From the famous Wednesday market to hidden local shops, discover authentic shopping in Benidorm.
For those who want to shop like a true Benidorm local, the key is knowing where to go beyond the tourist-oriented shops that line the main beachfront streets. Benidorm offers a rich tapestry of shopping experiences, from bustling weekly street markets overflowing with bargains to the atmospheric central market where fresh fish and local produce change hands daily. Understanding where locals shop not only saves money but provides an authentic glimpse into Spanish daily life that tourists rarely experience.
The Famous Wednesday Market
The Mercadillo del Miércoles (Wednesday Market) in the Foietes area is the undisputed highlight of Benidorm's market scene and one of the largest weekly markets on the Costa Blanca. Stretching across multiple streets and car parks, this enormous market draws locals and visitors from across the region who come in search of bargains on everything from clothing and footwear to household goods, bags, jewelry, and accessories.
Arriving early is absolutely essential for the best experience. The market officially opens around 9:00 AM, but seasoned shoppers arrive by 8:30 AM to secure parking and beat the crowds. By 11:00 AM, the narrow aisles between stalls become packed with shoppers, making browsing difficult and transactions hurried. Early birds have the advantage of first choice on the best items and more relaxed interactions with stallholders.
The clothing section offers remarkable variety at prices that make high street shops seem expensive. Quality varies considerably, so careful inspection is important, but designer-inspired pieces, summer dresses, shirts, and casual wear can be found at fractions of retail prices. The shoe stalls are particularly popular, offering everything from comfortable walking shoes to elegant sandals. Haggling is acceptable and expected, especially when buying multiple items – asking for a small discount is perfectly normal and often successful.
Beyond fashion, the Wednesday market sells household items, kitchen gadgets, bedding, towels, and home décor. Stalls selling olives, nuts, spices, and local cheeses provide tasty snacks and gift ideas. Hardware vendors offer tools, garden equipment, and practical items at competitive prices. The sheer variety means you can often find exactly what you need without visiting multiple shops around town.
Sunday Market in Town Center
The Sunday market in Benidorm's town center offers a more compact but equally interesting shopping experience. While smaller than the Wednesday behemoth, this market has a slightly different character, with more emphasis on antiques, vintage items, handcrafts, and collectibles alongside the usual clothing and household goods.
Located in and around the Plaza de la Constitución, the Sunday market benefits from a more atmospheric setting in the heart of the old town. After browsing the stalls, shoppers can relax at one of the surrounding cafés with a coffee, making it a pleasant Sunday morning activity rather than purely a shopping mission. The antique section attracts collectors looking for vintage jewelry, old coins, retro homewares, and Spanish ceramics.
Mercadillo del Puerto: Artisan Market
Saturday mornings bring the Mercadillo del Puerto to life at Benidorm's small harbor area. This boutique market has a distinctly different atmosphere from the larger street markets, focusing on local artisans, organic produce, handmade crafts, and artisanal food products. The setting beside the fishing boats adds authentic Spanish charm that larger markets lack.
Local craftspeople sell handmade jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, textiles, and artwork, making this an excellent place to find unique gifts and souvenirs that go beyond the mass-produced tourist trinkets found elsewhere. Organic farmers bring fresh produce, honey, preserves, and local specialties. Food stalls offer fresh pastries, empanadas, and other treats that make excellent market snacks.
The harbor market is particularly popular with the expat community, who appreciate the quality products and relaxed atmosphere. Arrive by 10:00 AM on Saturday to enjoy the market at its best, and consider combining your visit with fresh fish purchased directly from the morning's fishing boats at the adjacent fish market.
Mercado Municipal: The Heart of Local Shopping
For the most authentic shopping experience in Benidorm, the Mercado Municipal (Central Market) is unmatched. This covered market, operating daily except Sundays, is where Benidorm residents buy their fresh produce, fish, meat, and specialty items. Walking through its aisles provides a sensory immersion into Spanish culinary culture.
The fish section is particularly impressive, with the morning's catch displayed on ice – gleaming dorada, lubina, sardines, prawns, and cuttlefish alongside clams, mussels, and octopus. Fishmongers are happy to clean and prepare your purchases, and most will offer advice on cooking methods if asked. Prices are competitive with supermarkets, and quality is noticeably superior.
Butcher stalls offer cuts of meat prepared to Spanish preferences, including excellent pork, lamb, and poultry. The charcutería counters display cured meats and cheeses, with knowledgeable staff who can guide you through regional specialties. Fruit and vegetable vendors sell seasonal produce that often traveled only a few kilometers from local farms, a freshness that supermarket produce simply cannot match.
Regular visits to the central market quickly establish relationships with vendors who remember preferences and offer recommendations. This is shopping as a social experience, the way it has been done in Spain for generations. The market also houses several small bars where shoppers take coffee breaks, adding to its convivial atmosphere.
Supermarket Guide for Residents
For everyday grocery shopping, Benidorm offers a full range of supermarket options to suit different needs and budgets.
Mercadona stands as Spain's largest supermarket chain and a reliable choice for everyday groceries. Prices are reasonable, quality is consistent, and the stores are well-organized. Mercadona excels in Spanish products – excellent olive oils, affordable wines, prepared foods, and fresh bakery items. Several locations throughout Benidorm make it convenient for most residents.
Lidl brings its German efficiency to Benidorm with competitive prices, excellent bakery sections, and popular weekly special offers that create queues for limited items. The Spanish Lidl stores have adapted well to local tastes while maintaining their value-focused approach.
Carrefour's hypermarket in the La Cala area offers the widest selection, including extensive electronics, home goods, clothing, and sporting equipment alongside groceries. For a comprehensive shopping trip where you need multiple categories of items, Carrefour's one-stop approach saves time and petrol.
Iceland serves the large British community in Benidorm with familiar UK products, frozen goods, and items that are difficult to find in Spanish supermarkets. The nostalgia factor draws many British expats, though prices reflect the import costs for British products.
Specialty shops complement the supermarkets – Asian grocers near the town center, Eastern European shops serving those communities, and numerous bakeries, butchers, and greengrocers scattered throughout residential areas.
Shopping Centers and Malls
For a comprehensive retail experience with air conditioning and entertainment options, several shopping centers serve the Benidorm area.
Centro Comercial La Marina in nearby Finestrat has grown into a major retail destination with familiar names including Primark, Zara, H&M, and numerous other fashion retailers. A large cinema complex, restaurants, and a food court make it a destination for a half-day outing. Free parking and easy access make La Marina convenient for stocking up on wardrobe essentials.
Centro Comercial Habaneras in Torrevieja, while requiring a longer drive, offers excellent outlet shopping with discounted designer brands. Fashion-conscious shoppers find the journey worthwhile for significant savings on quality clothing and accessories.
Local Shopping Streets
Beyond the markets and malls, Benidorm's local shopping streets reveal where residents make their regular purchases. Calle Gambo, running through the Rincón de Loix area, offers a completely different shopping experience from the tourist zones. Here you'll find local bakeries, hardware stores, pharmacies, shoe shops, and everyday services used by Benidorm's permanent residents.
The old town (Casco Antiguo) contains boutique shops selling Spanish ceramics, artisanal gifts, traditional fans, and quality souvenirs that differ markedly from the beach shop merchandise. Exploring these narrow streets often yields unique finds and provides a pleasant escape from the more commercial areas.
For residents and regular visitors, discovering Benidorm's authentic shopping scene transforms the retail experience from a tourist chore into genuine participation in local life. The money saved is considerable, but the real value lies in the connections made and the glimpse into how Spanish life actually works beyond the beach and the bars.
