Madrid: Shopping Holiday

El Corte Inglés is Spain's best known chain of department stores, and they are so big they could almost be counted as districts of their own - plus they sell anything. Many try and shop in the independent and smaller shops, as they are more interesting and El Corte Inglés is renowned for its convenience. Ortega y Gasset is the classy district, where the likes of Victoria Beckham and the other footballers' wives go shopping in Madrid. Not far away, you'll find ABC Serrano, a three floor shopping mall with some of Europe's most expensive clothing outlets, so be prepared for some big price labels.

For cheaper shopping head to the fantastic and charming weekend flea market, El Rastro. It is even better for people watching and bargain hunting. All in all, a shopping holiday in Madrid isn't really for those on a tight budget but there are bargains to be had in the markets and chain department stores - as well as women's clothes shops like Mango.