Madrid Shopping Tips by Beach_dog

Stamp Market: Stamps, Coins, Cards, even Bottle Tops

A large stamp market held every Sunday at the Plaza Mayor.
Vendors sell all sorts of collectable items, but the main emphasis is on stamps and coins. It seems you can buy any Spanish stamp your collection needs as well as many foreign stamps. Coins range from Roman right through to the Euro.
I also saw many unusual items such as beer bottle tops, if only I'd thought they were collectable I'd have a big collection by now :0)
I first visited this market in 1970 and visiting again in 2003 brought back some nostalgic memories for me.
I also saw people at one corner, who had brought along there albums of duplicates, they check each others albums and swap the duplicates, a good idea and it costs nothing.

What to pay: Haggle, bring the price down.

Address: Plaza Mayor

Theme: Antiques

El Rastro: El Rastro a large flea market. El Rastro Review

A huge flea market selling anything and everything. I was amazed at the extent of it filling the streets for a few blocks in every direction. Certainly worth a visit if you are in Madrid on a Sunday morning. Just beware of pickpockets in the crowds.

Address: Ribera de Curtidores

Directions: A big area between Metro "Puerta de Toledo", Metro "La Latina" and Metro "Antón Martin".

Theme: Other

El Corte Ingles: REBAJAS únicas Department Stores Review

A country wide department store selling just about everything you could need. Stores in most Spanish cities and at least four in the Madrid area.

What to buy: Go during the sales in January, discounts on many goods from 20 to 60 %. A good time to get those designer brand clothes at big discount prices.

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.elcorteingles.es/