Shopping and markets
Murcia, Spain's seventh largest city, offers plenty of opportunities for a day of shopping, including a visit to the covered mercado de Veronicas.
In the shopping streets and shopping centres
All major Spanish and international chain shops are represented in the city: Zara, H&M, El Corte Inglés, Massimo Dutti, Springfield, Jack & Jones, Nespresso, Cortefiel, Pikolinos, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Blanco, Mango, etc.
Most shops are located on and around the Gran Via.
With the exception of department stores, shops close at 2pm in the afternoon, reopening at 5pm and staying open until 9pm or 9.30pm.
The best accessible covered car parks are 'Libertad' (Plaza de la Fuensanta) and 'Glorieta de España' (Plaza de la Glorieta).
THE city's covered market
The mercado de Veronicas is the city's covered market, designed by architect Cerdán and finished in 1916.
The market is located opposite the Malecón and the botanical garden.
You can buy all products from the huerta and from the sea.
Opening hours: the market is open until 2pm.
The nearest (indoor) shopping centre is "Dos Mares" in San Pedro del Pinatar (about 15 minutes away).
It is open daily (including Sundays and public holidays) from 10am to 10pm.
There is a Carrefour hypermarket in the shopping centre.
Route: take the C-3319 towards the coast and in San Javier turn onto the AP-7 motorway towards Alicante; a few kilometres further on you will see the Dos Mares shopping centre on the right-hand side of the motorway (exit 777 - San Pedro del Pinatar).
La Zenia Boulevard
La Zenia Boulevard is a brand new (open-air) shopping centre near La Zenia and Playa Flamenca about 25 minutes from La Torre.
Route: take the C-3319 towards the coast and in San Javier, turn onto the AP-7 motorway towards.
Take exit 763. As the stretch after the Campoamor exit is paying, it is better to leave the motorway in Campoamor and continue from there on the N-332, towards Torrevieja.
On the N-332, take the exit for AP-7 San Miguel de Salinas (Carretera de Villamartín).
Website:http://zeniaboulevard.es
Centro Commercial Nueva Condomina and Thader
The "Thader" (outdoor) and "Nueva Condomina" (indoor) shopping centres are about 30 minutes from La Torre on both sides of the "Autovia de Murcia" towards Alicante.
Route: take the C-3319 towards Murcia and continue to follow the "Autovia de Murcia" (A-30) towards Alicante.
Take exit 153B (Albacete - Murcia).
You can also take the tram in Murcia city (Plaza Circular) to Nueva Condomina (ticket: 1.40 EUR).
Both commercial centres are open Monday-Saturday from 10am-2pm.
Websites:http://www.thader.net/ and http://www.ccnuevacondomina.com/
Espacio Mediterraneo
The shopping centre "Espacio Mediterraneo" is open 365 days a year is located about 20 minutes from La Torre just before Cartagena.
All major chains are represented there: H&M, Primark, Zara, Zara Kids, (Sfera), C&A, Springfield Man, Springfield Women, Jack Jones, Primark, HiperCarrefour, Mediamarkt, Decathlon, etc.
Route: take the A-30 towards Cartagena and take exit 191 (Torreciega/Pol. Industrial).
Website:http://www.espaciomediterraneo.com/
