Seville's shops are engaged in the classic battle between small, locally owned specialist stores and the mighty international and Spanish big brands. Small artisanal stores sit alongside the likes of El Cortes Inglés, Zara and Mango in the narrow streets and small squares of the Barri Santa Cruz. and El Arenal.
The main shopping area manages to squeeze into attractive streets like c/Sierpes and c/Tetuan, both pedestrianised, although scooters still snake through the crowds. This is the best area to find clothing, while a large bookstore, La Casa del Libro on c/Tetuan, sells what most visitors want, including guidebooks, literature and fiction in English.
The larger stores are at the northern end of the area on the Plaza de la Magdelena and Plaza del Duque de la Victoria. Here, unfortunately, you'll also find a rash of Macdonalds and Burger Kings, so around here any pretence at sophistication goes out of the window.
El Cortes Inglés
This major store is spread over a number of buildings, each specialising in different departments. The store has just about everything - clothes, furniture, groceries, travel agents, jewellery, tobacco, leather, hardware, perfume, toiletries plus a barber, optician and a cafe.
In Seville city centre there are several other branches at Plaza del Duque you will find clothing, tourist gifts, books, sports goods, groceries including gourmet foods (but pretty pricey), luggage, watches, jewellery, perfumes and toiletries. Across the square another El Corte Inglés sells DVDs, music, cameras, computer equipment and office supplies.
The branch nearby in Plaza de la Magdalena sells furniture and domestic goods - which could be a problem getting home with Ryanair's 15kg luggage limit!. Out of the centre, in Nervión, another Cortes has everything under one roof in a shopping mall location.
Search elsewhere towards the Cathedral for interesting shops specialising in guitars and musical instruments, fabrics, leather goods, kitchenware and fine foods. And for fans of fans, there's, oh, it can't be resisted, a fantastic choice!
Seville markets
Try one of the many open-air markets around Seville. Some are almost daily in a variety of plazas; others are weekly, often on Sundays. Informal, and normally illegal, street sellers are in c/Tetuan and c/Sierpes selling crafts, leather, necklaces and sunglasses. The police arriving can result in the market disappearing rapidly!
Collectables can be found on Plaza del Cabildo on Sunday mornings with stamps and coins, semi-precious stones, antique watches, military medals and much more.
The Flea Market at Charco de la Pava is another Sunday morning attraction. It's some way out of the centre but has a wide range -including a lot of junk.
For art and paintings, try the Plaza del Museo market, also on Sunday mornings. It's next to the Museum of Bellas Artes and you can find paintings and sketches from local artists. Antiques are found in the Calle Feria on Thursday mornings. It's one of the oldest markets in Seville with antiques, ceramics, paintings, coins, glassware, books, clothing and toys.
On the Plaza del Duque on Thursday, Friday and Saturday is the "hippie market". You can buy belts, shirts, leather goods, jewellery and some small works of art. Another crafts market is on Plaza de la Magdalena on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It's more of an African atmosphere with leather bags, belts, and drums as well as some jewellery.
Seville shop
Seville clocks
Seville antiques
Shop sign
