Spain is no longer the bargain it used to be. Nevertheless, the country offers unique handcrafted items: contemporary and antique paintings and sculpture, knotted rugs, guitars, ornate handmade shawls, decorative pottery, handmade furniture and ornamental combs and fans. Other items found in Spain are Lladro (Spanish porcelain), copper and steel wares, leather goods (purses, shoes, wallets), North African goods from Morocco and Algeria, and Spanish antiques (especially on Calle del Prado in Madrid). Regional specialties include various local liqueurs and wines, gold in Toledo, exquisite lace embroideries in the towns of Torrijos, Oropesa and Lagartera and ceramics in Talavera, Illescas, Cuenca, Numancia de la Sagra and Mariges (Valencia).

Spain has a long tradition in making leather goods (shoes, luggage, bags, coats, dresses, gloves, etc.). Clothing (original fashion-designed or ready-made). Embroidery and lace. Jewellery (classical or modern-design, as well as artisan gold and silver works). Ivory objects. Blown glass. Pottery. Antiques (some of the antique galleries in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville are among the best in Europe). Furniture. Interior-decorating items (the famous Lladro porcelains, irongrille designs, silver and other metal objects such as candelabra, trays, bowls, etc.). Toys. Musical Instruments.

Madrid and Barcelona are, of course, the major cities for shopping. In Madrid, the main commercial areas are: the Goya, General Mola and Serrano Disctric for exclusive fashions. Narvaez, Conde de Penalver for good ready-made items and the old downstowns are of Puerta del Sol, Alcala, Gran Via, Preciados and Arenal for almost everything. A must is the flea-market 'El Rastro', which takes place every Sunday morning, where you can find anything from a hat pin to an art masterpiece. In Barcelona, the Paseo de Gracia and Diagonal area for elegant shopping. The Ramblas and Plaza de Cataluna for almost anything. And the area around the church of Sta. Maria de los Reyes for antique galleries.

Other excellent areas for shopping are tourist centres, such as Torremolinos and Marbella in the Costa del Sol, Benidorm in the Costa Blanca, Playa de Aro in the Costa Brava, Reus in the Costa Dorada, Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands (mainly Tenerife and Gran Canaria) specially, since they are duty-free ports. Here, be prepared to bargain!