Shopping in Tenerife
The Canary Islands are practically a duty-free area, and an absence, or a
sharp reduction in VAT and other taxes, often means that you find goods
significantly cheaper at Tenerife than at home in Norway. This applies not least
to products such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as perfume and other "luxury
products". You do not bargain on Tenerife prices, except if you
are in special markets. Street sales are not allowed and we advise you to stay
away from this trade. And of course you have no right to complain if you still
buy something on the street, and you find something wrong with the product
afterwards.
The general opening hours are from 1000 to 1330 and from 1700 to 2000. The
break is due to a siesta that most still hold. However, many stores are open
until late in the evening, so at 2000, there should be no last bar to shopping.
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Popular to shop on Tenerife
Some of the most popular things to do on Tenerife are video and digital
cameras, mobile phones and video games. Electronics are very affordable. But be
critical of the stores that offer these products. Not a few people have come
home with a "Casio" instead of a "Casio". If you have been deceived and you have
been shopping in a store and not on the street, contact the organization
OMIC which has its offices at Centro Culturel in Los Christianos. This
is a consumer organization that protects consumer rights. Remember the receipt
and the product.
Specialties in Tenerife
The pearls in Tenerife are both well known and recognized. Take a trip to
Armenime south of the island, specifically Ctra. General del Sur, where
thousands of square meters are dedicated pearls and pearl jewelry. Armenime is
open seven days a week, starting at 0900. Free admission. If you are staying at
Costa Adeje, Las Americas, Los Cristianos, Playa Paraíso, Callao Salvaje, Playa
Arena, Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes, you can get a free shuttle to Armenime
and Tenerife Pearl.
In general about shopping in Tenerife
All the major tourist resorts south of Tenerife have centers and shopping
areas where you get plenty of opportunities to let your credit card run
smoothly. If you do not want to shop in the tourist area you live yourself, you
usually go to the center of Los Cristianos. The pedestrian
streets of Los Cristianos have many quaint shops, just remember the siesta in
the middle of the day when many of them are closed. Compared to prices we are
used to from home you can really find some price bargains on clothes, if that's
what you want to shop on Tenerife. The stores Mango and
Zara are popular and with good prices compared to similar stores in e.g.
Norway. You will find a Mango store in San Eugenio and one in Playa de las
Americas, just off the Metropolis nightclub, where there are many other clothing
stores as well. Zara has several shops around the island.
The capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife probably offers the
best shopping in Tenerife. You will find most shops concentrated around the
streets of Villalba Hervás, El Castillo, Doctor Allart, Bethencourt Alfonso and
San José, and in and around Plaza de España and Plaza de la Candelaria. Santa
Cruz is also the hometown of the well-known
African market, (read more about this in the article below), and this is where
you will find the El Corte Inglés department store. Most specialty shops in
Santa Cruz follow the tradition of siesta, while the major centers are open all
day.
Tenerife Charter Airport, Reina Sofia airport, has duty-free shops, but the
prices here are no lower than what you pay in the Santa Cruz store. On the other
hand, shopping at the airport is safer, and expensive perfume we would certainly
have chosen to buy at the airport, thus avoiding a bad surprise at home when
using the new perfume for the first time.
A selection of shopping centers in Tenerife
Centro Comercial Plaza
del Duque
Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque is located south of Tenerife, at Playa de
Fanabe, and has about 40 stores selling exclusive fashion brands. Both Spanish
and international brands. This center is also excellent for those looking for a
better dinner. The restaurants Bliss and Catavinos are located here.
El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés is an institution in Spain, and the magazine of Tenerife can be
found in the capital of Tenerife, more specifically in the street Avenida de
Tres de Mayo. Here you shop shoes, perfume, clothing, accessories, music and
much more.
Carrefour Tenerife
Want to visit a hypermarket? Then you have the chance at this great Carrefour
center, located about 6 km from Santa Cruz, at the Autopista del Sur. This
center was formerly called Continente Centro Commercial and there are about 150
stores, in addition to the aforementioned large hypermarket. Open Monday through
Saturday from 1000 to 2200.
Center Gran Sur
Shopping Center Center Gran Sur has quickly become a popular place for tourists.
Not only can you buy all kinds of goods here, but you can also eat good food, go
to the movies, some of the movies are not dubbed in Spanish! The center is open
from 1000 to 2200, while the cinema is open until midnight. Even on Sundays the
shops are open. You will find the center at the Fanabe, more specifically on the
TF-1 motorway.
Centor Comercial Parque Santiago
Parque Santiago, 3 at Playa de las Américas, (38660, Adeje) is a tourist resort
with a huge shopping mall with more than 150 stores. The center has a wide
variety of types of products and suppliers, and you will find different price
variations.
Alcampo la Villa Shopping Center (Centro Comercial
Alcampo)
This giant shopping center is located in La Laguna, not far from Santa Cruz de
Tenerife. In addition to a number of regular stores, you will also find various
outlet stores at Alcampo where you can buy designer clothes for a reasonable
amount of money. The address is San Cristóbal de la Laguna and opening hours are
0900 to 2200.
Markets in Tenerife
In local markets it is okay to bargain. Torviscas The market (Saturdays) and
the market in Los Christianos (Sundays) are the largest markets south of
Tenerife. They are touristy, but they are still worth a visit. Here are lots of
sales stalls and also often fashion shows and similar entertainment.
Golf Del Sur Market (Friday morning)
This is one of the newest markets in Tenerife and is popular, perhaps most
because of its location at the new marina. The market is much smaller than eg.
