Benidorm shopping often gets overlooked — everyone's too busy talking about the beaches and the nightlife. But after ten years living on the Costa Blanca, I can tell you that this city has a genuinely varied retail scene that goes way beyond tacky fridge magnets and sombreros. Whether you're hunting for fresh local produce, Spanish fashion, or the perfect souvenir to bring home, Benidorm delivers — if you know where to look.
September is actually a brilliant month to shop here. The summer crowds have thinned, prices in some boutiques drop for end-of-season sales, and the market stalls aren't elbow-to-elbow packed. Here's everything you need to know.
The Wednesday & Sunday Market (Mercadillo de Benidorm)
This is the big one. Benidorm's open-air street market runs every Wednesday and Sunday morning, and it's one of the largest on the Costa Blanca. You'll find it spread across the Avenida de la Comunitat Valenciana and surrounding streets in the newer part of town — follow the crowds from about 9am and you can't miss it.
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Find rentals →What's there? Honestly, a bit of everything. Stalls selling fresh olives, local honey, Valencian almonds, and dried fruits sit alongside clothing vendors flogging everything from linen shirts to leather sandals. There are handbags, sunglasses, ceramics, and enough novelty beach towels to sink a small ship. Prices are negotiable if you're buying more than one item — don't be shy about asking.
My personal tip: get there before 10am. The best fresh produce goes fast, and the market gets genuinely uncomfortable in full September sun by midday. Grab a coffee from one of the nearby cafés on Calle Doctor Orts Llorca first, then dive in.
El Faro Shopping Centre
If you need air conditioning and a proper sit-down lunch, El Faro on Avenida del Mediterráneo is Benidorm's main indoor shopping centre. It's not huge by European standards, but it covers the essentials well: a Mercadona supermarket (essential for self-catering holiday renters stocking up on local wine and jamón), a Primark, a pharmacy, several clothing and shoe shops, and a food court with both Spanish and international options.
For holiday rental guests staying nearby, the Mercadona here is genuinely brilliant — well-stocked, cheap, and the fresh bread counter is worth the visit alone.
La Marina Shopping Centre
Slightly older and more relaxed than El Faro, La Marina is located near the Levante beach end of town. It has a good mix of souvenir shops, gift boutiques, and a few independent clothing stores that occasionally turn up genuinely nice Spanish-made items. There's also a decent supermarket and several restaurants with outdoor terraces if you fancy a break.
The Old Town: Independent Boutiques & Ceramics
For shopping that doesn't feel mass-produced, head to Benidorm's Old Town (Casco Antiguo). The streets around Plaza del Castell and the mirador area have a handful of small independent shops selling locally-made ceramics, Spanish espadrilles (alpargatas), olive oil soaps, and regional food products like turron nougat and Valencian wines.
One shop I keep returning to is a small ceramics place on Calle Sant Jaume — I won't name it because it changes hands occasionally, but look for the blue-and-white azulejo tiles in the window. The hand-painted bowls make genuinely beautiful gifts and pack flat enough for hand luggage.
Supermarkets Worth Knowing
For self-catering guests in a Benidorm holiday rental, knowing your supermarkets matters. Here's the quick rundown:
- Mercadona (El Faro): Best all-rounder, great fresh produce, excellent own-brand wines from €3
- Consum (several locations): Good fresh fish and local fruit
- Lidl (Avenida del País Valenciano): Cheapest for basics, excellent Spanish charcuterie section
- Día (various): Convenient for top-ups, not the best quality
Local tip: Mercadona's house wine — the Hacendado range — is genuinely drinkable and costs less than a coffee. Stock the fridge when you arrive.
Souvenirs Worth Buying (and What to Skip)
I've been asked this question more times than I can count. Here's my honest guide:
Worth buying: - Hand-painted ceramics from the Old Town shops - Turron (nougat) from Jijona — the real stuff, not the supermarket versions - Local olive oil (look for Denominación de Origen Marina Alta or Alicante) - Valencian almonds — fresh, cheap, delicious - Espadrilles — Spain makes the world's best, and you can get genuine ones here for €15-25 - Paella rice (Arroz La Fallera or Bomba brand) — light to pack, brilliant to cook at home
Skip: - Anything with a bull silhouette on it (usually made in China) - "Handmade" ceramics in plastic wrapping from market stalls - Cheap sangria sets — they look fun, they break on the flight home
Shopping Hours: Don't Get Caught Out
Spanish shopping hours still confuse visitors. Most independent shops open 10am–2pm, close for lunch, then reopen 5pm–9pm. The big centres (El Faro, La Marina) tend to stay open continuously 10am–10pm. The market only runs Wednesday and Sunday mornings.
September is a good month because some shops that were on reduced August hours return to full schedule.
Book Direct and Save for Shopping Money
Here's a thought: if you book your Benidorm apartment direct with JV Properties rather than through Airbnb or Booking.com, you save up to 18% in platform fees. That's real money — enough to cover a proper market haul, a few bottles of local wine, and still have change left over. Our properties across Benidorm are available to book directly at bookings.jvproperties.es, with no hidden charges.
Check out our full range of Benidorm holiday rentals and see what's available for your dates.
The Bottom Line
Benidorm shopping rewards those who look beyond the main drag. The Wednesday/Sunday market is a genuine highlight — arrive early, bring cash, and go hungry so you can snack your way around. The Old Town boutiques are worth an hour of your time for quality souvenirs. And for self-catering guests, Mercadona is your best friend.
September is the sweet spot: warm, less crowded, end-of-season bargains in some stores. It's one more reason why autumn really is the best time to visit this endlessly surprising city.
