Last Updated on March 27, 2018 by Nancie
Having a browse around the shops when you’re away from home is always exciting. Checking out the different brands on offer, and trying to spot a bargain, are just some of the shopping pleasures we all enjoy. A visit to Alicante will not disappoint when it comes to retail therapy. There are plenty of different shops on offer where you can pick up something new to take back home – here are a few of the HolidayTransfer teams’ favourites.
If you like everything under one roof, there are a couple of indoor shopping malls in Alicante to visit. The Plaza Mar 2 is a brand new shopping centre located right in the centre of the city, not far from the beach. It’s the perfect place to find well-known favourites such as H & M, Zara and Mango, and there’s also an enormous supermarket selling all those holiday essentials and more. On the top floor there’s a number of restaurants if you fancy a bite to eat while you’re shopping. There is also The Centrol Commercial Gran Via which has more than 100 shops located over several floors. Fashion, jewellery, toys, sporting goods and perfume are just some of the items on offer. You could easily lose a whole day at this mall so come prepared to stay a while.
Alicante Shopping
For bargain hunters there’s The Outlet Stores in Alicante. This collection of shops sells much-loved brands at a discount. Pick up Levi’s, Nike, Quiksilver and other brands at a fraction of the regular price. The mall opens 10am to 10pm most days so you can shop late into the evening after a day on the beach.
If you prefer to shop in high streets lined with boutiques and an assortment of coffee shops, then head over to Rambla de Mendez Nunez. This area is popular with tourists and locals and you can find souvenirs, clothing and many high street chain stores. Between Rambla and Avenida de Frederico Soto there are more individual shops, even a choice of wedding dress stores, so take time to wander the side streets for a sample of Spanish goods. This area comes alive in the evening and is the heart of the Old Town of Alicante.
El Corte Ingles is a large Spanish chain of departments stores, and Alicante has two of these multi-storey wonders. One sells fashion accessories, up-to-the-minute clothing and a range of make-up. The other store stocks everything you can think of to furnish the home. Spend time looking through the racks and displays of both and find yourself a little Spanish gem.
There are a number of markets that take place everyday in Alicante, including an antique market held on Sundays at the town hall. The most spectacular is Mercado Central. The building itself is worth seeing, but inside are stalls displaying fish, seafood, veg, fruit and local delicacies such as hams and sausages. Buy some fresh food to enjoy while you’re on holiday, and take a few samples home with you too. If you love a market then make sure to arrive at this one in the morning as it closes early afternoon.