Sunday market in Los Cristianos.
Los Abrigos Night Market (Tuesdays)
This small market is held in the square in front of the church in Los Abrigos
every Tuesday night. It's not that big, but nice enough, at least if you plan to
combine your visit with a late dinner at one of the many restaurants in Los
Abrigos.
Sunday market in Guaza
If you love old books and used clothes, CDs, DVDs and the like, then you go to
Guaza and the market which is open on the first Sunday of each month. Here you
may be able to find exactly the one you have been looking for for a long time!
The African Market in Santa Cruz
The famous Mercado Nuestra Senora de Africa is a local Canary Island market that
functions as a bazaar with more than 300 sales stalls selling most, especially
local vegetables and fruits. The market is a short walk from the Santa Cruz bus
station. Look for a pink bell tower and show up early for the best items!
Usually open all days from 0600, but best Sunday morning! In the African market
you can buy flowers, fruits, vegetables, cheese, fish, meat, spices and herbs.
Eating on Tenerife
One of the most fun things about traveling is experiencing the local food. In
any case, most people think so. But you can, if you like, eat Norwegian meat
cakes, burgers and tacos in Tenerife. This is easy to get at, on and around the
biggest tourist hotels for Scandinavian (and British) charter tourists.
In any case, we think you should try more than the tourist traps and tourist
bars, and eat your dinners at one of the many "proper" restaurants in Tenerife.
Most of the island's restaurants serve Spanish cuisine, and of course you will
find countless tapas bars.
Tapas favorites in Tenerife:
- Boquerones (small filleted fish)
- Camembert frito (fried camembert cheese)
- Chipirones (small octopus, oiled and fried in pan on hot plate)
- Chopitos Fritos (squid snacks)
- Croquetas (bread, mixed with potato and / or fish)
- Empanadas (pie stuffed with tuna and tomato)
In general about food in Tenerife
The local food in the Canary Islands is not at all an unusual diet for most
of us. Here, most grilled meats are eaten, such as pork, lamb, chicken or
cattle. But the location naturally indicates that fish are also popular, often
served to salty fried potatoes, (papas arrugadas).
Why not take the trip away from the bathing destination where you live, e.g.
Playa de las Americas, and rather visit an island's quaint little towns
for good food and pleasant nightlife?
Eating in Puerto de la Cruz
There are probably 300 restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz, and it is wonderful
to wander around and look for a suitable eatery. New restaurants are opening
continuously so it's hard to say where and what to eat.
But anyway, head east to the Plaza del Charco main square, along
Calle San Felipe, to get to the city's old fishing district, better known
as La Rinalla. This is the heart of the restaurant district. The
restaurants around the cobbled streets are a find for anyone who knows how to
enjoy food and city life. Here you will find your restaurant, whether you prefer
vegetarian, Mediterranean, classic Spanish cuisine, seafood, traditional Canary
food or Italian restaurants.
Perhaps the best part is that the prices are still very nice for us tourists.
We suggest the following specials for a successful dinner: Conejo en salmorejo
(rabbit stew), gambas a la plancha (grilled shrimp) or cherne con papas
arrugadas y mojo (a kind of sea bass with boiled potatoes and "spicy" sauce).
Two selected restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz
Casa Pache
Simply a lovely restaurant in the heart of Ranilla district. Charming rooms
consisting of small rooms each with their own style. Creative chefs bring you
delicious Spanish food. Also a plus for lots of delicious wine and tapas
specialties. The address is Calle de la Verdad 6.
La Clave - Tapas Y Pintxos
A slightly trendy tapas restaurant, not unlike the ones you find in Barri
Gotic in Barcelona. The address is Calle Puerto Viejo, 18.
Eating in Santa Cruz on Tenerife
When in Santa Cruz, head towards the gray stone tower at Iglesia de la
Concepción to get to the lively Old Quarter of the Noria district.
Here you will find a number of exciting and good restaurants, not least in the
trendy Calle Antonio Dominguez Alfonso street.
One recommended restaurant is Bulán, which offers the best
of Middle Eastern cuisine. The address of Bulán is Calle
Antonio Dominguez Alfonso, 35. Another alternative is the Catalan restaurant
El Porron Tasca.
If you are looking for tapas bars, visit Calle Imeldo Seris Street
for a selection of ' montaditos ' (small pieces of toast with various
accessories) and a tortilla Español. You will also find good tapas bars
along the Parque García Sanabria and Calle Dr José Naveíras
Street. And then you can have a romantic walk in the park after dinner.
Eating in Los Cristianos
There are of course several good restaurants in Los Cristianos as well. If
you want to eat something Spanish, namely paella, then we suggest
Raymond 1, in the street Calle General Franco, not far from
Hotel Andreas. Reasonable prices and good paella make this a good choice.
Nightlife on Tenerife and Santa Cruz
The Noria district is the center for nightlife in Santa Cruz. You will find a
variety of bars and pubs offering everything from rock to jazz. Saturday and
Sunday are the most important nightlife here. Do you still have the power when
the bars close at 0300, so know that there are clubs that keep going until the
shops open.
In general about food and restaurants in Tenerife
Drink is not normally included in the bill. Does IGIC know so well that this
is the Canary Islands 'VAT' which should be 5% (at the time of writing). You do
not need to drink if you are not satisfied or if you only take a sandwich.
Otherwise, we suggest you give about 10% for restaurant visits. Lunch is served
around 1400 if not siesta, which is still common in Tenerife. Adults tend to
have dinner at approximately 2100.
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