Tenerife has plenty to keep shoppers happy no matter what you’re looking for. There are plenty of vibrant markets brimming with fresh produce and an array of goods, as well as large shopping centers full with quality names and high street brands. Tenerife is also a duty free zone which means prices are a lot cheaper than many other places in the world.
Joe CawleyMy Destination local expert onTenerife
High street and high end
The high street prices in Tenerife are much better than those in the UK, particularly in stores such as Mango and Zara. The best places to go for high street shopping include San Eugenio and the Benetton outlets in Playa de las Americas. Another place to visit for more affordable shopping is CC Gran Sur. When it comes to shopping for big brands the places to go for designer labels are the CC Safari shopping center on the Golden Mile in Playa de Las Americas and CC Del Duque in Costa Adeje.
A variety of markets, including street markets full of local flavor and larger weekend markets specifically geared up for tourists are held all over the island at throughout the week. The two biggest markets on the south of the Island are Costa Adeje market, held on Thursdays and Saturdays, and Los Cristianos market, held on Sundays. These markets are renowned not only for being big, loud and colorful but also as places for a guaranteed bargain. The markets are overflowing with stalls boasting a vast array of jewelry, fabrics, clothing, books, electricals, health products and even property (should you decide you want to relocate to Tenerife permanently!) Other weekend markets include the Santa Cruz Sunday market and the Puerto de le Cruz Saturday market.
Weekday markets
For those who want to do a spot of shopping during the week Golf Del Sur has a market on Fridays. Another popular choice is the Las Abrigos Night Market, held in front of the church on Tuesday evenings. This market is smaller than others but is well worth a visit if you want to pick up jewelry, clothes or gifts. Why not make an evening of it and wander down to the seafront for a supper of fresh fish at one of the local restaurants?
African market
Santa Cruz is home to Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa; a famous and dazzling bazaar which boasts over 300 stalls offering a variety of goods and fresh local produce. The market is only a short walk from the bus station, next to the pink clock tower. It is always worth arriving early in the morning to get the produce at its freshest before the day gets too hot.
Duty free goods
Tenerife is a duty free zone which means that wines, spirits, perfume, tobacco and a variety of other products are a considerable amount cheaper than they are in the UK. Don’t wait until you are at the airport to buy these goods, the cheapest places by far are the local supermarkets. Visitors must bear in mind however that restrictions will apply to the amount you can take back home with you!
