Shopping in Valencia is a unique experience that caters to pretty much every taste and style. From modern shopping malls to traditional markets and chic boutiques, planning a shopping spree in Valencia can be as rewarding as visiting the city’s coveted attractions.
And the best part? You don’t have to break the bank to indulge in a little retail therapy. In addition to high-end brands and luxury stores, Valencia is home to many emerging brands and designers that offer unique and authentic products.
Without further ado, let’s explore the best shopping areas in Valencia that you simply cannot miss.
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Best shopping areas in Valencia
1. San Francesc neighborhood – for luxury brands and fast fashion
Centrally located, San Francesc is one of the most iconic shopping areas in Valencia. So if you’re a shopping enthusiast, you should check it out. This part of the city boasts some of the best shopping streets in Valencia, where you can find Spanish and international brands.
The famous Calle Colón, the main shopping street in Valencia, is situated in San Francesc. Interestingly, one side of this street belongs to San Francesc, while the other side belongs to the Pla del Remei neighborhood.
Popular streetwear brands such as Mango, Springfield, Stradivarius, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Intimissimi, Ulanka, and H&M all have a presence here. You will also find cosmetics brands such as Kiko, Lush, NYX, and Rituals. And why not, an Apple store, a Nespresso boutique, and a MediaMarkt electronics store?
If luxury brands are more your style, you should head to Calle del Poeta Querol. This street is known as Valencia’s Golden Mile and is home to high-end brands like Hugo Boss, Loewe, Carolina Herrera, Lladró, and the fun fashion brand Koker.
San Francesc is also home to a couple of El Corte Ingés department stores where you can splurge on a myriad of luxury brands.
Last but not least, head to the pedestrian-only Calle de Don Juan de Austria to visit the recently opened Zara flagship store. Spreading over 3 floors, this is one of the largest and most technologically advanced Zara megastores in the world.
2. El Mercat neighborhood – for fresh produce and souvenirs
If you’re looking for a great place to buy souvenirs from Valencia, El Mercat is the neighborhood you don’t want to miss! It’s right next to San Francesc and it’s definitely worth a visit.
One of the main attractions in this area is Mercado Central – the biggest and most beautiful indoor market in Europe.
You can find everything here, from fresh produce and seafood to olives, cheeses, local craft beer, and charcuterie meats. And, of course, there are plenty of stalls selling souvenirs too, from locally produced pottery and paella pans to turrón – the famous nougat confectionery eaten in Valencia at Christmas.
If you’re looking for gourmet food gifts, you’re in luck! Just a stone’s throw away from the market, there are some great gourmet food shops such as Original CV, Los Batanes, and Maxi Cash Gourmet. All three shops have a nice selection of local wines, among others things.
For handmade souvenirs, you should check out Plaza Redonda. This is the best place in Valencia for purchasing embroidery, lace, and ceramics, all made by local artisans. And for wicker baskets, check out Calle Músico Peydró.
And if you’re still in the mood for more souvenirs, be sure to take a stroll down Calle de Les Mantes and Calle d’Ercilla – you’ll find plenty of shops there selling all kinds of interesting and unique items, some, but not all, locally produced.
3. El Carmen neighborhood – for vintage stores and unique finds
El Carmen is one of Valencia’s most vibrant and lively neighborhoods, with a rich cultural heritage. It is home to many museums and art galleries as well as a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and cafés.
But El Carmen is also a great place for shopping as it has many small boutiques that offer a unique and diverse shopping experience, different from your average high street shops.
Stroll through the narrow streets and you’ll find vintage boutiques, upcycling stores, and plenty of small shops selling fashion, jewelry, and accessories, such as Mandala and Alvent.
The best shopping street in El Carmen is Calle Caballeros, home of Kinnara and Luna Nera, two colorful clothing shops that sell the most original fashion items and accessories. Atypical Valencia, one of the best souvenir shops in the city selling art prints, maps, and postcards designed by local artists is also located on this street.
If you want to create a unique and sustainable wardrobe without breaking the bank, you have to check out Santo Spirito Vintage, SoHo del Carmen, Mon Petit Secret… Vintage, Vintage TTS: El Carmen, or Lavespa Roja.
Some of these shops are technically located in the La Seu neighborhood on the edge of El Carmen, but you can easily hop between them and check them all out in one morning.
4. Pla del Remei neighborhood – for luxury brands and home decor
The Pla del Remei neighborhood in Valencia is a beautiful and upscale area known for its elegant Modernista buildings and great shopping opportunities. It’s not a very big area, with just a few streets between Calle Colón and Gran Via Marques del Turia, but it’s packed with a lot of great shops.
