The most convenient area for tourists is around Calle de Preciados, between Sol and Gran Vía, home to
El Corte Inglés department store, and high-street names like
Zara, Gran Vía 32, and
Casa Jiménez, Calle de Preciados 42, famed throughout Spain for its
mantones and
mantillas (lace and embroidered shawls).
The smartest shopping district is Salamanca northeast of the center, around Calle Serrano. Top designer names like
Armani,
Chanel,
Versace,
Hermès and
Hugo Boss, including the fluid
fabrics and elegant cuts of Spanish designer
Adolfo Domínguez, are located on Calle Ortega y Gasset.
Head for Calle Serrano for
Purificación García,
Roberto Verino,
Ermenegildo Zegna and
Yves Saint Laurent. Another trendy area is Chueca, especially Calles Almirante and Conde de Xiquena, while the place for youth fashions is Calle Fuencarral. You can find bargains during the sales, which take place in January and July.
The main areas for antiques are Salamanca and the arcades on Calle Ribera de Curtidores -
Nuevas Galerías, at number 12, and
Galerías Piquer, at number 29. Bargain hunters should make for the
Rastro, Madrid's famous flea market, also located around Ribera de Curtidores. The market is open on Sunday mornings (closing at 1400). Shoppers should beware of pickpockets in this area.
More unusual shops include:
Mesquida, Calle Mayor 22, for religious and devotional objects, including crib pieces;
the Spanish guitar specialist,
Manuel Gonzales Contreras, with the store at Calle de la Paz 8, and the workshop at Calle General Margallo 10;
El Flamenco Vive, Calle Conde de Lemos 7, which sells sheet music, videos and CDs as well as colorful costumes and accessories; and
Seseña, Calle Cruz 23, makers of traditional Spanish capes.
Madrid's shops are generally open from 0930/1000 to 1330/1400 and 1630/1700 to 2030/2100, with major stores open throughout the lunch hours.
VAT (IVA) of 16% is charged on most goods in Spain. It is possible for visitors from outside the EU to claim a tax refund from many central shops - shoppers should look for the Global Refund Tax Free Shopping stickers in windows and ask for Tax Free Cheques and keep with receipts to be presented at airport customs upon departure. Further information is available from
Global Refund (
www.globalrefund.com).
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Madrid Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Spain Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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