Madrid's Shopping Districts:
Many of these parts of Madrid are on the route of the Madrid Sightseeing Tour Bus, apart from being served by the underground Metro network.
Gran Via & Sol: The biggest brands have their largest stores here. The Inditex chains such as Zara, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius, owned by Amancio Ortega Gaona, are visibly present here. This Spanish apparel industry giant is bulging at the seams, necessarily expanding into the other parts of Europe, but their origin remains Gran Via.
Principe Pío: A bus and train hub, with a modern shopping mall built above it. The most central large covered shopping mall in Madrid, perfect for a rainy day shopping spree. The metro shuttle from Opera metro station brings you in fastest.
Ortega y Gasset: This is the upscale area, indulging the rich and famous. As may be expected, you'll find ABC Serrano close by, a three floor mall with some of Europe's most exclusive apparel outlets, with price tags to match.
Fuencarral & Hortaleza: The hip heaven of c/Fuencarral and c/Hortaleza are just off Gran Via. To the north is Chueca, Madrid's gay district; on the other side lies Malasaña, the most fashionable part of town. The shopping centre separates them. Many of the trendier stores are running out of elbow room and are being shoved out by the biggies. Market battles notwithstanding, funky and customised apparel is still available in the Fuencarral market. Despite exorbitantly prices , bargains are possible. Cheap shoes can be found on c/Hortaleza.
El Corte Inglés : Spain's omnipotent and omnipresent chain of department stores - they're so big they count as districts of their own. If you can't get it in one of their many branches, you're unlikely to find it anywhere. You cant beat El Corte Inglés for convenience, no matter how hard you try. Madrid's El Corte Inglés stores can be found at the following metro stops: Sol, Arguelles, Goya and Nuevos Ministerios.
The Cheaper Side:
El Rastro (The Trace) - Plaza de Cascorro, Calle Ribera and side streets which become one of the largest flea markets in the world. Open: Sunday and public holidays - 10:30 to 15:00; Nearest metro station: La Latina and Tirso de Molina
Mercado Puerta de Toledo (Toledo Gate Market): Displays stores and galleries with antiques, art, fashion, etc. Open: Tuesday to Friday
The Stamp Market - Plaza Mayor: For philatelists mainly. People buy and sell stamps, banknotes and coins. Open: Sunday morning; Nearest metro station: Sol
Cuesta de Moyano - Calle de Claudio Moyano: For new & second-hand books. Open: Sundays from 10:30 am; Nearest metro station: Atocha
Conde de Barajas Market - Plaza del Conde de Barajas: Artists attempt to sell their paintings In this square, near the Plaza Mayor. Open: Sunday morning; Nearest metro station: La Latina
Local Stores: If you wish to bypass tourist areas and visit small local shops, the best neighbourhoods are Salamanca and Chueca. The Salamanca neighbourhood has specialty boutiques and the most exclusive brands of fashion, accessories, decoration and delicatessen. The Chueca area specialises in modern and current stores.
Opening Times: The store hours for the majority of the small shops in Madrid are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stores are closed Sundays.
