Shopping
Shopping Ideas, What to Buy, Opening Hours & Tax Refund
Spain (and therefore Tenerife) is still one of the cheapest countries in Western Europe with a wide range of food-stuffs, textiles and crafts from which to choose.
What to Buy
Jewellery is a speciality, often featuring jet from the Northwest, silver from Salamanca, cultured pearls from Mallorca, and the unique jet and gold damascene work of Toledo's artisans. Clothing and leather goods tend to be good value everywhere.
Antiques can be a good buy, and the bigger towns usually have interesting markets. Wrought iron work can be found in Logroņo, Seville and the Balearic islands.
As for food, Chorizo and Serrano ham are national specialities popular all over Spain. Turron is a nougat-like dessert that makes a good present and comes from the Alicante region.
There is also excellent quality olive oil and a good range of cheeses to be found throughout the country. The most famous wines are probably the red Rioja and the sparkling Cava. Many of the Valdepenas wines are underrated and of a very high standard.
Another idea for an unusual and practical souvenir is a paella serving dish.
Opening Hours
Shops are generally open between the following hours and closed during siesta:
| Morning hours | 09h00/10h00 - 13h00/13h30 |
| Siesta | 13h00/13h30 - 16h00/17h00 |
| Afternoon hours | 16h00/17h00 - 20h00/21h00 |
Shops are often closed on Saturday afternoon and/or Sundays.
Tax Refund
After visiting Spain tourists from outside the EU can apply for a tax refund on goods bought within the country.
A sales tax (VAT) of 16% is levied on most goods and services in Spain. Most countries offering a tax refund specify a minimum amount that must be spent in a particular shop to claim a refund. In Spain, the minimum purchase to qualify for a refund is EUR90.16. To reclaim tax you need to request a VAT refund request form when you make a purchase, which states the amount of refund due. These documents must be stamped by customs officials as you leave the country and the refund will be processed and sent to you.
Alternatively, you can purchase goods from shops participating in "Europe Tax-free Shopping" programme (look out for the ETS logo displayed in the window). Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping Cheque showing the refund you are owed. As you leave the country, customs officials will stamp your cheques. You can claim your refund from the Europe Tax-free Shopping desk or have it sent to you.