Destination: Madrid
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Department Stores

Spain's most popular department store group is El Corte Inglés. As well as fashion, fabrics and accessories, they sell everything from toiletries to camera film and batteries. With well-priced restaurants, they are usually open from 10-9, and do not close for lunch. Central branches include: Calle de Preciados 3 Plaza de Callao 2 Calle de Goya 76 and 87 Calle de Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde 79 Calle de la Princesa 42 Calle de Serrano 47

Shopping Areas

The best-known, and most expensive, shopping area of Madrid is on and around the Calle de Serrano. Other good hunting grounds include the Gran Vía, and the area around Puerta del Sol, especially Calle de Preciados. Near the University, on the northwest side of the city, Calle de la Princesa has young, trendy shops. Around Chueca, new boutiques and galleries are opening every day.

Palacios y Museos

This is the place to buy reproductions of famous pieces from the world's most famous museums. Typically Spanish gifts include decanters based on designs from the 18th-century glass factory at La Granja, gold cufflinks based on pre-Colombian artefacts, and fans made of polished pear wood. ADDRESS: Arturo Soria 126 PHONE: 91 338 72 65

Rastro Flea Market

The Sunday morning El Rastro is legendary. Many stalls sell modern handicrafts, such as model planes and boats made from recycled soft drink cans, scented candles, wood carvings and leather belts and handbags. This is a good place to shop for inexpensive souvenirs and gifts.

Read All About It!

Wander along Calle de Claudio Moyano, on the south side of the Real Jardín Botánico, to have a look at the stalls of the Mercado del Libro. This open-air, second-hand book market is busiest on Sunday mornings, but some stalls are open during the week. At the end of May and beginning of June, La Feria del Libro (Madrid's book fair), attracts crowds to Parque del Retiro, where hundreds of stalls representing publishers and bookshops are set up.

What to Take Home

For a wide selection of local delicacies such as jamón (ham), sausages and cheese, head for the food halls at El Corte Inglés. Extra virgin olive oils are good buys. You can pick up Spanish wines and vacuum-packed food stuffs at Barajas Airport.


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