With Christmas around the corner, there’s no better time to support local businesses. Whether you live in the city or are planning on shopping in Madrid during your next trip, I always recommend getting quality, unique souvenirs from local brands instead of falling for tourist traps.
While there are tons of amazing stores like Zara and Mango in Madrid, here are my 5 favorite small, local shops that I recommend visiting.
Table of Contents
- 5 Best Local Stores for Shopping in Madrid
- How to Round Out the Perfect Day of Shopping in Madrid
- FAQs
- 1. Is shopping in Madrid expensive?
- 2. What are the best neighborhoods for shopping in Madrid?
- 3. What are typical prices for local stores in Madrid?
- 4. What are the best souvenirs to buy when shopping in Madrid?
- 5. Are shops in Madrid open on Sundays?
- 6. Can tourists get a VAT tax refund when shopping in Madrid?
- 7. What is the best time to go shopping in Madrid?
- Final Thoughts
5 Best Local Stores for Shopping in Madrid
1. Cocol (La Latina)
Cocol is my favorite place to get ceramics and quality, handmade goods. With beautifully made candles, mugs, textiles, and interior decor, they offer really unique items that make great gifts or souvenirs. They also ship internationally, so if there’s something larger you’d like to buy without taking up your entire suitcase, they’re able to accommodate.
Last year I got a cute woven donkey that reminded me of the donkey we had at our wedding!
They have a steady rotation of new items each season, so there’s always something new and unique to discover.
Location: Costanilla de San Andrés, 18, Centro, 28005 Madrid (Metro La Latina)
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 – 15:30 \ 17:00 – 20:00, Saturday 11:00 – 18:00, Sunday 11:00 – 15:30
Other nearby stops:
- Watts – for the best pancakes and breakfast burrito in Madrid
- Pastora – trendy coffee shop and natural wine bar
- Mandrake – delicious Greek street food restaurant
2. Mim (Salamanca)
Mim is great if you’re looking for trendy but elevated basic shoes at a low price. From boots to flats to sneakers, they offer a variety of options that you can find for about €30-120 euros depending on the style.
Mim is based in Madrid, and has a standalone store in barrio Salamanca. You can also find their shoes at the WOW concept stores on Gran Vía or in Salamanca.
I personally love these flats that are on my Christmas list!
Location: Calle de Velázquez, 45, 28001 Madrid
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 21:00, Sunday: 10:00 – 15:00
Other nearby stops:
- Mercado de la Paz – authentic food market for a mid-shopping snack
- Bel Mondo – gorgeous, over-the-top Italian restaurant with amazing pasta dishes
- Her – I have only heard amazing things about this trendy fusion restaurant. It’s on my list – but make sure to reserve in advance!
3. Thinking Mu (Justicia)
Thinking Mu is a fantastic spot to buy eco-friendly fashion, including both men’s and women’s clothing. Focused on reducing their footprint and using innovative biodegradable materials, you can shop here with a clean conscious.
Their clothing is super unique, high-quality, and fashionable. They also offer other eco-friendly brands (such as my favorite Olend handbags) in their stores! This is a great way to refresh your wardrobe and discover other ethical brands you may not have heard of.
Location: Calle del Barquillo 23, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 20:30, Sunday: 12:00 – 19:00
Other nearby stops:
- Alquimia Wine Bar – cozy natural wine bar
- MYKA – cute and trendy frozen greek yogurt shop
- Persimmons – new, modern Georgian restaurant with incredible food and cocktails
4. ZigZag Kids (Chueca)
I like to visit ZigZag Kids to buy gifts for my nephew! If you’re traveling with kids or are shopping for any family or friend’s children back home, this is a great spot to visit. They have unique toys, games, and books in both Spanish and English.
They have lots of small toys that make great stocking stuffers for the holidays!
Location: Calle del Barbieri 26, 28004 Madrid
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:00 – 21:00, Sunday & holidays 12:00 – 20:00
Other nearby stops:
- Mercado San Antón – perfect to try classic Spanish tapas or grab a rooftop drink
- Zenith – delicious and trendy brunch spot loved by tourists and locals alike
- Töto Ice Cream – amazing ice cream spot just around the corner from Plaza de Chueca
5. Nest (Malasaña)
Nest is the cutest spot to get paper goods when local shopping in Madrid! They have adorable greeting cards, planners, postcards, and even kids toys, making it a great spot to grab a souvenir for anyone on your list.
It’s surprisingly hard to find cute greeting cards and postcards in Madrid, and I can always count on Nest to find what I’m looking for!
Location: Plaza San Ildefonso 3, Local Derecha, 28004 Madrid
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 -14:30 /16:00 – 20:30, Saturday 11:00 – 15:00 / 16:00 – 20:30, Sundays & holidays 12:00 – 15:00 / 16:00 – 19:00
Other stops nearby:
- 1862 Dry Bar – iconic Madrid cocktail bar
- Pan y Pepinillos Café – cute & cozy coffee shop with a walk-up window
- Casa Macareno – the local-favorite classic Spanish taberna
How to Round Out the Perfect Day of Shopping in Madrid
Book a Massage
End your shopping spree with a massage treatment. In Madrid, you can find a great massage or hammam treatment at a much cheaper price than you would find in the U.S. Take advantage of your time in Spain and book the treatment!
