The sun shines, it's a beautiful day, but these cathedrals of spending are always full. Some are well designed: light and airy with high glass ceilings, and with plants and art exhibitions others are full-on, shop-till-you-drop Meccas with blaring music, glaring lights and tunnel-like walkways.
- La Cañada - Marbella (at junction of Motorway and road to Ojen) Telephone: 952 866 134
- Larios Centre - Malaga near main bus and Railway Station
- Marina Banus - Puerto Banus Telephone: 952 906 544
- Plaza Major - Malaga (near Airport, at junction of Motorway and Parador de Golf) Telephone: 952 247 580
- Rincon Centro Comercial - Just off the motorway as you approach Rincón de la Victoria from Málaga. It is on your left
- Rosaleda Centro Comercial - Malaga, take the Ciudad Jardín exit from the N-340 (direction Nerja) and follow the motorway until you see signs to La Rosaleda on the right.
Generally speaking, the newer the centre, the better the design and the facilities available. The three latest to be built in the Malaga area are the Ingenio, near Torre del Mar; Rincon Centro Comercial (link) near Rincon de la Victoria; and Plaza Mayor, between the airport and Torremolinos. The latter has a bowling alley, two swimming pools, restaurants with terraces and a large children's play area. All have state-of-the-art cinemas.
For those wishing to find everything under one roof but who still prefer shopping in more traditional establishments, there is of course, that great Spanish institution: El Corte Inglés. Harrods meets Marks & Spencers. A wedding-list sort of a store, with a customer service counter (still a rarity in Spain), easy credit and a great delivery service.
The best place to buy fruit and veg, as well as hunt out bargain clothes and household goods, remains the local market. This sets up each day of the week (except Sunday) in a different town. Some towns and neighbourhoods also have their own regular covered market. Atarazanas, Malaga Central Market is absolutely not to be missed.
The Spanish aren't really into second-hand goods, although where there are large expat populations and tourists this seems to be changing. Up and down the coast, antique markets-cum-car-boot sales held on Saturdays and Sundays are popular with tourists and locals alike.
