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Best supermarkets in Madrid: Where to go grocery shopping?
New to the capital of Spain? Read this article and discover the 5 best supermarkets in Madrid for your shopping.
Are you in Spain’s capital just for a vacation, or planning to stay a while? One of the first practical things you’ll need to figure out is where to do your grocery shopping in Madrid. That’s why we’ve put this article together, to walk you through the different kinds of stores you’ll find, from big international chains to the small traditional neighborhood shops.
This way you’ll get a sense of their prices, what products they carry, where they’re located, their opening hours, and how easy they are to reach. Having this information will help you pick the stores closest to where you live and the ones that best fit your lifestyle. So, ready to go shopping in Madrid?
What types of stores are there in Madrid?
In Madrid you’ll find all sorts of supermarkets where you can do your monthly shopping, your weekly stock-up, or just grab what you need for the day. Whether you’re here as a tourist, a digital nomad, a student, or simply planning to stay for a while, it helps to know which stores are closest to home and which ones match your shopping style. Here are the main types of places you’ll come across:
- Hypermarkets: These are large stores usually found on the outskirts of the city or inside shopping centers, like Carrefour or Alcampo. They’re known for offering a wide range of products and plenty of deals, which makes them a good choice when you’re doing a big shop. You’ll need some form of transport to get there, but they do provide free parking.
- Chain supermarkets: These mid-sized supermarkets can be found in almost every neighborhood, with chains like Mercadona, Dia, or Lidl. They offer competitive prices, a good selection of brands, and are easy to reach from home. Many of them also provide parking.
- Convenience stores: You’ll also come across smaller convenience-style supermarkets in central areas, such as Carrefour Express or Supercor. They stay open late, so while the prices are higher, they’re a lifesaver if you run out of something after regular stores have closed.
- Traditional markets: These markets are usually located in the city center and bring together different stalls for meat, fish, fruit, and baked goods. What really stands out is the freshness of the products and the reasonable prices.
- Neighborhood stores: And finally, there are the traditional neighborhood shops, bakeries, greengrocers, and corner stores that you will often find right on your street. They may be small, but they offer a friendly and personal touch.
The most popular supermarkets in Madrid
Next, we will introduce five of the most well-known supermarkets in Madrid where you can do all kinds of shopping. While the cost of living in the capital is among the highest in the country, which affects food prices as well, knowing where to look lets you compare options and choose what suits you best.
Some of these stores are smaller neighborhood shops, perfect for everyday items like bread or fruit. Larger supermarkets, on the other hand, are designed for your weekly or monthly shopping and often have deals and promotions. So get ready to fill your shopping cart!
1. Mercadona
You have probably come across this supermarket chain in Madrid. It is one of the largest in Spain, founded in Valencia in 1977 by the Cárnicas Roig Group. Today, it has 1,602 stores across Spain, including 163 in the capital, 63 in Portugal, and employs around 110,000 people.
Mercadona has its own brands, such as Hacendado for food, Deliplus for personal care and cosmetics, and Bosque Verde for cleaning products. Their prices are competitive and often lower than those at other stores. Here are a few examples:
- Loaf of bread: $0.70
- Whole milk (1L): $1.20
- Macaroni (1 kg): $1.40
- Rice (1 kg): $1.52
- Toilet paper (12 rolls): $5.27
Inside, you will also find a fish department with fresh products and a section for ready-to-eat meals, which is one of their highlights. They are usually open from 9:00 am to 9:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cheaper own-brand products | Closed on Sundays |
| Online shopping with home delivery | No fresh meat counter |
| Stores well distributed throughout the city | Not many international brands |
2. Carrefour
The second supermarket we want to introduce in Madrid is the French chain Carrefour, which opened its first store in Barcelona in 1973. Carrefour comes in different formats, including hypermarkets, Carrefour Market, and Carrefour Express. Some of the highlights are the fresh meat and fish sections, their organic products, and promotions like buy three for the price of two, such as the following:
- Tuna (8-can pack): $7.72
- Mineral water (6.25 L): $2.57
- Greek yogurt (6 units): $2.11
- Macaroni (500 g): $0.88
- Loaf of bread: $0.57
Carrefour has a strong presence in the country, with over 200 hypermarkets and more than 800 smaller stores. It is common to find a Carrefour Express in central Madrid open even on Sundays and holidays. Opening hours vary by location. For example, hypermarkets are usually open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, while Express stores often stay open until midnight.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| They sell food, clothing, and appliances | Hypermarkets far from the city center |
| Fresh meat and fish | May be more expensive without discounts |
| Open on holidays and Sundays |
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3. Sánchez Romero
If you care more about quality than price, one of the most upscale supermarkets in Madrid is the gourmet chain Sánchez Romero. Founded in 1954 on La Castellana, it now has 10 locations in the city and is a benchmark for premium food in the capital.
