Madrid Authentic Shopping Guide

Local handicrafts and artisanal items to pick up on your trip

Artisan Products
Expat-run specialty shop At Spain offers some of Spain’s most exclusive handmade products—carved olive wood bowls and utensils, wool blankets made following 18th-century techniques in the Andalusian village of Grazalema. Gran Vía, 57, 10; tel. 34 915 475 091. www.atspain.com

Designer Shoes
“For shoe addicts only! Top Spanish shoe designers sell their discounted wares in the dozens of muestrarios (sample shops) located all along Calle Augusto Figueroa.” — Genevieve McCarthy, director, Cellar Tours, Madrid-based luxury wine tour company. Located in trendy Chueca. C/Augusto Figueroa.

Espadrilles
Espadrilles are to Spanish summers what flip-flops are to the beach; the Hernanz family has made these ultra-comfy classics for over a century; line up at the 19th-century wooden counter and order by size and color. Casa Hernanz, C/Toledo, 18; tel. 34 913 665 450.

Fans
Since 1858, family-owned Casa de Diego has provided Madrid’s most fashionable señoritas with quality fans; hand-painted, filigreed, edged in lace, encrusted with pearls—styles and prices are unlimited. Puerta del Sol, 12; 34 915 226 643. www.casadediego.com

Flea Market
For over 500 years, the Sunday morning flea market, El Rastro, has offered everything from hand-carved castanets to Moroccan leather bags to downright junk; streets around the market are lined with bustling tapas bars; be aware, the market draws a fair share of pickpockets; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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