Few stretches of Mediterranean coastline offer the sheer variety of shopping experiences that you’ll find along the Costa Blanca. From the buzz of a Tuesday morning street market spilling across a sun-drenched plaza, to the air-conditioned calm of a world-class shopping centre, to a winding village lane lined with hand-woven baskets and hand-thrown ceramics — shopping on the Costa Blanca is an experience in itself, not just an errand.
Whether you’re a holidaymaker hunting for the perfect souvenir, an expat stocking up on local produce, or a dedicated shopper with designer labels in mind, this coastline delivers on every level. The choices range from the polished boutiques of Alicante city to the lively market towns of the northern Costa Blanca, with plenty of bargains, beauty, and local character in between.
As part of our wider Costa Blanca Travel Guide – The Ultimate Resource, this guide focuses specifically on everything retail and market-related across the region. We’ll take you through the best towns for shopping, the most rewarding markets, the standout malls, and the authentic crafts that make this corner of Spain so memorable. Throughout the article, you’ll find links to deeper, dedicated guides on every topic — so you can plan your shopping adventures in as much detail as you like.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Why the Costa Blanca Is a Shopper’s Paradise
The Costa Blanca stretches roughly 200 kilometres along the southeastern coast of Spain, encompassing everything from the cosmopolitan energy of Alicante in the south to the quieter, more rural charm of Denia in the north. That geographic breadth translates directly into an extraordinary range of shopping environments.
In a single week, you could browse hand-painted tiles at an artisan stall in a hilltop village, pick up a designer handbag on a gleaming high street, fill a basket at a fragrant outdoor mercado, and hunt for vintage furniture at a weekend rastro. Few destinations on the Spanish coast — or indeed in Europe — can match that variety.
The region’s shopping culture reflects its character perfectly: warmly Spanish, yet cosmopolitan. International brands sit comfortably alongside family-run local shops that have traded from the same premises for generations. Modern outlet villages draw bargain hunters from across the country, while sleepy inland villages attract travellers specifically seeking the kind of handmade goods that simply can’t be found anywhere else.
For a full overview of the region’s finest weekly and seasonal markets, the dedicated guide to the Best Markets on the Costa Blanca is the ideal starting point for market lovers planning their itinerary.
Shopping in Alicante City
Alicante is unquestionably the shopping capital of the Costa Blanca. As the region’s largest city and a major provincial hub, it offers a retail experience that rivals many larger Spanish cities — with the added bonus of a stunning harbour backdrop and a relaxed Mediterranean pace of life.
The heart of Alicante’s shopping scene is the pedestrianised city centre, where streets such as Avenida de la Constitución, Calle Mayor, and the area around El Corte Inglés draw steady streams of shoppers throughout the day. Here you’ll find a satisfying mix of Spanish high street names, international chains, independent boutiques, and specialist food shops — all within easy walking distance of one another.
The Explanada de España, Alicante’s famous palm-lined promenade, is not just a scenic spot for an evening stroll — it’s also home to small artisan stalls and pop-up markets that run throughout the summer months, selling everything from handmade jewellery to local artwork.
For shoppers who prefer a more curated, upmarket experience, the area around Gran Vía is where Alicante shifts into a higher gear entirely. Luxury brands, designer boutiques, and premium homeware stores draw a well-heeled local and international clientele, making this one of the most rewarding streets on the entire coast for serious shoppers.
Our Alicante Shopping Guide covers every corner of the city’s retail scene in detail, from neighbourhood market days to the best streets for independent fashion. For luxury brands and high-end retail specifically, don’t miss the dedicated guide to Gran Via Alicante Shopping, which explores the city’s most prestigious shopping corridor in full.
Shopping in Benidorm
Benidorm has a reputation that precedes it — and its shopping scene is no different. Lively, colourful, and unapologetically tourist-friendly, Benidorm’s retail landscape is tailor-made for visitors who want to browse at their leisure, pick up holiday essentials, and find a decent souvenir without having to work too hard for it.
