An estimated 50,000 stores sell everything from high-fashion clothing to flamenco guitars to art and ceramics. Here you'll find several kinds of stores: Antiques, Fashions for Men and Wimen, Food Markets, Herbalists, books stores and more. The best time to shop in Madrid is during the winter and summer sales (rebajas) in January-February and July-August respectively, when bargains (gangas) abound and prices are often slashed by 50% or more. Keep in mind that the best bargains are usually clothes and shoes.

A walk along calle Mayor, which goes from the Palacio Real to the Puerta del Sol, is full of shops of every type. This route is definitely recommended. In the same way, the Barrio de Salamanca, is one of Madrid's most exclusive areas where the most expensive designer shops, art studios, hotels and residences are located. If you enjoy "window-shopping " you must stroll along the streets Serrano, Velazquez and Claudio Coello.

The most elegant and expensive area in Madrid is located in the eastern Salamanca district, bounded roughly by Serrano, Juan Bravo, Jorge Juan (and its blind alleys), and Vel�zquez; the shops on Goya extend as far as Alcal�. Excellent shoes are available, some highly fashionable. But be advised that prices for shoes and quality clothing are generally higher in Madrid than in the United States.

Shopping hours

Usual opening hours for Department stores, hypermarkets and many supermarkets are from around 09.30 or 10.00, until between 20.00 and 22.00 from Monday to Saturday. Large stores may open on a maximum of 12 Sundays and public holidays (festivos) a year. The majority of small shops open from between 08.00 and 09.30 until between 13.00 and 14.00 and from around 17.00 until between 19.30 and 21.00, Monday to Friday, and from 10.00 until 14.00 on Saturdays.

In Madrid there are 24-hour, American-style, drugstores comprising a supermarket, cafeteria, tobacconists and restaurant. Some shops close for the whole of August, when everyone is on holiday. There are two chains of late-night shops (Vip's and 7 Eleven) that stay open into the small hours and on Sundays.

Crafts and miscellaneous

Books, comics and maps

Fashion: clothes and shoes

Food and drink