You must admit that the Canary Islands are associated with warm waves, bright sunshine and clean white sand beaches. However, this is not all that travelers who first visited the islands can expect. Reviews of tourists about shopping in Tenerife are extremely enthusiastic, especially during the season of sales and huge discounts, and all due to the fact that on a volcanic island the prices of goods are much lower than Russian ones. To make a profitable trip to shopping, remember: the winter sale lasts from January 7 to March 6, and the summer pleases from July 1 to August 31.
Recommendations
First of all, remember that Tenerife is a Spanish territory, which means that a siesta rules here, so when you go shopping from 12:00 to 15:00, you run the risk of not closed shop windows full of clothes, but closed doors. Fortunately, this rule has not been extended to large shopping centers for a long time.
Secondly, in order to avoid problems at the customs control, always keep the checks that are issued after payment for the purchase, especially if it concerns exotic, large-sized or expensive local souvenirs.
Thirdly, many cases were recorded when purchases had to be made out. In general, shopping in Tenerife is not a problem, and the declaration requirements are very sparing. Goods priced up to 200 euros (14,500 rubles) and weighing no more than 500 kg are declared orally. Purchases up to 1,000 euros (74,700 rubles) must be made out only in writing, and you also have to pay 20% of the total cost to the Spanish treasury. And finally, it is necessary to draw up a cargo declaration for those whose purchases cost more than 1000 euros and weigh from 200 kg.
El Corte Inglés: commercial flagship
El Cort Ingles is the largest center on the whole island, and tourists in their reviews of shopping in Tenerife recommend starting shopping from this place. The 10-story building houses several hundred stores with a wide range and a large number of world brands. At El Corte Inglés you can buy not only clothes, but also electronics, perfumes, jewelry, leather goods, shoes, goods for children and much more.
For your convenience and saving time, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the plan of the shopping center (presented in a table).
| Floor | Departments |
| S1 | Tires, pet accessories, tobacco and flowers |
| SS | Confectionery, supermarket (you can buy ready-made meals) |
| IN | Perfumes, jewelry, watches |
| 1 | Fur products, corsets and underwear |
| 2 | Electronics, clothing and accessories for men, everything for travel |
| 3 | Luxury brands for men and women, children's departments |
| 4 | Shoes and sportswear for teens |
| 5 | Goods for various sports, fishing, the beach, rollers, bicycles, household appliances, jewelry and gifts |
| 6 | Home textiles, art gallery, carpets, lighting, furniture |
| 7 | Video games, cinema, bookstores, CDs |
If you want to get a discount card, go up to floor B and do not forget your passport. Please note: this service is available only to citizens who do not live on the island.
Address: Av. Tres de Mayo, 7.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 21:30.
South Tenerife: shopping in the best shopping centers
To save time, we’ll talk about each outlet. So, let's go:
1. Gran Sur. Until recently, tourists considered this shopping center almost the only normal place for shopping in Tenerife. Now, against the background of the new Gran Sur stores, it looks somewhat outdated: about 10 brand boutiques, a sex shop, goods for the smallest, accessories, a cinema, shoe and clothing repair shops, optics, a pharmacy and a Chinese buffet Sr. Wang with unlimited food for only 7 euros (520 rubles).
2. Plaza del Duque opened relatively recently. Its location in the elite resort area explains the presence of high price tags (except for budget brands except Mango). A full list of brands can be found on the official website of the shopping center, and believe me, the quantity is impressive. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
3. Siam Mall, whose doors are open 365 days a year, was built next to the water park of the same name. Calzedonia, Oysho, Svarovski, Zara Home, Massimo Dutti is far from a complete list of brands that can be found in the Siam Mall building. By the way, only here is the largest H&M with the only department of household goods on the whole island. Schedule: every day from 9:00 to 22:00.
Hunt for discounts at Safari
Centro Comersial Safari is located opposite the Piramide de Arona Concert Hall, which hosts the most spectacular and famous flamenco show in Tenerife. Shopping here is attractive because in one building there are shops of the most famous brands of clothing, shoes, jewelry and perfumes. Nearby, literally within walking distance, there are several more outlets. For example, on the left is the Zara and Springfield boutique, and on the right is everyone’s favorite Bershka. In the latter, by the way, there is a male department. True, in size and assortment it is three times smaller than the female, but is it really a minus? Walk along the street only once and understand if you need to go shopping at other points.
