Where do I buy groceries in Tacoronte and surroundings ?
In Tacoronte there is a LIDL, Hyperdino, Mercadona and bakeries that offer everything necessary. Each market has its advantages, which I will discuss below, but first, my recommendation: The Mercadillo de San Juan.
The weekly market "Mercadillo" in San Juan is about 2 km away from the apartments. Here you get on Saturday and Sunday from 08:00-14:30 fresh vegetables and fruits from local cultivation at very reasonable prices. Papaya and bananas are available all year round. Mangos only in Dec-Feb, and especially the delicious tropical fruit Mamey, which belongs to the family of Sapote is unfortunately only from about October - March available at one stand. Be sure to try it.
There is also fresh German style bread and sweets of all kinds. Many of them are made with almonds. Also delicious is the honey with intense flavors of the flowers from which the bees have nibbled, e.g. Lavanda, Tajinaste ...
Note: Take a large bag and cash. Better to be there before 10:30, because of chaotic traffic conditions and because now everyone wants to shop.
Supermarkets in Tacoronte
Los mejores precios de Canarias is the slogan and the advertising promise of the supermarket with the smiling dinosaur. Is it true?
We buy there fresh meat at the counter, fresh fish and the many-sided sausage and cheese varieties at the counter. To be served, you have to draw a slip of paper with a number and wait. The local population likes to shop on Sunday, which is why it is crowded then. Better to shop another day or be there at the early hours. Hiperdino carries a good selection of organic products. The wine selection is also good for a supermarket, especially the local wines from the island are plentiful here. Prices for fruits and vegetables rather high, selection reduced, same for diary products.
Advantage Hiperdino: Many parking spaces in the parking garage for free, the stairs lead to the top of the main street and the market is also open on Sundays.
Mercadona Tacoronte
Meanwhile there are two. The smaller Mercadona is directly in the city and the large large Mercadona other opposite the new LIDL about 5 km outside the city.
Mercadona is a Spanish supermarket chain from Valencia. A family business, which was founded like LIDL and ALDI by an ambitious family. Here you get good, fresh fish, very good hygiene products at unbeatable prices . Shampoo and also 100% Aloe Vera cream can be bought here. There is also a counter with the largest selection of Serrano Iberico! Every now and then an employee cuts paper-thin slices from the smoked leg of an Iberico pig. Pasing by you will smell the seductive sweet smell. Prices range from 20 € per kg to 120 € per kg! And you can taste the difference. The ham is offered vacuum packed and is therefore suitable as a souvenir for home. The Rioja wines are also unbeatable in price. For a measly 4-5 € you get a good Reserva and Gran Reserva, which does it for the daily needs. Swabians listen up: price-performance ratio is right. Other alcoholic beverages also cheap.
Good parking facilities. Closed on Sundays. Open until 22:00
LIDL Tacoronte
Well, everybody knows it. There is not so much to say about it, except that the market has the widest assortment. Especially dairy products are best available here. In my opinion, the quality of wine at LIDL has declined significantly and is now much better at the new ALDI. On the other hand, the beer selection and prices are the best here. There is Paulaner and alternatively Patronus wheat beer, sometimes Franziskaner.
Good parking, opposite Mercadona. Closed on Sundays.
Supermarket in Puerto de la Cruz
Alcampo is a French supermarket chain with branches in major cities. It's a huge all-rounder market, with everything from T-shirts, TVs, kitchenware to groceries. In Puerto (and also Santa Cruz) it is located in a large shopping the center Centro Commercial la Villa, where many other fashion stores are located. Also on site is the cinema chain Yelmo in which you can see movies in the original (English) with Spanish subtitles on Tuesday.
Quite worthwhile for a bulk purchase. Large selection of fresh fish, meat, vegetables, fruit. And of course wine. Oh yes, especially recommended is the coffee selection here. Getting good coffee is a real problem on the island. If you want to make me happy, bring coffee beans. God bless.
Further recommendations of special stores on demand, maybe also at this place at a later time.
Shopping, Shopping
If you have time and are on vacation, you like to go shopping. Sure we do too. Where to go?
Most of the boutiques and small stores can be found in La Laguna, the student-owned, somewhat alternative colonial town. The figurehead of a colonial town. But that belongs in the tourist section. My shopping recommendations are limited, visitors will certainly find much more in a short time, so briefly this:
In Puerto there is a lot of tourist junk with the usual Chinese cheap offers of colorful textiles and unnecessary odds and ends. However, there are always nice boutiques. We like the Koala Bay in calle Quintana 16. The boutique offering colorful fashion for men and women alike. The shop is located in an old wooden rich Canarian house with a patio and 2 floors. Entering the store you will perceive the good smells ment to entice customers to buy. Also nicely decorated. A second shop is further down toward the ocean at call Cristobal Colón 10.
Who likes to look around on flea markets for entertainment, will find in Puerto de la Cruz and especially in Santa Cruz opportunity to buy useful and amazing.
Rastro Municipal de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
When: Every Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00
Where: Flea market in Santa Cruz
Just around the corner from the Mercado Africa and the TEA art museum. Attention - extra parking. Park far away, if necessary on the large square next to the auditorium, where of course everyone will try. So get up early.
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa is a large open market for food and luxury food of all kinds as well as fish restaurants in the basement.
Absolutely worth seeing, also belongs to the category of tourist attractions. Across the street is the Museum of Modern Art (TEA). See my post about it.
Mercado/Rastro Puerto de la Cruz
The flea market in Puerto de la Cruz takes place on Wednesday and Saturday from 09:00 - 14:00.
Saturdays are better. Sale of handicrafts, paintings and much more. Website of the Rastro - Mercado Municipal de Puerto de la Cruz.
