Shopping in Spain: Seville

Seville shopping varies from small artisan shops to large department stores. There are a variety of smaller shops offering services such as shoe repairing and key making. These are great for shoppers who know exactly what they want. The customer service in these smaller establishments is often more personal, and the prices more economical. Shoppers simply looking to browse are better off in the malls and shopping centres. 

The Seville City Centre

There are two streets in Seville city centre (Sierpes and Tetuan) that make up the main shopping area. There are a wide selection of shopping opportunities from men and women’s clothing and shoes, to ceramics, sports equipment and jewellery.

All the big name Spanish brands like Zara, Pull & Bear and Bershka can be found in these streets. A sizeable bookshop named La Casa del Libro (The House of Books) can be found on Tetuan. Some of the most interesting little shops are located outside the city centre. There are some quaint shopping districts worth visiting in Avenida Consitución. Here you can find a mixture of café’s and shops. Alameda features a selection of second-hand stores and Los Remedios has a handful of chic designer boutiques.

Malls in Seville: The malls are a great place to seek shade from the sun on those days when the weather reaches 40° and above. There are three malls in Seville: Plaza de Armas, Nervión Plaza and Los Arcos. Plaza de Armas is the smallest shopping centre of them all. It is located inside the old Cordoba train station. Inside, you can find a McDonalds, a cinema and a Mercadona. In addition, there are a variety of restaurants including a Mexican and an Italian. In terms of actual shops, there are only a few, however the architecture of this building alone is reason enough to visit.

Nervión Plazais a 15 minute walk from the city centre. It is bigger than Plaza de Armas, featuring a good food court and all the big name Spanish clothing stores mentioned above and more. Inside the Nervión Plaza is a multi-screen cinema. If you happen to be passing by the mall in the late afternoon or early evening, it is worth popping in to catch sight of the Latin American vendors selling a variety of handicrafts and little trinkets. It is necessary to take a bus to reach Los Arcos as it is a little further away from the city centre. Los Arcos is much the same as the Nervión Plaza in terms of content. The only two real differences are a Disney Store and a Toys R Us. Los Arcos also features an Opencor supermarket which is open 18 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Open-Air Markets in Seville

One way to find unique gifts is to visit one of Seville’s open-air markets. They generally take place on Sundays in plazas around the city. However, perhaps one of the most interesting markets in Seville can be found along the river in the section of the city known as "Torneo". Here you can find an animal market selling a selection of pets from dogs and cats to rabbits and mice. You can also pick up various pet supplies at this market such as pet food and animal cages. Many people come here just to have a look. Another interesting market in Seville is "the hippie market" located in front of the Corte Ingles. Here you can find craftsmen and women selling their handiwork which varies from belts and scarves to jewellery and wooden boxes. It may be advised to keep an eye on your belongings when visiting this part of town.

In conclusion, Seville offers a diverse range of shops from upmarket designer brands to high street names and one-off bargains. So, regardless of your budget size, you can find something special to take home as a momento of the time you spent in Seville.