With street markets every day of the week, state of the art shopping malls in all major coastal towns, and the ultimate in temptingly chic designer boutiques in Málaga, Marbella and Puerto Banús, indulging in a little retail therapy is one of the many pleasures in store on the Costa del Sol.
For an infinity of highly acceptable souvenirs, unusual objets d’art and particularly affordable fashion accessories such as handbags and shoes, look no further than the colourful street markets. There are two that you certainly shouldn’t miss – the Tuesday market held in Fuengirola and reputed to be the largest in Andalucía, and the classy Saturday arts and crafts market near the Puerto Banús bullring.
If you’re on a self-catering holiday, all towns and villages hold their own weekly market specialising in locally grown produce. Larger resorts also have daily markets, although in tourist areas they are not necessarily the cheapest options. A visit to an inland market, while offering less choice, almost always means that your money will go considerably further.
For cutting-edge department store shopping comparable to the finest anywhere in Europe, a visit to El Corte Inglés (either in the centre of Málaga, or at Puerto Banús) is a must, and for high street sprees with everything conveniently under one roof, choose the Larios Centre (also a handy city centre spot to park the car), the Rosaleda (near the football pitch), and Centro Plaza (close to El Corte Inglés) all in Málaga; Plaza Mayor (a few minutes’ drive from the airport); the dynamic Miramar opened in Fuengirola (opposite the Sohail Castle) in 2004; and Marbella’s award-winning La Cañada.
To indulge your passion for designer labels, look no further than elitist Calle Larios (near the Cathedral in Málaga); the labyrinth of cobbled streets radiating outwards from world-famous Orange Square in Marbella’s captivating Old Town; and legendary celebrity haunt Puerto Banús, renowned for its ultra-chic boutiques showcasing the very latest of French, Italian, New York and Spanish catwalk fashion and accessories to die for. The majority of eclectic haute couture outlets are all housed in the landmark Marina Banús shopping gallery, with others to be found on just about every street corner of the Mediterranean’s most glamorous marina.
BUSINESS HOURS
Summer opening times vary enormously, with markets typically closing at 2pm, and smaller family businesses still respecting the traditional siesta, opening from 10am to 2pm and then 5pm to 8pm or later. Shopping malls and department stores tend to start at 10am and may close as late as 9 or 10pm, while in Puerto Banús, many are still trading at 11pm or even later.
PLAZA MAYOR LEISURE PARK
Plaza Mayor joins traditional Andalusian architecture to new technologies applied to leisure. The design on Plaza Mayor was inspired by the traditional architecture of Andalucía, recreating a typical Andalusian village, with its streets, plazas, façades, tile roofs, gardens and fountains. There is plenty of open space, with elaborate fountains, esplanades, and shady areas where visitors may rest. It has an area of 20,000 m2 of green areas, in which more than a thousand trees have been planted.
Water plays a key role in the complex, both as an attraction in its own right and as means of cooling the atmosphere. Fountains include the huge plant tub on Calle de la Redonda, and that in the Plaza del Agua, whose water jets are interactive with the visitors. There are also Arab-style irrigation channels, watering the orange trees in the Plaza del Azahar and leading to a fountain reminiscent of the Alambra in Granada.
A NEW CONCEPT OF LEISURE
Plaza Mayor was the first leisure park to be opened in Andalucía. The concept is unique and innovative: a space designed to contain a broad and exclusive range of leisure and recreational opportunities in the atmosphere of a typical Andalusian village. Plaza Mayor will keep every member of the family happily entertained… day and night, all year round with an enormous choice of activities from which to choose!
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Star attractions include Big Fun, with its 20 state-of-the-art ten pin bowling alleys, together with dance floor and a whole host of games for children of all ages. The YELMO IMAX CINEPLEX, the 20-screen cinema complex, offers all the latest releases - with regular programming of original version films in English - and one hall is equipped with the IMAX system, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the most spectacular advances in cinema technology. The centre is worth a visit for the inspired architecture alone, and in addition to more than 1,000 square metres of terraces, Solinca Health & Fitness Club an ultra modern gym, an entire street with 30 shops, in which you can find a Nike Factory Store, and two discotheques.
An amazing range of seventy bars and restaurants cater comprehensively for all tastes and budgets, with plenty of fast food establishments as well as eateries specializing in Spanish, International, American, Arabian, TexMex and Oriental cuisine.
Plaza Mayor is near Málaga airport, just off the Parador de Golf exit from the E-15, with free parking. It has its own train station on the Málaga-Fuengirola railway line, a bus stop from the EMT line 10, and a free bus service operates from several hotels in the Torremolinos and Málaga area.
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