Advice about shopping

Store hours, paying, deals, department stores, supermarkets, etc.

Testimony 1

“Store hours in Spain are annoying. Some stores open up around 8:00 in the morning, but they close from 2:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 for the “siesta,” which is basically national “nap time.” Stores open back up around 5:00 until 8:00 in the evening. Fortunately, some larger department-like stores stay open all day. Stores, including grocery stores, close for good at 2:00 on Saturdays and some, but not all, are open on Sundays. They accept all normal methods of payment (i.e. cash, credit card).”

“If you are picky about toiletries, bring a supply’s worth. The Body Shop does exist (this is more for girls than guys). But in any store a basic assortment of shampoo, dial, toothpaste, and razors are available.”

“We bought a radio for our piso for 30 Euros and it was well worth the money. I did grocery shopping at El Corte Ingles in Sol and Champion on Calle Toledo. Both accept credit cards.”

Testimony 2

“Unless you’re shopping at a large department store such as El Corte Inglés, most shops close for siesta from 2-5ish. Many shops are now open on Sundays especially downtown. There is a centric shopping area around Sol. The Corte Inglés there has practically everything from music to clothes to groceries. I usually did my grocery shopping there or at a discount store like Dia% or Champion, but there are many. El Corte Inglés is more expensive but they have cheaper outlets called Opencor and Hipercor. Opencor is almost always open (8am-2am) and Hipercor is a gigantic Walmart-type supermarket.”

Testimony 3

“I found the supermarkets to be somewhat cheaper than their American counterparts. It is fairly easy to find nearby supermarkets in any area of Madrid and some of the most common places are: Dia%, Caprabo, Mercadona and El Corte Ingles. They are almost always open on Sundays as well as for siesta every day (2-5 pm).”

Testimony 4

“Many stores are closed for the siesta 2-5pm. The hours vary with each store, but most are open 10am-2pm and 5-8pm, Monday-Friday. On Saturdays some don’t reopen for the evening hours. On Sundays there is a free timetable and every store decides whether they open or close, so ask. The bigger chain stores don’t close for the siesta. As for groceries, you can find almost everything and in many varieties at El Corte Ingles, but the prices are slightly higher on certain items.”