Ticking items off on your Spain itinerary will very well make you think of souvenirs. Whether you’re on the hunt for glitzy fashion pieces or charming local crafts, there’s little chance that you will leave Madrid empty-handed. Here are some of the places where you can experience the best shopping in Madrid:
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Best Shopping in Madrid: Department Stores
El Corte Inglés
With at least 10 locations in Madrid alone, El Corte Inglés has emerged as the largest department store chain in Europe. Its stores are well known for their comprehensive collections of designer boutiques and jewelry. Some of its Madrid locations include stores on Calle de Goya, Calle de Serrano, Calle Margarita de Parma and Paseo de la Castellana.
Façade of El Corte Inglés on Calle de Goya – photo by Luis García (Zaqarbal) under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0-ES 
El Corte Inglés at Centro Comercial Sanchinarro on Calle Margarita de Parma – photo by Zarateman under CC-Zero 
Façade of El Corte Inglés on Paseo de la Castellana – photo by Luis García (Zaqarbal) under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0-ES
Fnac
This French department store chain that specializes in books, music and other cultural products opened its first store in Madrid in 1993. These days it includes electronic goods in its list of offerings and has several stores in the city. These include those on Calle de Preciados and Calle de Goya, and at Plaza Rio 2.
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IT books section of Fnac on Calle de Preciados near Plaza del Callao – photo by Álvaro Ibáñez from Madrid, Spain under CC-BY-SA-2.0
Best Shopping in Madrid: Luxury Boutiques
LOEWE
The renowned Spanish luxury fashion brand traces its roots to Madrid and has been famed for its leather items. You can find a Casa LOEWE all over Madrid, including those on Calle de Serrano and Calle Gran Vía.
A LOEWE boutique on Calle de Serrano – photo by Lourdes Cardenal under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Manolo Blahnik
Look around the Manolo Blahnik shop on Calle de Serrano and be amazed with all the elegant, high-end footwear you will see.
The Manolo Blahnik store on Serrano Street in Madrid – photo by Sergio Calleja (Life is a trip) under CC BY-SA 2.0
Best Shopping in Madrid: Malls
Centro Comercial Príncipe Pío
This sleek mall with glass ceilings offers an extensive variety of shops and casual dining spots. There’s also a movie theater within the shopping complex.
Principe Pío Shopping Mall entrance – photo by FDV under GFDL and CC-BY-3.0
Madrid Xanadú
One of the largest in Europe, Madrid Xanadú treats shoppers to a selection of more than 200 shops and eating places. The mall is also home to a 15-screen cinema complex and the Madrid SnowZone.
Inside Madrid Xanadú – photo by FDV under CC-BY-SA-2.5
Plaza Norte 2
You can find a wide range of shops and restaurants in this stylish retail complex in Madrid. Plaza Norte 2 also features a movie theater and a program for kids.
Inside Plaza Norte 2 shopping mall – photo by M.Peinado under CC-BY-3.0-ES and CC-BY-2.0
Best Shopping in Madrid: Markets
El Rastro
El Rastro has been a popular flea market since the Middle Ages. Each Sunday, you can browse for popular brand knock-offs, hand-sewn bags, old watches and all the other wares offered in the thousands of stalls at El Rastro.
Old knick knacks and other vintage stuff at El Rastro Market – photo by Italian Lasagna under CC BY-ND 2.0
Mercado de San Antón
If you want to find something gourmet or hand-crafted as a souvenir of your trip to Madrid, you might want to visit Mercado de San Antón. This is a great spot for hunting down gourmet olive oil, handmade soap, Spanish wine and other souvenir items to take home with you.
Interior patio of Mercado de San Antón – photo by Benjamín Núñez González under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Best Shopping in Madrid: Specialty Shops
Antigua Casa Talavera
Antigua Casa Talavera specializes in artistic ceramics not just from Madrid but from other areas of Spain as well.
Façade of Antigua Casa Talavera in Madrid – photo by Luis García (Zaqarbal) under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0-ES
Casa de Diego
Since 1858, Casa de Diego has been the go-to place for handcrafted fans and other genteel accessories for men and women. You can browse through its offerings in its stores along Puerta del Sol and Calle de Mesonero Romanos.
Casa de Diego along Puerta del Sol – photo by Tamorlan under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Best Shopping in Madrid: Streets
Calle de Fuencarral
There are shops of fashion’s big names and alternative labels along Calle de Fuencarral. There’s also a mix of body art parlors, Asian boutiques and quaint cafes that contribute to the bohemian charm of the street. Among the shops here are Sfera, Superdry, Adidas and Levi’s® Store.
Sfera on Calle de Fuencarral – photo by Luis García (Zaqarbal) under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0-ES
Calle de Preciados
This pedestrianized street is one of the most popular retail hubs in Madrid. There are various shops and a couple of department stores lining the street, including Fnac, Foot Locker, MANGO and MAC Cosmetics.
Calle Preciados in Madrid, Spain – photo by Tiia Monto under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Calle de Serrano
The southern half of the 3-kilometer long Calle de Serrano is famous for its array of shops. There’s Michael Kors, Geox, Prada and Coach to name some.
One of the shops on Calle de Serrano – photo by Lourdes Cardenal under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Calle Gran Vía
Also called the Spanish Broadway, Calle Gran Via is home to several shops, theatres and restaurants. Some of the shops along this street are H&M, Nike Store, Zara and Pull & Bear.
Calle Gran Via in Madrid, Spain – photo by Tiia Monto under CC-BY-SA-3.0
