Spain on Show

Shopping

Shopping is as much a pleasure in Spain as it is anywhere – if you enjoy shopping you’ll enjoy it here, if you don’t, chances are you won’t!

These days Spain has a host of international brands and large stores. In our opinion the quaintly named ‘Corte Ingles’ – literally English Courtyard – is one of the finest department stores we’ve seen anywhere in the world. There are plenty of supermarkets.

Prices are reasonable – essentials are cheaper than England, food is great value, especially if you buy it in the markets or from the roadside stalls that sell melons, oranges and other seasonal fruit. As you’d expect wine and beer are much cheaper than in England, as is petrol.

One of the joys of Spain is the little corner shop, often doubling as a café and bar. This is the sort of place you can buy two eggs, a row of pegs and then have a beer whilst sitting in a plastic seat on the pavement watching the local old boys talk or play cards.

For bigger goods, furniture, pottery etc the best place to shop is outlet places along the main highway. Throughout the Costa Blanca you’ll find the most fantastic garden centres specialising in plants that thrive in the local conditions – nothing makes a new property look like a home than elegant planting.