Shopping · Tenerife · Spain
Shopping in Tenerife
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Shopping ranges from resort malls in Costa Adeje to the pedestrian streets of Santa Cruz and craft shops in La Orotava. Thanks to the islands' lower tax, perfume, alcohol and tobacco cost less than in mainland Spain. Best souvenirs: Mojo and gofio, Tenerife wine and Calado embroidery.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Mojo and gofio
Where to shop
Santa Cruz centre
Calle del Castillo and the surrounding pedestrian streets have Spanish chains, independent shops and the El Corte Inglés department store.
Costa Adeje
Plaza del Duque, Siam Mall and the shops along the Golden Mile cover international brands and beachwear.
La Orotava
Craft and embroidery shops around the Casa de los Balcones sell calado, the island's drawn-thread embroidery.
Markets
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
Santa Cruz's main food market for cheese, fruit, mojo and gofio, with a flea market alongside on Sunday mornings.
Farmers' markets
Mercadillos del agricultor held at weekends in towns such as Tacoronte sell local produce, wine and cheese straight from the growers.
What to buy
Mojo and gofio
Jars of red and green mojo and bags of gofio are light, inexpensive and sold in every supermarket.
Tenerife wine
Bottles of Malvasía or Listán Negro from the island's denominations; the Casa del Vino in El Sauzal has a wide selection.
Calado embroidery
Hand-worked drawn-thread tablecloths and napkins, a long-standing craft in La Orotava.
Timple
The small five-string Canarian guitar, sold in music shops and craft centres.
Palm honey
Miel de palma, a dark syrup tapped from Canary palms on La Gomera, is used on cheese and desserts.
Aloe vera products
Aloe grows widely in the Canaries, and gels and creams are sold in pharmacies and markets; check labels for the aloe content.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Carne fiesta, Barraquito, Tenerife wine and Honey rum. Guachinches and traditional bars, especially in the north and at village fiestas. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Adeje | $$$$ | Upmarket resort strip of Playa del Duque, Fañabé and Torviscas on the sunny southwest coast |
| Playa de las Américas | $$ | Package-holiday hub with surf breaks, the Veronicas bar strip and the Golden Mile |
| Los Cristianos | $$ | Former fishing port with calm beaches and the ferry terminal for La Gomera |
| El Médano | $$ | Windy, laid-back surf town beside Montaña Roja and the south airport |
| Puerto de la Cruz | $$ | Original northern resort with Loro Parque, Lago Martiánez and an old harbour |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | $$ | Working island capital with Carnival, a covered market and the Calatrava Auditorio |
| San Cristóbal de La Laguna | $$ | UNESCO-listed university town with colonial streets and tapas bars |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping is not expected. Locals leave small change in bars; in restaurants rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good service is appreciated.
- Greet with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' when entering small shops and bars.
- The Canary Islands use their own lower sales tax (IGIC) instead of mainland Spain's VAT, so fuel, alcohol and many everyday goods cost less.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in May; the busiest months are August and December.
- January: Festival de Música de Canarias — classical concerts (usually January–February)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for culture, shopping, food lovers and solo travellers
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Working island capital with Carnival, a covered market and the Calatrava Auditorio
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Tenerife?
Mojo and gofio, Tenerife wine, Calado embroidery and Timple.
+Where is the best shopping in Tenerife?
Santa Cruz centre: Calle del Castillo and the surrounding pedestrian streets have Spanish chains, independent shops and the El Corte Inglés department store.
+What are the best markets in Tenerife?
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África and Farmers' markets.