The Old Town (Casco Antiguo) is the most rewarding area for shopping in Benidorm. Its narrow cobbled lanes are lined with independent shops selling ceramic pieces, fans, local spirits, beach accessories, and a surprisingly eclectic range of clothing. It’s a pleasant contrast to the more commercial strips closer to the beach hotels.
Market days are a highlight of the Benidorm shopping calendar. The town hosts a well-attended outdoor market on Wednesdays and Sundays, where traders from across the province set up stalls selling everything from fresh produce and olives to leather belts, shoes, and souvenir textiles. Arriving early — before 10am — is strongly recommended if you want the best selection and the best prices.
The resort also has several larger retail parks on its outskirts, catering to the practical needs of the large expat community in the surrounding area. These are useful for household goods, electronics, and branded clothing, though they lack the character of the town centre and market days.
Heading to Benidorm? Our Benidorm Shopping Guide has everything you need to know, from the best market days to the top spots for souvenirs.
Shopping in Denia & the Northern Costa Blanca
The further north you travel along the Costa Blanca, the more the shopping experience shifts in tone. Denia, the northern gateway to the region and a charming port town in its own right, has cultivated a retail identity built on quality over quantity — boutique fashion, artisan food, local crafts, and weekly markets that feel genuinely rooted in Spanish provincial life.
Denia’s Calle Marques de Campo — the main pedestrianised shopping street — is lined with independent shops, delicatessens, and boutiques that reward an unhurried browse. You’ll find quality leather goods, Spanish fashion labels, locally produced wines and preserves, and a selection of artisan ceramics that speak to the wider craft culture of this part of Valencia province.
The town’s Tuesday and Thursday markets are among the most authentic in the northern Costa Blanca, drawing local farmers, food producers, and craft sellers alongside the usual mix of clothing and household goods traders. The Saturday market near the harbour area is particularly popular in summer.
The surrounding villages — Jávea (Xàbia), Calpe, and Altea — each have their own weekly market days and small independent shopping scenes worth exploring. Altea, in particular, is beloved for its art galleries, craft workshops, and independent boutiques, making it a must-visit for shoppers with an eye for something genuinely original.
Explore boutiques, markets, and more in our Denia Shopping Guide, which covers the town and surrounding northern villages in full.
Shopping Centres & Malls on the Costa Blanca
When the sun is too fierce for outdoor browsing — or when you simply want the full range of international brands under one roof — the Costa Blanca’s shopping centres and retail parks more than deliver. The region has invested heavily in its commercial retail infrastructure over the past two decades, and the result is a collection of malls that compare favourably with anything in mainland Europe.
La Zenia Boulevard, located near Orihuela Costa in the southern Costa Blanca, is widely regarded as the region’s premier open-air shopping destination. With over 150 stores spread across a beautifully designed open mall, it combines the convenience of a traditional shopping centre with the pleasant atmosphere of an outdoor retail village. Zara, H&M, Primark, El Corte Inglés, Mango, Pull&Bear, and dozens of restaurants and cafés are all represented here, making it a genuinely full-day destination rather than a quick stop.
Further along the coast, Gran Via Alicante (referenced earlier in its retail context) and the El Corte Inglés department store in Alicante city remain anchor destinations for shoppers visiting the provincial capital. The Panoramis shopping and leisure centre in Alicante, situated right on the waterfront, combines shopping with cinema, dining, and harbour views.
In the Benidorm area, the Marina Greenwich retail park and Parque Comercial La Marina both serve the central Costa Blanca’s considerable commercial appetite, with a broad mix of Spanish and international retailers.
For a complete list and guide to every major mall in the region, visit our Best Shopping Centres Costa Blanca page. La Zenia Boulevard deserves a visit of its own — read our full La Zenia Boulevard Guide to plan your trip and make the most of a day there.
Designer & Luxury Shopping on the Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca may be best known for its markets and outlet centres, but there’s a quietly sophisticated side to the region’s retail scene that caters confidently to shoppers with more discerning tastes.
Alicante city is the natural hub for designer and luxury shopping. The area around Gran Vía and the Rambla de Méndez Núñez is home to a collection of upmarket boutiques carrying Spanish and international designer labels, premium leather goods, high-end jewellery, and luxury homeware. Several international brands — including Loewe, Boss, and Massimo Dutti — have a strong presence here, reflecting Alicante’s status as a genuinely affluent provincial city.
Beyond Alicante, Denia and Jávea both have a sprinkling of design-led boutiques and jewellery shops that appeal to the well-travelled, quality-conscious visitor. These are smaller, more personal shopping experiences than you’d find in the city, but often all the more rewarding for it.
For the full guide to luxury and designer retail in the region — including where to find specific brands and the best streets for upmarket browsing — see Designer Shopping Costa Blanca.
Outlet Shopping & Bargain Hunters
Spain has embraced the outlet shopping concept with considerable enthusiasm, and the Costa Blanca is no exception. For visitors and expats alike, outlet centres offer the appeal of branded goods at genuinely reduced prices — often 30–70% below standard retail prices — in a comfortable, organised shopping environment.
The most accessible outlet destination for Costa Blanca visitors is the Las Atalayas retail and outlet zone near Alicante, which houses a collection of factory stores and branded outlets alongside larger retail warehouses. The Dos Mares shopping centre, situated just across the regional border near San Javier, is another popular outlet-style destination within easy reach of the southern Costa Blanca.
Outlet shopping is particularly popular with the region’s large expat community, many of whom make regular trips to stock up on branded clothing, footwear, and homewares at prices that feel pleasingly favourable compared to equivalent UK or northern European retailers.
For the timing-conscious shopper, visiting during the January or July rebajas (Spain’s national sales periods) can turn an already good deal into an exceptional one. Discover where to find the best bargains in our Outlet Shopping near Alicante guide.
Local Crafts & Artisan Souvenirs
If there is one area where shopping on the Costa Blanca truly sets itself apart from other Spanish coastal destinations, it is the remarkable richness of its local craft tradition. This is a region where artisan skills have been passed down through generations, and where the distinction between a souvenir and a genuine work of craft is often meaningfully clear.
The most celebrated craft material in this part of Spain is esparto grass — a tough, flexible plant fibre that has been woven into baskets, bags, mats, hats, and decorative pieces by local craftspeople for centuries. Alongside esparto work, the region has strong traditions in wicker and cane weaving, hand-painted ceramics, embroidered textiles, and leather goods — all of which can be found at markets and specialist shops along the coast.
Ceramics deserve a special mention. The Valencia region as a whole has a distinguished ceramic heritage, and the Costa Blanca reflects this proudly. Hand-painted tiles, decorative plates, pitchers, and bowls — many featuring traditional geometric patterns or Mediterranean motifs — make for some of the most beautiful and practical souvenirs you can bring home. Look for pieces stamped or labelled as artesanía (artisan-made) rather than mass-produced imports.
For the most concentrated and rewarding craft shopping experience on the entire Costa Blanca, one destination stands above all others: Gata de Gorgos. This small inland village, located a short drive from Denia and Jávea, is famous throughout Spain — and increasingly well known internationally — for its extraordinary concentration of wicker, basket, and cane shops. The village’s main street is lined almost entirely with workshop-shops where you can watch craftspeople at work and purchase everything from enormous market baskets to delicate woven jewellery boxes. Prices are extremely reasonable, and the quality is exceptional.
Browse our full Local Crafts & Souvenirs Guide for tips on finding authentic handmade goods across the region, and read our dedicated Gata de Gorgos Wicker & Baskets guide before you visit — it’s an experience that genuinely shouldn’t be missed by anyone with an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.
What to Buy in Spain – The Best Souvenirs from the Costa Blanca
Choosing the right souvenir is an art form in itself. The Costa Blanca offers an abundance of options — some genuinely special, others better left on the shelf. Here is a curated list of the things most worth bringing home, whether as personal mementos or gifts for people back home.
Food & Drink
- Local wine — The DO Alicante designation covers some excellent red and white wines, including the distinctive Fondillón, a rare aged wine unique to the Alicante region
- Extra virgin olive oil — Look for oils produced from local Blanqueta or Manzanilla olives; beautifully packaged bottles make perfect gifts
- Saffron (azafrán) — Spanish saffron is among the finest in the world; buy it loose or in small presentation tins from food markets and delicatessens
- Turron — The almond-based nougat made in nearby Jijona and Alicante is one of Spain’s most iconic food products; widely available year-round, not just at Christmas
- Marcona almonds — Grown extensively in the Alicante province, these are richer and softer than most almonds; available roasted, salted, or coated in chocolate
Crafts & Gifts
- Hand-painted ceramics — Tiles, plates, and decorative pieces featuring traditional Spanish designs
- Wicker and esparto baskets — Particularly from Gata de Gorgos (see above)
- Leather goods — Belts, bags, wallets, and sandals made from quality Spanish leather
- Abanico (hand fan) — A classic Spanish gift; look for hand-painted wooden fans rather than mass-produced plastic versions
- Handmade jewellery — Silver and semi-precious stone pieces from artisan market stalls
Not sure what to bring home or looking for inspiration beyond this list? Our guide to What to Buy in Spain will help you make the most of your shopping time and budget.
Food Markets & Mercados on the Costa Blanca
Few things capture the spirit of everyday Spanish life quite as vividly as a visit to a local mercado. The sights, sounds, and smells of a Costa Blanca food market — ripe tomatoes stacked in pyramids, whole legs of jamón ibérico hanging from hooks, great bowls of manzanilla and gordal olives gleaming under canvas awnings, and the warm, yeasty smell of fresh-baked bread drifting from a nearby panadería stall — are experiences that linger long after you’ve returned home.
Most towns along the Costa Blanca have a covered municipal market (mercado municipal) that operates daily from early morning until early afternoon, six days a week. Alicante’s Mercado Central, housed in a striking early twentieth-century building in the heart of the city, is one of the finest examples in the region — a genuinely beautiful space that is as much worth visiting for its architecture as its produce.
Weekly outdoor markets tend to have a broader mix of goods, combining fresh food with clothing, plants, household goods, and crafts. But the dedicated food sections of these markets are invariably the most atmospheric part — particularly in the mornings, when local producers arrive with seasonal vegetables, handmade cheeses, cured meats, fresh fish, and homemade preserves.
For visitors staying in self-catering accommodation, a morning at the local mercado is one of the great pleasures of a Costa Blanca holiday. From daily indoor markets to weekly farmers’ markets, our Food Markets & Mercados guide covers them all — with specific recommendations by town and area.
Antiques, Flea Markets & Second-Hand Finds
The Costa Blanca has a lively and rewarding rastro (flea market) culture that is well worth exploring, particularly for visitors who enjoy the thrill of an unexpected find among a sea of eclectic goods.
Rastros — Spain’s beloved version of the flea market — typically take place on weekend mornings and draw a wonderfully mixed crowd of traders, collectors, and curious browsers. You’re as likely to find a 1970s ceramic lamp, a stack of vintage Spanish film posters, or a beautifully worn leather satchel as you are a tray of mismatched cutlery or second-hand novels. That unpredictability is precisely the appeal.
Alicante hosts one of the most popular rastros in the region, drawing significant crowds on Sunday mornings. In the central Costa Blanca, Benidorm and the surrounding towns host their own periodic flea market events, particularly during the winter months when the resident expat population swells considerably.
For antique lovers specifically, the towns of Orihuela and Elche — both a short drive inland from the coast — have established antique dealers and periodic antique fairs that attract serious collectors from across the region.