Opening hours of Centro Comersial Safari: daily from 10:00 to 22:00.
Address: Avenida las Américas, 5.
Shopping in and around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz Carrefour or Añaza Carrefour - attracts many tourists. The main advantage of the shopping center is that you do not have to get confused and spin around the streets of the capital. Just turn onto the Alliance and you will see a huge building with a decent selection of shops, from the budget H&M to the Sport Zone. The only drawback is the lack of modernity. There are not enough elevators at all, on the escalators the local population does not know how to line up on the right side. It’s immediately clear that there is no metro on the island! Schedule: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 22:00.
Calle del Castillo is another beautiful (in every sense of the word) shopping place in Santa Cruz Tenerife. Russian tourists called it "Tenerife Arbat". Indeed, Caye del Castillo is a pedestrian street with an incredible number of branded shops and boutiques. The advantage of the place is that you are not limited by the shopping center, but just walk, enjoy the fresh air and at the same time make pleasant purchases. Minus - it is impossible to find free parking, and also a "favorite" siesta, thanks to which many outlets are closed for 3 hours.
La Laguna and North
La Villa + El Trompo - two shopping centers located between La Orotava Puerto de la Cruz. They are so different, but still together. "La Villa" with the official website is in full order, so you can easily track the range of branded items. But the “El Trompo” has nothing to do. We’ll say with confidence that there are definitely Kiabi, Merkal Calzados, JYSK furniture and the Mango outlet. Schedule: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00.
Alcampo La Laguna can rightly be called a paradise of shopaholics. What kind of goods and brands are not here:
- clothes (H&M and C&A as much as 2 floors);
- linen;
- cosmetics and related products;
- gaming machines;
- sporting goods;
- cinema;
- buffet;
- bags;
- accessories;
- Alcampo supermarket
- Products for children.
If this doesn’t seem enough, then take a walk to the Parque Comercial La Laguna, where you will find Decathlon, Ciabi, Leroy Merlin, Conforama and many more. Nearby is also the El Cort Ingles sales store, which will surprise you with the low prices of branded polos.
Alcampo La Laguna is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00.
But what about the Outlet center?
Shopping in outlets of Tenerife is a separate topic of conversation. Well, where else can you find so many brands offering their products at such nice prices? For example, the Galeón Outlet recently opened on the island. He, according to tourists, is interested in a non-standard set of boutiques for Spain with really low price tags. Home products can be found at Desigual / Geox, Fifty Factory, and JYSK. We recommend that pet owners come to Koala, and if you are looking for optics, then visit Multiópticas.
Galleon is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Getting here is very easy: drive towards Adeje, and after the 79th exit from TF-1, pay attention to the poles, each of which will have signs to the Galeón Outlet. By the way, there are no problems with parking.
Souvenirs Guía de Isora
What do tourists bring from Tenerife as a gift? These are wines, cigars, ceramics, goat cheese and, of course, pearl products. Palm honey is no less popular among foreigners. You can buy souvenirs in the markets, including flea markets. In addition to the listed products, you can find interesting handmade items and antiques. By the way, the markets are mainly focused on local residents, so you have the opportunity to purchase inexpensive fruits, vegetables and handicrafts.
If during shopping in Tenerife there will be an opportunity to allocate a couple of hours for the purchase of souvenirs, we recommend to go to the city of Gia de Sora. Only 20 km from the capital - and you will find a huge souvenir shop with very nice price tags. Here you can find everything you want: jewelry from olivine, natural cosmetics from aloe vera, hand embroidery, textiles and much more.
For pearls, you should go directly to the factory located in Tenerife, or visit the chain of stores Tenerife Pearl, which presents rare specimens. In addition, for a fee, you can try your luck and independently catch shells from special aquariums. Obtained pearls right before your eyes will turn into a piece of jewelry. Great, isn't it?
Please note that the assortment on the island is significantly different from the mainland. If you are accustomed to an abundance of European sales, then here everything will seem scarce to you. Many tourists relate to this more simply and are not upset over trifles, because the main plus is the low prices for luxury brands and middle-class brands.
We are starting to save up money for the winter sale and bienvenido in Tenerife!