Shopping Season Is Nearly Upon Us
LAGUNA VILLAGE
Laguna Village, the beachfront Shopping centre conveniently located between San Pedro and Estepona next to the Kempinski Hotel, offers a unique day out, since the whole family will find something that interests them. The complex boasts a host of fashion boutiques and jewellery shops, a news stand and a range of companies, including a dental clinic, a boat sale shop, a graphic design studio and more. Laguna Village is also home to elegant beach club, Puro Beach, with its stunningly designed pool, pristine sun loungers and trendy restaurant, featuring everything from light snacks to creatively prepared dishes. Speaking of food, Laguna Village additionally offers the ultimate dining experience, with a variety of restaurants ready to suit all palates – choose from international dining to sushi, or simply start your day with a steaming cup of Java and a warm pitufo by the sea!
PUERTO BANÚS
This area is a real shoppers paradise dominated by the iconic Spanish department store El Corte Inglés. Spread over 5 floors, visitors can browse designer labels, perfumes, cosmetics and electrical items. It’s services also include restaurants, hairdressers, a nail bar and supermarket. The streets surrounding El Corte Inglés are home to a wide range of shops including one of a kind boutiques and large chains such as Karen Millen, Mango and Stradavarius. Also keep an eye out for fantastic art galleries and home decor shops stocking everything you need for stylish interiors. Head down to the port for your frontline fashion fix with some of the world’s leading International designer brands including Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Dior, Versace, Hugo Boss, Carolina Herrera, Custo Barcelona.
MARBELLA CENTER
Marbella city center is a delightful place to wander the streets and indulge in a spot of window shopping. Away from the frantic bustle of the shopping centers, visitors can take their time, relax and enjoy some special shops that are unique to the area. The main street that runs through the town, Avenida Ricardo Soriano is home to a full range of high street stores and Spanish speciality shops. From stylish fashion to fantastic shoes, novelty items for the kids and well stocked perfumerias, it has a huge range on offer. Take a walk through the pedestrian streets of the old town and you will find a large selection of one of a kind shops selling everything from traditional childrens’ toys to state-of-the-art gadgets, panamas, pashminas and art.
SHOPPING CENTERS & DEPARTMENT STORES
El Corte Inglés, Spain’s largest department store chain is represented in Puerto Banús and Fuengirola for those with a more expensive and sophisticated taste. It offers absolutely everything from luxury brand clothing and cosmetics to music, movies, portable & household electronics, furniture, hardware, books, groceries, gourmet food, cars and even a travel agency. All that coupled with a fully complete online shopping site, it is considered the most convenient stop for a shop for most foreigner residents. Hipercor, Supercor, Opencor and Sfera are too owned by El Corte Inglés whose name is also associated with impeccable after-sale service.
MARINA BANÚS
Also in the port, Marina Banús is a 3 story shopping center located directly opposite El Corte Ingles Department store in Puerto Banús. Shoppers can browse a range of popular brands including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Oysho and enjoy lunch in the ground floor restaurant area. Underground parking is charged by the hour but shopping in the center can entitle you to a period of free parking. Located on the Marina Banús square you will also find Banús’ own multi-screen cinema (with some original versions) and other butiques and restaurants including Metro and TGI Friday’s.
LA CAÑADA
La Cañada, located just outside Marbella’s ring road is the largest with over 150 stores stocking everything from fashion to cosmetics and home interiors. If you’re looking for familiar UK brands you will find favourites such as Marks & Spencer, Habitat, Accessorize, Dorothy Perkins and Wallace. You will also find Spanish high street stores Blanco, Stradavarius, Mango, Berksha and Cortefiel along with more exclusive brands such as Boss, Pepe Jeans or G-Star. La Cañada also boasts a cinema, bowling alley Megaball, numerous restaurants, and Auchan supermarket and amusement arcade. There is a huge free outdoor parking area that runs the length of the shopping center as well as an underground option. The center also hosts a large Leroy Merlin for your DIY and home décor needs, Worten renound for electronics and a Norauto dedicated to car accessories and repairs.
PARQUE MIRAMAR & SURRONDINGS
Parque Miramar is the newest shopping and leisure center to open in the area and is located just at the entrance to Fuengirola near the famous castle. With extensive free indoor and outdoor parking, shoppers can browse through over 160 outlets selling everything from fashion for the whole family to sporting goods and beauty products. There is also a large Eroski supermarket located in the center that stocks everything you could need for your weekly shop. There is a range of things to do when you take a break from the shopping including a food court with numerous restaurants, children’s play area, multi screen cinema with many original versions(!) and handy baby changing facilities. When you leave the main center, you can follow the side road round to an adjacent shopping area that includes the popular Dunnes Stores, LIDL supermarket, Iceland selling all-British products and other special interest superstores such as Worten (electronics) and Decathlon which is the most complete store dedicated to sports in the area. Other shops of note in Fuengirola are El Corte Inglés’ brand new department store and the Euromarket supermarket which unlike it’s sister stores elswhere, stock many imorted and unique products.
PLAZA MAYOR
Plaza Mayor is a large shopping and entertainment complex located close to the airport on the approach road into Málaga city center. It offers a great range of activites for both daytime and evening visitors. If you go with the family you can catch a movie at the 20 screen multiplex cinema (many in original language), try your hand at tenpin bowling or have a fast meal at one of the many restaurants lining the streets of the complex. As the sun goes down, the party goers arrive and enjoy drinking and dancing at the nightclubs, discos and bars which open until the early hours. There is extensive outdoor parking available. More recently, a large shopping area has been added to the complex that houses over 25 high-street shops and a supermarket. Ikea superstore and numerous large special interest superstores are also located in the vicinity.
reference http://www.essentialmagazine.com/marbella-shopping/