The Ultimate Shopping Guide in Tenerife From Markets to Malls

Shopping in Tenerife: Where to Go, What to Buy, and How to Save

Tenerife isn’t just beaches and volcanoes, it’s also one of the best places in Europe for affordable shopping. Thanks to the Canary Islands’ special tax status, prices on perfume, electronics, alcohol, and tobacco are noticeably lower than on mainland Spain or in the UK. Add a good mix of international high-street brands, local markets, and traditional Canarian products, and you’ve got a shopping destination that’s worth planning around.

This guide covers the main shopping areas, what’s actually cheaper (and what isn’t), the best markets, and practical tips for making the most of your shopping time in Tenerife.

Why Is Shopping Cheaper in Tenerife?

The short answer: tax. The Canary Islands don’t apply Spain’s standard 21% VAT (IVA). Instead, they have their own system called IGIC (Impuesto General Indirecto Canario), with a general rate of just 7%. On some goods the rate is even lower — clothing and shoes are taxed at 3%, and basic food items at 0%.

This 14-percentage-point difference compared to mainland Spain (and an even bigger gap vs. UK VAT at 20%) means genuine savings on many products. The categories where you’ll notice the biggest difference are perfume, cosmetics, electronics, alcohol, and tobacco — these are significantly cheaper than what you’d pay in the UK or northern Europe.

However, it’s important to be realistic. Everyday clothing from international chains (Zara, H&M, Mango) will be similar in price to what you’d find in any European city — the IGIC saving is there, but it’s modest on a €30 shirt. Where the savings really add up is on higher-value items: a €100 bottle of perfume, a new phone, or a case of local wine.

One thing to note: the Canary Islands are treated as outside the EU customs territory for tax purposes. If you’re flying back to the UK, you’ll go through the same customs rules as arriving from a non-EU country. Current UK allowances for personal goods from the Canary Islands include 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of fortified wine, and up to £390 worth of other goods per person.

Siam Mall: Tenerife’s Biggest Shopping Centre

If you’re staying in the south, Siam Mall in Costa Adeje is the main event. It’s Tenerife’s largest shopping centre — over 80 stores across two floors, open-air design with Thai-inspired architecture, and open 365 days a year.

The brand mix covers most of what you’d expect from a large European mall: Zara, H&M, Mango, Bershka, Stradivarius, JD Sports, Guess, Lacoste, Swarovski, Pandora, Calzedonia, Intimissimi, Massimo Dutti, and more. There’s also a large Lefties store (Zara’s outlet brand) which is popular for budget fashion, and a Primor for discounted perfumes and cosmetics.

The HiperDino supermarket inside the mall is useful for stocking up on local wine, olive oil, mojo sauce, and other food items to take home — often at better prices than airport shops.

Practical details: Siam Mall has 1,100 free parking spaces (ground level and underground) and runs a free shuttle bus with stops in Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Costa Adeje. It’s right next to Siam Park, so many people combine a shopping trip with a visit to the water park.

Main Shopping Streets

Beyond the malls, Tenerife has several excellent shopping streets worth exploring:

Calle del Castillo, Santa Cruz de Tenerife — The island’s main high street and the heart of shopping in the capital. It’s a long pedestrianised street lined with Spanish and international brands, independent shops, cafés, and the occasional street performer. This is where locals actually shop, so the atmosphere feels more authentic than resort-area malls. You’ll find El Corte Inglés (Spain’s major department store) at one end, along with Primark, Zara, and dozens of other stores.

Calle San Agustín and surrounds, La Laguna — Tenerife’s UNESCO-listed former capital has a completely different shopping vibe. The streets here are full of small independent boutiques, bookshops, craft stores, and artisan food shops set among beautiful colonial architecture. It’s the best place on the island for unique gifts and local crafts. La Laguna also has a vibrant café culture that makes browsing very pleasant.

Puerto de la Cruz — The main resort town in the north has a compact shopping centre and several pedestrian streets with a mix of tourist shops and local businesses. It’s less polished than Costa Adeje but more interesting for browsing, with better prices on some items and a stronger local character.

What to Buy in Tenerife

Here’s what’s genuinely worth buying in Tenerife — either because it’s cheaper than at home or because you can’t get it elsewhere:

Perfume and cosmetics. This is the biggest win for most shoppers. Stores like Primor (in Siam Mall and Santa Cruz) sell major brands at prices well below UK/German retail. The IGIC difference is most noticeable on premium fragrances. Airport duty-free shops at both Tenerife South and Tenerife North also offer competitive prices on perfume, cosmetics, and skincare.

Local wine. Tenerife has five denominations of origin and produces some genuinely interesting wines from volcanic soil — particularly whites and rosés. Bottles cost €5–15 in supermarkets and local shops, and are difficult or impossible to find outside the Canary Islands. The Malvasía grape variety is distinctive and makes an excellent souvenir. Bodegas in the north (Tacoronte-Acentejo region) and around Vilaflor in the south offer tastings and direct sales.