I like going to Hammam Al Andalus for a unique and relaxing Arabian bath experience. Or, get a Thai massage at Mthai in La Latina (a trusted local favorite).
Grab a Nice Dinner
Debut your new outfit or accessories by going out for a nice dinner!
My favorite spots to hit for a special occasion are Circolo Populare for Italian food or Persimmon’s for modern Georgian cuisine. I’d also recommend hitting up Círculo de Bellas Artes after dinner for a rooftop cocktail and take in the sweeping city views!
If you need more inspo, check out more of my favorite restaurants in Madrid.
Catch a Show
Another option to complete a full day of shopping in Madrid is to go see a show! Madrid has a variety of different live entertainment options, including comedy shows, broadway performances, and even flamenco shows.
Right now, you can see musicals like The Lion King, Houdini, and Cabaret in theaters across the city. Check online to see what shows are available during your visit!
For comedy shows, check out Madrid Comedy Lab for shows in English, or El Golfo Comedy Club for shows in Spanish!
Lastly, if you’d like to check out a flamenco show in Madrid, you have a few great options. I like La Cueva de Lola since they perform in a cave and offer great food and drinks. Or if you’re looking for a really special experience, check out the Michelin-star awarded Corral de la Morería. It’s pricier than others, but it’s the most famous flamenco spot in the city for a reason!
Enjoy Madrid’s Nightlife
Don’t miss Madrid’s famed bar/club scene! With clubs just beginning to ramp up at 2am and closing at 6-7am, the city’s nightlife is no joke. There are lots of great options to choose from, but here are a few of my favorites:
- Barbara Ann – this is great if you’re bridging drinks after dinner with a night out. This is a bar, not a nightclub, and offers a fun mix of rock/pop music and dancing.
- Thundercat – this is a fun rock & roll club that I highly recommend for your first visit to Madrid. It’s right across the street from Barbara Ann, making it a good option if you want to keep the night going after Barbara Ann closes!
- Bonded – I like this club because it has a fun but sophisticated vibe, and is great for dancing with friends. They played mostly reggaeton when I went, and it does tend to get crowded later in the night. Plan accordingly!
FAQs
1. Is shopping in Madrid expensive?
Shopping in Madrid can be very affordable, especially if you know where locals shop. While luxury brands in Salamanca can be pricey, most independent boutiques and artisan shops offer high-quality items at much more reasonable prices than you’d find in many U.S. or U.K. cities. Neighborhoods like Malasaña, La Latina, and Chueca are great for budget-friendly shopping in Madrid.
2. What are the best neighborhoods for shopping in Madrid?
Some of the most popular shopping neighborhoods include:
- Salamanca – luxury boutiques, designer brands, high-quality shoe shops like Mim.
- Malasaña – indie shops, stationery, vintage stores.
- La Latina – artisan shops & ceramics ( like Cocol).
- Justicia/Chueca – sustainable fashion, trendy boutiques, kids shops (like Thinking Mu and ZigZag Kids).
These areas are perfect for travelers looking for local shopping in Madrid rather than touristy stores.
3. What are typical prices for local stores in Madrid?
Here’s a quick pricing snapshot for the local shops featured in this guide:
Cocol (Artisan Goods): €20–€120
Mim Shoes (Shoes): €30–€120
Thinking Mu (Ethical Fashion): €40–€150
ZigZag Kids (Kids Toys/Books): €5–€40
Nest (Stationary): €3–€30
This variety makes shopping in Madrid accessible to all budgets.
4. What are the best souvenirs to buy when shopping in Madrid?
Some of the best authentic souvenirs include:
- Handmade ceramics
- Spanish leather goods
- Ethical clothing from local designers
- Art prints & postcards
- Kids toys or bilingual books
- Stationery from Madrid-based makers
These items are unique, local, and support small businesses.
5. Are shops in Madrid open on Sundays?
Many local shops close on Sunday, but larger brands and most boutiques in central areas stay open, especially in neighborhoods like Sol, Gran Vía, Chueca, and Malasaña.
When in doubt, check Google Maps or store Instagram pages for updated hours.
6. Can tourists get a VAT tax refund when shopping in Madrid?
Yes! If you live outside the EU and spend more than €100 in one store, you can claim a VAT refund.
Ask for the tax-free form at checkout and bring it to the airport VAT counter before departure.
It’s an easy way to save 10–15% on your shopping in Madrid.
7. What is the best time to go shopping in Madrid?
Madrid’s biggest sales (rebajas) happen:
- January (after the holidays)
- July (summer sales)
Stores also tend to restock mid-week, making Tuesday–Thursday ideal for shopping in Madrid without the usual crowds.
Final Thoughts
While I love Zara and Mango as much as the next girl, I think it’s extremely important to support local businesses. I hope these local stores inspire your next big shopping spree in Madrid! Hopefully you’ll love them as much as I do and walk away with some special finds.
Let me know in the comments if you end up visiting any of these 5 spots, or if you find a new local favorite to add to the list!
For more information, check out my complete guide on shopping in Madrid, or discover the best way to spend Christmas in Madrid!
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products and experiences I genuinely love.
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