If you’re looking to spruce up your home, Pla del Remei has a variety of affordable furniture and home accessory stores, including Banak Importa, Kenay Home, Triggo, Casa Viva, Kolonial Home, and Gadgets & Cuina. Luxury and design furniture brands, such as Natuzzi, Molteni&C, and Porcelanosa have a presence here as well.
Pla del Remei is also a great place for fashion lovers, with high-end and designer boutiques like Chapeau. This multi-brand store brings luxury brands like Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Prada, and Balenciaga under the same roof.
If you prefer buying sustainable fashion, check out Poppyns (permanently closed), a cool concept store that offers high-quality designer clothes and also has a fun and relaxing café on the premises.
Pla del Remei also boasts Spanish brands like Purificación García, indi & cold, and Women’s Secret, as well as several kids’ clothing stores.
Hungry or thirsty after all the shopping and need to take a break and recharge? Pla del Remei packs several cafés and restaurants, but you should not miss Mercado de Colón, one of the best gastro markets in Valencia, with a dozen bars and restaurants to choose from.
5. Ruzafa neighborhood – for independent designers and vintage items
Ruzafa is not only a hipster neighborhood with great bars and famous nightlife, but it’s also a fantastic shopping destination in Valencia.
This area is full of diverse small boutiques, artist studios, vintage stores, and trendy shops. It’s the perfect place to find unique fashion items and accessories from independent Spanish designers and up-and-coming brands.
Ruzafa has the biggest concentration of second-hand shops in Valencia. If you’re into pre-loved pieces, check out Reused, Vintaker, El Vestidor Vintage, Flamingos Vintage Kilo, and Madame Mim. You won’t regret it!
Looking to decorate your home? Diseño 43 might be the answer. But you should also pay a visit to some of Ruzafa’s curiosity and antique stores, such as Pop 65 Vintage and Ruzafa Vintage.
This neighborhood also has a few good gift and souvenir shops, such as Gnomo and Hinojo Bazar. The first one sells all kinds of original art prints, earrings, notebooks, and stationery by local artists. While the second is a zero-waste shop selling plants, cute flower pots, soy candles, solid soaps, and other sustainable products.
For a different shopping experience, visit Coworkshop Spain. This multicultural space hosts all kinds of exhibitions and workshops while selling paintings, illustrations, ceramics, and sculptures created by in-house artists.
In this sea of independent shops, the only anomaly is Primark. The giant Irish clothing retailer has a three-story shop on the edge of Ruzafa, bordering Calle Colón and San Francesc.
Best shopping centers in Valencia
6. El Corte Inglés department stores
El Corte Inglés is Spain’s only department store. They offer a wide range of luxury items, such as high-end clothing, beauty products, home decor, and electronics.
Valencia has five different El Corte Inglés locations to choose from. Two of them can be found on Calle Colón right in the city center, one is located next to the Nuevo Centro shopping center, another is by the City of Arts and Sciences, and there’s even an outlet branch located in the El Campanar neighborhood.
7. El Saler Shopping Center
El Saler is probably Valencia’s best shopping mall and my favorite one. It’s situated right next to the City of Arts and Sciences and it has been recently remodeled, expanded, and given a facelift. Here you will find one of the largest Carrefour store in Valencia, a cinema, and dozens of shops and restaurants.
8. Aqua Multiespacio Shopping Center
Aqua Multiespacio is a cool and trendy shopping mall, very popular with the locals. It’s got tons of stores and restaurants to check out, and the best part is that you get an awesome view of the City of Arts and Sciences. The one downside though is that it’s not completely indoors, so if you go there in winter, it can be pretty chilly and windy as you make your way from one shop to another.
9. Arena Multiepacio Shopping Center
Arena Multiespacio is a modern and bright shopping center with a semi-open layout. Situated close San Miguel de Los Reyes Monastery, one of Valencia’s hidden gems, this shopping center has a really nice selection of stores and restaurants, all without the typical crowds you’d find in the other shopping areas and malls on this list. This makes it a great option if you’re looking for a relaxed shopping experience in Valencia.
10. Nuevo Centro Shopping Center
Nuevo Centro might be a bit dated, but it’s conveniently located close to the city center. Spreading over two floors, you can browse dozens of shops without leaving the air-conditioned area. Outside the mall, there are plenty of restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat and even a playground for the little ones to enjoy.
Thank you for your insights and perspective. I’m looking forward to visiting many of the places you’ve mentioned on my first trip to Valencia. Muchas gracias.
You’re very welcome! I hope you’ll find lots of nice things and you’ll enjoy every minute of your shopping experience in Valencia :)