It stands out for offering high-end products, both national and international, that you can only find in these stores. They are located on Calle Castelló, Corazón de María, Paseo de La Castellana, and in some shopping centers such as Arturo Soria. The stores are usually open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and here are a few examples of their prices:
- Beef steak (1 kilo): $140.49
- Cooked ham (1 kilo): $25.71
- Ercolina pears (1 kilo): $7.57
- Organic eggs (6): $7.14
- Pasta (400 g): $1.86
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Gourmet and exclusive products | High prices |
| Excellent personalized service | Only 10 stores |
| Express home delivery | Not for everyday shopping |
4. Mercado de San Miguel (central market)
Another option besides traditional supermarkets in Madrid is the city’s central markets, such as Mercado de San Miguel, located in Plaza Mayor and over 100 years old. Today it has 20 stalls representing different regions, where you can sample Spanish cuisine, and it is popular with both locals and tourists.
Here you can find fresh fish and meat, high-quality cold cuts, fruits and vegetables, as well as gourmet tapas. This mercado is open every day from 10:00 am to midnight, and sometimes stays open a little later on weekends.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Cuisine from various cities | No parking |
| Fresh produce | Higher prices than in neighborhood stores |
| Right in the center of Madrid | No online shopping |
5. Ultramarinos Octavio
If you prefer shopping at traditional stores instead of supermarkets in Madrid, there are small businesses called ultramarinos scattered across different neighborhoods, such as Ultramarinos Octavio, in the mercados of San Antón in Chueca, Barceló in Tribunal, and on Calle Cea Bermúdez.
Founded in 1970, this shop is known for its high-quality, fresh, and artisanal products. You can find over 150 different cheeses from around the world, including Camembeso at $12.77, Olavidia at $15.11, and Hatillo de Cabra at $18.60.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Family-run business | Only three locations |
| Fresh, artisanal products | Higher prices than supermarkets |
| Local producers | Part-time hours, closes at noon |
Other notable stores and department stores in Madrid
Shopping isn’t just about food. In addition to getting to know the main supermarkets in Madrid, it’s also useful to know where to find other types of stores and outlets for clothes, electronics, furniture, or home decor.
1. El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés is Spain’s most well-known department store chain and a true Madrid landmark, with its flagship on Calle Preciados. Founded in 1940, it now has more than 90 locations across Spain and Portugal. In Madrid, you can visit stores on Preciados, Goya, Castellana, Serrano, and Princesa, among other areas.
What can you buy here? Almost anything you can think of, since each floor focuses on a different category: fashion, shoes, beauty, electronics, home appliances, furniture, or gourmet food. Prices tend to be a bit higher than in specialty shops, but you get high quality and reliable after-sales service. The stores are open every day from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Wide variety of products in one place | Higher prices |
| Reliable after-sales service and warranty | Usually crowded |
| Centrally located stores | Some products do not have as much variety |
2. MediaMarkt
If you need to upgrade your computer, get a new smartphone or TV, or replace any cables at home, MediaMarkt is the place to go. This German chain has over 1,000 stores across 13 countries. In Madrid, you can find it on Castellana, in Vallecas, at Plaza del Carmen, and in fourteen other locations.
Prices are very competitive, with special promotions like tax-free days, where you can find a laptop starting at $350 or a 55-inch TV from $585. The store is open every day from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Installation service | Very busy |
| Competitive prices | Sometimes not enough staff to serve customers |
| Wide variety of brands and models | Warranties and returns can be slow |
3. Primark
If you need new clothes, head to Gran Vía and explore this massive store that takes up an entire building in central Madrid. This Irish chain is known for affordable fashion for the whole family, along with accessories, shoes, and home items.
You will find very affordable prices compared to other fashion stores, with t-shirts starting at $4.10, jeans from $14.05, and shoes from $9.37. The quality is basic, but the designs are up-to-date and the stock changes frequently. The store is open every day from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Very low prices | Very basic quality clothing |
| Open every day | Very crowded stores |
| Wide variety of clothing and accessories | Lack of staff to serve so many people |
Frequently asked questions about the best supermarkets in Madrid
Of all the ones we’ve seen, Carrefour has very competitive offers if you buy in bulk, and Mercadona is best for everyday shopping.
Carrefour and El Corte Inglés Supermercados have the largest selection of foreign brands.
You can buy gourmet products at Sánchez Romero, El Corte Inglés Supermercados, and markets such as the Mercado de San Miguel.
There are some 24-hour stores, but most supermarkets close at night, usually between 9:00 and 10:00 pm. Some Carrefour Express locations, however, stay open until midnight.
The main difference in price is that traditional mercados offer fresh, high-quality products, especially meat, fish, and fruit. For this reason, their prices tend to be higher.
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