Shopping

Spain:

Look for ceramics, tilework, marquetry ware, Toledo swords, and embroidery. Shops normally open around 9am, close around 2pm for a siesta, then reopen from 4:30-8pm.

Barcelona

Although not quite in the same league as Paris or Milan, Barcelona is certainly among Europe's cities of style. It is a natural magnet for the fashion-conscious and there is no shortage of design outlets for even the most tireless consumer. Everything from books to jewels, haute couture (local and international) and designer furniture can be found. Several markets animate squares around the centre of town.

The best shopping areas in central Barcelona are Passeig de Gracia and the streets to its southwest, including the Bulevard Rosa arcade just north of Carrer d'Arago, and Barri Gotic streets such as Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Carrer de la Boqueria, Carrer del Call, Carrer de la Llibreteria and Carrer de Ferran, and around Placa de Sant Josep Oriol.

Department-store bargain-hunters should note that the winter sales officially start on or around 10 January and their summer equivalents on or around July 5. The big department stores (such as El Corte Ingles) and shopping complexes (such as El Triangle) tend to open from 9am or 10am through to 9pm or 10pm at night, Monday to Saturday. Smaller shops often close for a few hours at lunchtime (around 2pm to 4pm).


Zaragoza:

Shopping is great in Zaragoza. It is known as the city of shops and it does live up to its name. In the city, there are three main areas of shopping. There are two main areas of shopping in the city center. One is the main street of the city which is known as Paseo de Independencia. On this street you will find the giants such as Mango, Corte Ingles and Zara as well as lovely bookstores and art shops. If you continue from Paseo de Independencia towards Gran Vía, you will find another street lined with shops. These shops tend to be a bit more unusual and much smaller but have really unique goods.

As far as outside markets, there is a large one which is held twice a week in the parking lot of the football stadium. Every Wednesday and Sunday morning you can find an array of goods and if you are looking for a "bargain" it is probably going to be your best bet.

San Sebastian:

San Sebastian is a very popular summer destination in Spain, the city's population swelling during the summer months. And when it comes to shopping, the city meets the demands of the thousands of tourists who visit each year. Popular items for sale in San Sebastian, in both pubic markets and shops, are Basque handicrafts including clothing, religious items, baskets, leather goods, traditional wooden sculptures, and musical instruments. The Basque markets also sell traditional foods such as hand made cheeses and cider. One such store selling Basque items in the city is Saski Naski, on Boulevard 24.

There are also several more modern shopping options in the area including clothing boutiques, marine specialties, shoe stores, and art galleries. San Sebastian is even home to a few larger shopping centers.
Several shops in the "Old City" that have been in business for many years, attracting tourists for their shopping as well as for their authentic atmosphere.

Oviedo:

The Old Town is full of small traditional shops. There is an open-air market in the main square on most days, which is worth a look. The traditional covered market is close to the Plaza de la Constitucion. Close to the covered market there are various shops that sell traditional foodstuff and cider. There are also various large shopping malls in Oviedo. The shopping malls offer uninterrupted shopping hours, from 10am to about 9PM. Other shops and businesses in Spain tend to close from 2am-5am:

Santiago de Compostela:
Santiago de Compostela has two particular local crafts—jet ware and silverware. The black jet stones are used for jeweler and amulets, while all kinds of silver goods are available to buy. The shops around the cathedral stock a good selection of these - many have some association with St James or local traditions.

You can find ceramic tiles, lace, clogs and other artisans' goods in the craft shops of the Old Quarter. The markets, on the Virxe da Cerca, are excellent venues for exploring the delights of traditional Galician produce and crafts. Pulpeiras (octopus sellers) are a common sight on market days, as are wine and liqueur sellers.

If the traditional markets of Santiago de Compostela cannot satisfy shopping urges, head to the more modern facilities available in the shopping centers near the station, the Polígono de Fontiñas and around Castiñeiriño. The department store El Corte Inglés is located at Rúa do Restallal 50, in the Zona Paxonal. In the arcades of Tras de Pilar, there are shops selling the work of the rising generation of young Galician fashion designers.

General shopping hours are 1000-1400 and 1630-2000—the extended lunch break is standard. IVA (value added tax) of 16% is charged on most goods and services in Spain. Non-EU visitors who are in the country for less than 180 days may claim back the tax at the airport, provided that a tax return slip was obtained from the retailer at the time of purchase.

Madrid

Major credit cards and foreign bank cards are accepted in most stores, but be aware that it is common practice to be asked for photo-ID ("D.N.I."). If asked for your DNI, present your passport, residency permit or foreign ID card. Basically anything with your photo and name on it will be accepted by most shopkeepers. The signatures on credit cards are usually not checked.


• Sol-Salamanca districts: The most convenient area for tourists is around Calle de Preciados, between Sol and Gran Vía, home to the El Corte Inglés department store, high-street names like Zara, Gran Vía 32, H&M, Sephora, Pimkie... The smartest shopping district is Salamanca northeast of the center, around Calle Serrano. Top designer names like Chanel, Versace, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Dolce e Gabbana 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, Loewe, Carolina Herrera, Manolo Blanik, Cartier, and Yves Saint Laurent. Prada is on Goya strret, and on Jorge Juan st we can find more luxury shops.

• El Rastro: Madrid's largest flea market, only open on Sunday mornings, featuring rows upon rows of private vendors selling a variety of homemade goods, and a wealth of live entertainment. It is very important to note that the Rastro is notorious for having an abundance of pickpockets, so watch your handbag closely and do not bring along valuables. The closest Metro station is La Latina.

• Cuesta de Moyano: A quaint outdoor book market, near Museo del Prado.

• Chueca and Fuencarral Street Area: This part of the city used to be an abandoned and marginal area. But lately it has quickly turned into the most avant-garde and modern part of Madrid. Thanks to the gay community, old shops were taken over and turned into the coolest places of Madrid. Today, it is an example of modernity, a paradise for entertainment where everything is possible. The streets are filled with restaurants, alternative cafés and shops, a good example is the Market of Fuencarral (Mercado de Fuencarral, in Spanish) a novel shopping center concept.

• Fuencarral Market (Mercado de Fuencarral): The market is one of the most daring and dynamic spaces in the city. Besides shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories and decorative items, that will delight the most daring and fashion conscious shoppers, this modern market also offers avant-garde cultural activities on a continuous basis. Frequent disc jockey sessions are put on in the center’s café, and also exhibitions in the art gallery and cinema projections and theater pieces in the old cinema room. The Cinema and activities are open until midnight. It is located in the Fuencarral street, number 45, between Tribunal and Gran Via. Its 3 floors crowded of modern shops are aimed specially for young people.

• El Corte Inglés: It's a "Harrod's Like" store, multiple buildings, several floors, you can find anything in a wide range and stocks. It sells almost everything, from gastronomy to pneumatics. Several locations in Madrid.
And there is a great number of H&M, Zara, Mango, Blanco stores all over Madrid, with high fashion clothes and accessories at a low price.