Market: a market in Madrid that relies on public participation, run by a non-profit organisation focused on promoting the recycling and exchange of second-hand items to create a free market where anyone can contribute their goods and services voluntarily. It’s held monthly all year except during the summer.
  • Mercado de Motores: The Mercado de Motores is a famous monthly market held all weekend long in the historic Delicias station, at the Railway Museum. It offers handicrafts and vintage “hipster” fashion and, of course, food trucks for a well-deserved break while shopping.

Guide to Organising your School Trip to Madrid

Discover more with this special travel guide we have prepared so that teachers can easily plan and organise an educational school trip. Let us know your preferences and requirements–we specialize the trip to fit your group’s every need. Everything you need to know for a cultural school trip to Madrid: