The Trendiest Stores Near La Puerta Del Sol

The area around one of Madrid‘s most famous plazas, la Puerta del Sol, is filled with restaurants, bars, monuments, cafés and best of all, plenty of shopping opportunities. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, clothes, jewelry or even gourmet foods, you’ll be able to find whatever you need within walking distance from Sol. Here’s a guide to some of the best shops in the area.

The Nest

Shop

Just a short walk from Sol, this funky shop has a charming collection of stationery, jewelry, home decor and gift items. You can find notebooks with mustaches on them or whimsical greeting cards featuring vintage photos, or quirky items like clocks and toys for kids. The owner of The Nest Boutique speaks English and Spanish and knows many of the customers by name, proving this shop is a favorite with Madrid’s local set.

Herself

Store

Herself offers the latest in women’s fashion, all with a hipster, youthful flair. Perusing their maxi dresses, crop-tops and boots, you might think the prices would be high-end boutique level, but the shop is actually very affordable, and you won’t see anyone back home with the same spring jacket or t-shirt, as designs are one-of-a-kind.

Mango outlet

Store

You can find Mango shops all over Madrid, but there’s only a few hidden outlets around the city. Head to the back of the regular Mango shop on Fuencarral Street and walk downstairs. Surprise! There lies a huge, wide-open outlet, featuring Mango clothes with slashed prices. Find dresses, trousers, tops, accessories and more here. Try not to visit at peak times if you want to avoid the crowds.

La Hija de Caín

For trendy silver jewelry, accessories and that perfect dress to wear for an evening out on the town, step into La Hija de Caín, just short walk away from the Puerta del Sol. The boutique is small but well-curated. The purses and scarves make for great gifts to take home to loved ones.

El Corte Inglés

Store

The one and only true department store in Madrid, El Corte Inglés has everything under the sun. There’s plenty of branches around Madrid, including a few right near Sol. Whereas this store has many locations and isn’t a boutique in the least, it can really be a lifesaver if you’ve forgotten to pack a pair of gloves and you find yourself touring the city center with cold hands, or you need some sunblock on a particularly hot day. The best part? While may smaller shops are closed on Sundays, you can always count on El Corte Inglés to be open.

Curiosite

Shop

Without a doubt, this shop is the best place to buy a gift for that person who’s impossible to buy for. Filled with strange and random items like a basketball hoop wastebasket, weird fridge magnets, a pillow shaped like a leg of ham, and plenty of odd toys and quirky electronics, Curiosite is a lot of fun to browse even if you don’t end up purchasing anything.

Ferpal

Store

Trendy may not be the right word for Ferpal, but it’s certainly the place to go if you want to purchase some ham or cheese to take home to family and friends (or to munch on during your flight home). You can always buy these items at a grocery store, but visiting this family-owned shop, which dates back to 1971, is like a lesson in Spanish deli foods—the variety of meats and cheeses you’ll discover is astounding.

La Cure Gourmande

Shop

If you’re looking to buy fancy gourmet products like candy or cookies, this store is the one for you. The shopping experience itself is bright and fun, thanks to the vibrant yellow shop decor and French feel. If you love an artfully decorated box, La Cure Gourmande has you covered. The chocolate olives seem to be a fan favorite here.

El Rastro

Market

While this isn’t a specific shop, the Rastro flea market, which takes place every Sunday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m, is the place to go to if you’re looking for cheap jewelry, antiques and handmade leather goods. Get there early to avoid the crowds, but make sure to hang on to your valuables here, as pick-pocketing is common.