Being a small island with a relatively low population, Lanzarote is not what you describe as a shopper’s paradise, and most people that live or visit here are totally fine with that. Of course there are ample shops in some parts of the island such as Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Arrecife and Deiland Shopping Centre but the island has much bigger strengths. Some of the big names are starting to arrive on the island such as Mercadona and H&M, and this will surely increase as more people from abroad move here.
What Lanzarote (currently) lacks in big name brands though, it makes up for with small independent and artisan stores and markets. There are a number of thriving markets around the island such as in Arrecife high street, Playa Blanca, and Puerto del Carmen’s old town harbour. These are great to see as these are local people running their own businesses, and often selling locally produced items. The biggest and best market by far though happens every Sunday in Lanzarote’s old capital of Teguise.
This market runs from 9am to 2pm each Sunday, and is one of the main tourist attractions on the island. There are literally bus loads of people arriving in Teguise every ten minutes or so on Sunday to see this wonderful event. It is great to see so many people walking around enjoying themselves, and it is great for the local economy. Unlike with big brand name superstores where the profits often leave Lanzarote and head to the company headquarters abroad, the profits from these market stalls stay with the locals that work there every week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeTNd3n_Rmc
There are so many different things on offer at the market that you will be spoilt for choice of what to buy. There is hand made jewellery, loads of aloe vera products, art, books, clothes, house hold decorations like candles, handmade soaps and beauty products, and lots of stores specialising in individual products like lovely handmade bookmarks, or handmade hanging wooden flower pot holders. These kind of products are quite unique and not easy to find elsewhere, so they make great gifts.
There is also a special food section with lots of products unique to Lanzarote or the Canary Islands such as Lanzarotian wine, or a stall selling cactus based food such as delicious cactus omelet or cactus jams.
If you are staying in Lanzarote for a week or more then we definitely recommend a trip to the Sunday market in Teguise. You will get a real flavour of Lanzarote and Canarian culture, with a real vibrancy and good vibe. In addition Teguise has centuries of tradition and history with some really interesting and beautiful features such as the impressive church, and square with an attractive fountain. As well as the food from the market stalls there are a huge number of different bars, cafes and restaurants where you can sit and put your feet up after exploring the market. These are perfect to sit at and people watch, with delicious local and international flavours and often live music to enjoy!
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– See more at: http://lanzaroteassociation.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/teguise-market-every-sunday-has.html#sthash.EgbYe1cr.dpuf
