Shopping in Granada

Shopping in Granada offers plenty of opportunities to spend, spend, spend.

Key areas

The best places to find distinctive Granada artisanry such as beautiful, intricate marquetry boxes and trays, and traditional green-and-white ceramics with the pomegranate emblem, are Cuesta de Gomérez (the street leading up to the Alhambra), the Alcaicería (the old Moorish silk exchange converted to a shopping arcade), and Calle Calderería Nueva in the lower Albaicín.

Calderería Nueva also sells alternative goods such as natural cosmetics and attractive Moroccan lamps, mirrors, slippers, hookers and North African pottery and is dotted with offbeat Asian-style tea houses. Good shops to check include Artesanía Carlos López, Alcaicería 10, and nearby Cerámica Fabre, Calle Pescadería.

For fashionable clothes and shoes head to Calle de los Mesones, a long, pedestrian street just south of the Alcaicería, or the busy streets fanning out from nearby Puerta Real.

Markets

Head for San Agustín market near the cathedral where stalls spill out into the surrounding streets, laden with fresh fruit, veg, bread and pastries, flowers, fish and seafood, and meat and deli products. Nearby is the herb and spice market, offering exotic spices such as paprika and cumin, cinnamon and oregano, and more. The market in Plaza San Agustín is open between Monday and Saturday from 10 am until 2.30 pm. Alternatively, head to the Lachana neighborhood on Wednesdays, El Zaidín neighborhood on Saturdays, and the Polígano de Cartuja on Sundays, for everything from clothing to furnishings.

Shopping centres

You can't go wrong with the ubiquitous Spanish department store El Corte Inglés on Carrera del Genil.

Opening hours

Shops are generally open from 1000 to 1330 and 1700 to 2030, although some shops, especially the bigger ones, forego the siesta.

Souvenirs

The most interesting souvenirs to buy are ceramics and traditional flamenco fashions, Moroccan lamps and mirrors and arts and crafts, spices, wine and cheese.