Mojo sauce. The iconic Canarian condiment — red (slightly spicy) and green (cilantro-based) varieties. Available everywhere from supermarkets to airport shops. Bottles travel well and make great gifts.

Aloe vera products. Tenerife grows aloe vera commercially, and local brands produce skincare creams, gels, and soaps at good prices. These are widely available in pharmacies, markets, and tourist shops.

Local cheese. Canarian cheeses (especially goat’s cheese) are excellent and award-winning. Vacuum-packed options are available at markets and HiperDino supermarkets for easy transport.

Honey rum (ron miel). A Canarian speciality — sweet, smooth, and very popular as a gift or after-dinner drink. Available in supermarkets from about €8–12 per bottle.

Electronics. Phones, tablets, cameras, and headphones can be cheaper than in the UK or mainland Europe, but shop at official retailers like Worten, MediaMarkt, or El Corte Inglés to ensure warranty and authenticity. Avoid tourist-area electronics shops selling unbranded goods at “discount” prices.

Tobacco and alcohol. Significantly cheaper than in the UK due to lower taxes. Just stay within the customs allowances for your home country.

Tenerife’s Best Markets

Markets in Tenerife are worth visiting as much for the atmosphere as the shopping. Here are the main ones:

Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, Santa Cruz — Tenerife’s most iconic market, housed in a beautiful building with Moorish-influenced architecture. The ground floor sells fresh produce, flowers, meat, and fish. Upstairs and in the surrounding stalls you’ll find local crafts, spices, cheeses, and other artisan products. It’s a working market used by locals daily, not a tourist attraction — which is exactly what makes it great. Open mornings, Monday to Saturday; busiest on Sundays when a flea market operates in the surrounding area.

Los Cristianos Market — One of the largest open-air markets in the south, held on Sundays and Thursdays. The selection leans heavily towards tourist goods — clothing, accessories, sunglasses, bags — and bargaining is expected. Quality varies, so inspect before you buy. It’s a fun experience and good for cheap beachwear and souvenirs.

Mercadillo del Agricultor, Adeje — A farmers’ market held on weekends where local producers sell fruits, vegetables, cheeses, wine, honey, and mojo sauces directly. This is the best place to buy authentic local food products at fair prices. The tropical fruits (mangoes, papayas, avocados — all grown locally) are excellent.

El Médano Market — A Saturday morning market with a mix of artisan crafts, handmade jewellery, clothing, and food stalls. The vibe is more bohemian than touristy, matching El Médano’s relaxed atmosphere. Good for unique, handmade souvenirs.

La Laguna Market — Various pop-up and regular markets operate in La Laguna’s historic streets, often featuring local artisans, second-hand goods, and food producers. Check local listings for specific dates.

Clothes Shopping in Tenerife

For clothing, Tenerife has the same Spanish high-street brands you’d find in Madrid or Barcelona — Zara, Mango, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti — at essentially the same prices (slightly lower thanks to IGIC). The main concentrations are at Siam Mall, Calle del Castillo in Santa Cruz, and the Centro Comercial Meridiano in Santa Cruz.

Lefties (Zara’s value brand) has a large store at Siam Mall and is popular for affordable basics and casual wear. Primark has a store on Calle del Castillo in Santa Cruz.

For something more unique, browse the independent boutiques in La Laguna or the surf/beach shops in El Médano. La Laguna in particular has small designer shops and vintage stores that you won’t find in the resort areas.

If you’re looking for summer clothes, beachwear, or sandals, Tenerife is a great place to stock up — the selection is geared towards warm-weather wear year-round, which can be hard to find in northern European shops during winter months.

Practical Shopping Tips

A few things worth knowing to shop smart in Tenerife:

Compare perfume prices before you fly. Check UK prices for specific fragrances you want, then compare at Primor or airport duty-free. The savings are real but vary by brand — some fragrances are 20–30% cheaper, others barely different.

Shop electronics at official retailers only. Worten and MediaMarkt guarantee genuine products with EU warranties. Small tourist-area electronics shops sometimes sell grey-market goods without proper warranties.

Markets expect bargaining; shops don’t. At open-air markets (Los Cristianos, etc.), negotiating on price is normal and expected. In shops and malls, prices are fixed.

Keep receipts. UK and non-EU travellers may be able to reclaim IGIC on larger purchases through tax-free shopping schemes. Look for “Tax Free” signs in participating stores and ask at the till.

Sunday opening varies. Siam Mall and most tourist-area shops are open seven days a week. Shops in Santa Cruz and La Laguna may close on Sundays, and some local businesses still close for lunch (roughly 2–5pm).

HiperDino is your friend. This is the main Canarian supermarket chain and by far the best place to buy wine, mojo sauce, local cheese, and other food souvenirs at local prices. There are branches everywhere, including inside Siam Mall.

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