Shopping in Madrid with its estimated 50,000 stores can be an exhausting activity. If you're pressed for time or don't particularly care for the joys of window shopping then just head for large departmental stores on Puerta del Sol, and on the streets of Princesa, Goya and Castellana - you'll get everything.
Otherwise take your time with streets and nooks, big glossy stores and musty secretive ones as you search and find everything from high-fashion clothing to flamenco guitars to ceramics to... well... all you can think of.
International designer can be found around the streets of Almirante and Conde de Xiquena, as well as in the district of Salamanca where you'll also find the best shops for jewelry, shoes, leather goods, furniture and gifts.
Local treasures such as espadrilles, fabrics, ropes, hats and religious articles can be found around the Plaza Mayor.
The Rastro is the most famous of the flea markets ostensibly the largest in the world. It opens on Saturdays and Sundays and on holidays from 10 to 2. You'll find everything under the sun here from valuable antiques to used clothing, collector cards, books, records, paintings and what-not. Even if you're the department store type, make it a point to just stroll through the Rastro for a genuine market experience - the throngs, the smells, the energy, the trickery, the finds!
The Feria del Libro Antiguo y de Ocasión is a book fair for old and used books held at the beginning of May.
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