Which centre to choose
| Centre | Who it suits | Access | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Príncipe Pío | City shopping, rainy days | Metro lines 6 and 10, Príncipe Pío | 10:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday, 11:00–22:00 Sunday |
| La Vaguada | Large neighbourhood centre, many shops | Barrio del Pilar metro (line 9) | 10:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday |
| ABC Serrano | Boutiques near Salamanca, with the Sweet Space Museum | Calle de Serrano 61 | Hours to be checked |
| Madrid Xanadú | Family outing: aquarium and shopping centre | Car or intercity bus | 10:00–22:00 every day (2024 source) |
| Las Rozas Village | Discounted brands | Buses 625, 628, 629 from Moncloa, or shuttle | 10:00–21:00, seasonal |
The centres are free to enter; only purchases cost money.
In the city: Príncipe Pío, La Vaguada and ABC Serrano
Príncipe Pío, paseo de la Florida 2, occupies the former Norte station, near the Royal Palace and the Parque del Oeste. Príncipe Pío metro (lines 6 and 10) and the branch line to Ópera serve it. Published shop hours: 10:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday, 11:00–22:00 Sunday, with variations by shop. It is the easiest to combine with a visit to the Royal Palace.
La Vaguada, in the north of the city, is a large neighbourhood centre. The Madrid tourist office gives 10:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday; a 2024 article stated 11:00–21:00 on Sundays and public holidays, to be confirmed. Metro: Barrio del Pilar and Herrera Oria (line 9), Peñagrande (line 7).
ABC Serrano, calle de Serrano 61, is a smaller centre in the former headquarters of the ABC newspaper, in the Salamanca district. It also houses the Sweet Space Museum, useful for an outing with children.
Xanadú: the centre with the aquarium
Madrid Xanadú, in Arroyomolinos, south-west of the city, is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00 according to a 2024 article; it only closes on 1 and 6 January and 25 December. It houses the Atlantis Aquarium, which makes it a family outing rather than a simple shopping trip. You get there by car or intercity bus: check the line and the last return before leaving.
Las Rozas Village: the outlet
Las Rozas Village, on the A-6, a few kilometres from Madrid, brings together more than 100 boutiques for fashion, shoes, accessories, jewellery, beauty and home, with international and Spanish brands. The outlet announces 10:00–21:00 every day, with seasonal hours, closed on 1 and 6 January and 25 December.
To get there without a car, intercity lines 625, 628 and 629 leave from the Moncloa interchange (about 45 to 50 minutes; one guide gives €2.60 each way, a fare to be confirmed). A "Shopping Express" shuttle also links the centre: a reseller lists it at €18 for an adult and €9 for a child up to 12, leaving from the plaza de Oriente or the plaza de España depending on the source, so check the departure point and times on the outlet's website. Tickets can be bought on board or in advance.
Tax refund: getting your VAT back
Travellers whose habitual residence is outside the European Union can claim a VAT refund on their purchases. The seller must check your identity and residence at the time of sale: keep your passport and the invoice. When leaving from mainland Spain, the refund form (DER) is validated electronically at a customs kiosk, with no paper needed; the goods must leave the EU in your personal luggage. The Spanish tax agency states no minimum amount on the page consulted: ask the shop for its threshold before buying. Arrive at the airport with time to spare for the validation.
What to choose in half a day
Rain or heat: Príncipe Pío, then the Royal Palace. Discounted brands: Las Rozas Village, allowing half a day with the journey. With a family: Xanadú and the aquarium. On a Sunday, check the hours, and see also shops open on Sundays in Madrid; for sale periods, read the sales in Madrid, and for a gift to take home, souvenirs from Madrid.