A few practical tips for rastro shopping: arrive early, carry cash (most stalls don’t accept cards), and don’t be shy about politely negotiating on price — it is entirely expected and part of the culture.
Uncover the Costa Blanca’s best rastros and antique fairs in our Antiques & Flea Markets guide, which includes a full calendar of regular events and the best spots for specific types of finds.
Christmas Markets on the Costa Blanca
The idea of a Christmas market on the Costa Blanca might seem at odds with the region’s sun-soaked image, but the festive season here is genuinely magical — and the Christmas shopping scene is far more vibrant than many visitors expect.
Alicante city transforms in December, with a spectacular Christmas market taking over the Explanada de España and surrounding streets. Wooden stalls sell handmade ornaments, seasonal ceramics, artisan gifts, local sweets, and the kind of festive food and mulled wine that makes cold-weather browsing entirely worthwhile — even when the temperature rarely dips below a very pleasant 15 degrees.
Benidorm leans enthusiastically into the festive season, with Christmas markets, light displays, and seasonal events that reflect the town’s large Northern European visitor and resident population. The atmosphere is cheerful and convivial, and the markets tend to stay open well into the evening.
Across the northern Costa Blanca, towns such as Denia, Jávea, and Calpe all host their own smaller Christmas markets and seasonal craft fairs, many of which offer a more intimate and local feel than the larger resort town events.
For everything you need to know about festive shopping — including dates, locations, and what to expect — visit our Christmas Markets Costa Blanca guide before you travel.
Practical Shopping Tips for the Costa Blanca
A little local knowledge goes a long way when shopping in Spain. Here’s what every visitor should know before they head out:
Opening Hours
- Most shops open Monday to Saturday, 10am–2pm, then close for a few hours before reopening 5pm–8:30pm
- The siesta closure is less strictly observed in larger towns and malls, but smaller independent shops — particularly inland — still follow it
- Shopping centres and supermarkets typically operate continuous hours, 10am–10pm
- Many shops are closed on Sundays, though tourist areas and larger malls are often an exception
Market Days
- Most towns have a designated weekly market day — check locally or consult our dedicated market guides for specific schedules
- Arrive early (before 10am) for the best selection, freshest produce, and most cooperative traders
Bargaining
- Fixed-price retail shops do not negotiate — it’s not expected or appropriate
- At markets, rastros, and artisan stalls, polite negotiation is perfectly acceptable, particularly if buying multiple items
- A friendly approach in basic Spanish will always be well received
Payment
- Card payments are widely accepted in shops and malls, but many market stalls are cash only
- Carry a reasonable amount of euros in cash when visiting markets
VAT Refunds
- Non-EU visitors may be entitled to a VAT refund (IVA devolution) on purchases over a certain threshold — ask for a Tax Free form at participating shops and process your refund at the airport before departure
Seasonal Sales – Rebajas
- Spain’s major sales periods are January (post-Christmas) and July (post-summer) — known as the rebajas
- Discounts are genuine and substantial; these are excellent times to shop for clothing, footwear, and homewares
Packing Tips
- If you’re planning to buy ceramics, wicker goods, or glass items, pack a small quantity of bubble wrap or soft clothing to protect fragile purchases on the journey home
- Most artisan shops will also wrap delicate items carefully if you ask
The Costa Blanca Has It All — Time to Start Exploring
Shopping on the Costa Blanca is, at its best, an extension of everything that makes this stretch of Spanish coastline so enduringly appealing: warmth, variety, authenticity, and a pace of life that encourages you to slow down, look properly, and enjoy the moment.
Whether you find yourself haggling cheerfully at a Tuesday morning street market, selecting a beautifully painted ceramic dish from a family workshop in Gata de Gorgos, browsing designer boutiques along Alicante’s Gran Vía, or picking up a kilo of freshly roasted Marcona almonds at a bustling mercado — every shopping experience here tells you something true about the region and the people who call it home.