10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Alicante

Plaza Calvo Sotelo is a cute little inner-city square in Alicante that’s surrounded by a broad range of stores. Jewellery fans should hit Amaya, which stocks shimmering watches from luxe designers like Chanel, Gucci, and Patek Philippe. Those with a sweet tooth will prefer Tienda Fini for its technicoloured range of pick-and-mix candies. If you need new shoes, take a stroll down Calle Girona.

In between shopping, take a moment to rest in the traditional Spanish-style plaza. Big leafy trees, ample seating, and a kids’ playground make it a great place to linger. As the plaza area is in the city centre, you could combine Plaza Calvo Sotelo with other sightseeing or shopping escapades.

Calle San Francisco is Alicante’s primary pedestrian strip, connecting Plaza Calvo Sotelo to Plaza Portal de Elche. The bustling thoroughfare enchants passersby with its painted yellow bricks and massive fairytale-like mushrooms. It’s a whimsical scene that appeals to young and old.

While most wander down here to dine, the strip also hosts a broad range of boutique stores. From toy shops to tobacconists and cut-price fashion outlets, you’ll find a few interesting places to browse. Although San Fransisco doesn’t have the widest variety in Alicante, the street sure is atmospheric.

Rambla Mendez Nunez is one of Alicante’s most celebrated streets. A multitude of stores lines the bustling strip, from chic boutiques to big-name outlets. A lesser-known local favourite is Ale-Hop, which flogs an assortment of oddities and everyday wares–it’s a great place for gift shopping.

Bodega Bernardino has over 5,000 regional and imported varieties if you need to stock up on wine. At the top end of the strip, you’ll find the city’s Central Market, famous for its fresh fruit and produce. Don’t plan your La Rambla shopping trip during Alicante’s festivals. The strip, which connects the port with Avenida Alfonso El Sabio, serves as the focal point for parades.

El Barrio, east of La Rambla, is Alicante’s Old Town and home to a small selection of stores. Its quaint historic streets house establishments like tobacconists, adult shops, and florists – quite an unusual mix.

The charming district is a quick detour from La Rambla and has a plethora of impressive tourist sites. While you’re there, pop into the beaux arts-inspired Casa Carbonell, a lavish residential mansion from the 1920s. El Barrio gets pretty busy with hungry locals on weekends as it’s primarily a dining and entertainment district.

Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2 is the biggest and most popular mall in Alicante. The sprawling 2-floor shopping centre has a vast range of speciality stores, spanning optical to pet goods and home furnishings. A well-stocked food court sells fresh flavours from Alicante and beyond.

Its imposing glass arched ceiling lets sunlight flood the mall, making it a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. If you’ve got time to kill, the 16-screen multi-cinema shows all the latest blockbusters plus independent Spanish films. Combine your trip with a hike up Mount Benacantil or beach bumming on Playa Postiguet. Both reside nearby.

Mercat Central d'Alacant, or Mercado Central, is Alicante’s main produce market. The long-running market lures a loyal contingent of fresh food-seeking locals, who come to buy fruit, vegetables, meats, and oven-baked bread. There’s also a sizeable seafood section, but you’ll need to rock up early to snag the best fish.

Whether you need any groceries or not, it’s worth popping in to experience a traditional Spanish marketplace. Over 300 stalls compete side-by-side, creating an electric and authentic market atmosphere. Also, the enormous clay brick warehouse-style building has become a local landmark. Keep an eye out for the stunning spherical dome rotunda on its facade. 

Centro Comercial Gran Vía is a sizeable modern mall located a 10-minute drive east of central Alicante. Gran Via lures more locals than tourists as it’s not within walking distance to any attractions. There’s plenty of parking available.

Over 100 shops lie scattered throughout the glimmering 2-storey mall, selling everything from electrical goods to toys and fashion accessories. Bargain hunters should hit Primark for cut-price apparel. The perennially popular discount shop gets super busy, so arrive around lunchtime to beat the crowds.

El Corte Ingles is Spain’s top department store chain, with 2 branches on Alicante’s Avenida Maisonnave. El Corte Inglés Alacant Edifici Moda is your go-to locale for fashion and accessories, stocking a wide range of luxury apparel brands. The other branch, which sits closer to the historic centre, sells electronics, household goods, and groceries.

Check out Supermercado El Corte Ingles if you need locally grown foodstuffs like olive oil and wine. The Plaza Calvo Sotelo district sits a hop and a skip away if you fancy extending your Alicante shopping spree.

Mercat Del Riurau is a charming Sunday farmers’ market located about an hour east of Alicante. The authentic and down-to-earth weekly event offers a relaxed, family-friendly environment with a solid selection of stalls. While fresh local produce is the bestseller highlight, you’ll also find antique furniture and artisanal wares.

Bakers hawk hot-out-of-the-oven pastries and other assorted Spanish snacks. Local bands play live music around lunchtime, best accompanied by a glass of craft beer or wine. While it’s a long way from Alicante, Mercat Del Riurau is a worthy Sunday side trip for anyone exploring the coast around Dénia.

Mercat Municipal de Carolines is a small neighbourhood produce market about a 5-minute drive northeast of downtown Alicante. This lovely little local market resides in the Carolines district and attracts a steady stream of locals for its range of high-quality produce. On Thursday and Saturday, a lively clothing and vegetable market spills out onto the surrounding streets.

The market is famous for its high-quality meats, including a premium selection of dry-aged cuts and succulent, acorn-fed pork. If you’re hungry, grab a Spanish potato omelette from the vendors at the entrance – they’re as good as a tortilla can get.