Valencia has hordes of shops selling everything from traditional wares to the latest fashion trends, so be prepared to face the crowds and bargains and bring plenty of cash. Visitors may experience and enjoy the shopping in Valencia with the craft items converted into works of art and created with ancient techniques; the elegance of the most prestigious international fashion, jewellery and decoration companies; the exclusive designs by increasingly well-known local designers and local products of the highest quality.

Shopping Areas and Centers in Valencia
As for shopping areas and shopping centers in Valencia; below are the popular zones and shopping centers.

• the Historical Centre is popular for the crafts and urban design;

• the traditional Carmen district has become a growing commercial area where the visitors will find all kind of alternative and avant-garde clothing shops in its winding streets as well as workshops where visitors may purchase arts and crafts;

• the Poeta Querol-La Paz is the most exclusive international companies;

• Colón and Eixample is the the leading fashion and decoration zone;

• the Central Market (Mercado Central) is a culinary cathedral located in a modernist jewel;

• the Plaza Redonda is a unique spot hidden in the heart of the city, where the visitors may find true works of art made by local craftsmen;

• Calle de las Cestas offers a host of establishments selling handmade wicker and leather goods;

• the L’Escuraeta is an open-air market held in Plaza de la Reina during May offering traditional ceramic goods.

The most traditional and popular zone for shopping in Valencia is in the southern part of the historic center and surrounding area. Colón, Don Juan de Austria, Poeta Querol, Jorge Juan, Cirilo Amorós and La Paz are famous streets for shopping in Valencia. The Central Market (Mercado Central) of Valencia is one of Europe’s largest markets, located inside a jewel of modernist architecture. At the Valencia Central Market visitors may experience the local produce and savor the local Mediterranean products and enjoy the local cuisine within more than 1000 stalls.

Popular shopping items and goods to Buy in Valencia
Popular items which tourists love to take back from this city include the ceramics, pottery, glassware, craftwork and Valencian food.

Lladro porcelain is a famous Spanish souvenir which is produced just outside of this city, and comes in the form of delicate and incredibly intricate designs of women, animals and even formidable Chinese dragons. The craftwork in wood ranges from small ornaments and sculptures to furniture.

If you’re after food, try the Iberian ham, which comes from black Iberian pigs fed on a specialized diet in southern Spain. A wide variety of sausages, particularly chorizo, other meat and bakery products are well worth purchasing.

Valencia’s international trade fair is the oldest in Spain, founded in 1917. Fifty shows run their courses throughout the year in the spacious Benimamet fair enclosure. On sale here are ceramics, textiles, garden products, jewellery, furniture, fashion, handicrafts, books, antiques and sausages.

Useful Information for shopping in Valencia
Opening hours: Shops in Valencia are open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 1.30pm, and from 5pm to 8pm. Shopping centers are open from 10am to 10pm and they are closed on Sundays and holidays, with some certain exceptions.

Sales: There are two sales periods during the year in Valencia which include; winter (7th January until 28th February) and summer (1st July until 31st August).

VAT: VAT will be reimbursed on purchases over 90€ for visitors from outside the European Union. There is information on how to claim VAT back in establishments displaying the Tax Free Shopping symbol.

Valencia Tourist Card: Some establishments offer discounts with this card. You may see the list of establishments and conditions on www.valenciatouristcard.com

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