is one of my favourite countries to visit and Madrid is a wonderful place to shop for fashionable, funky or stylish European clothing at prices that won't break the bank. In the streets around Madrid's Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, in the heart of the city, you will find an abundance of apparel stores, with some of the newest European designs along Calle de Preciados or Gran Via.
Zara (32 Gran Via 32, tel: 34 91 522 9727; www.zara.com) is one of 's most popular fashion chains, with men's and women's stores, as well as a homeware division. Its latest fashion creations are reasonably priced. Ladies' designs fall into distinct categories such as Simple Chic (flowing folk skirts with simply cut coats), New Military (double-breasted coats with metallic buttons, wide belts and decorative pockets), British Countryside (woollen jackets, satin trousers, striped blouses and brandy-toned boots) and City Romance (denim, wool and classic cuts). A range of colourful knitwear in a number of basic designs starts at Euro12 ($110), ladies' collared T-shirts and tank tops at Euro8, and shirts and blouses at Euro14.
Bershka is another chain hawking trendy street fashion for women, selling summer tops from Euro4.90 and jackets from Euro35.90.
Meanwhile, at Intimissimi, you can buy men's and ladies' underwear. Lacy lingerie sets start at Euro14.80. Atrezzo is a men's store with woollen trousers from Euro39, suits from Euro100 and jackets from Euro 99.
Herero Piel (7 Calle de Preciados, tel: 34 91 521 2990) has soft designer leather jackets for Euro104 in a range of colours such as black, red, yellow, blue and green. The store also sells well-crafted boots and shoes.
Spanish shoes are recognised for solid workmanship and creative designs, and Bolsos is one shop with a large selection. Its range of suede boots costs from Euro29 and comes in various shades of brown and grey. Its collection of colourful funky designer rubber boots also retails from Euro 29. Rival shoe store Tacones has a similar range as well as an extensive choice of embossed leather cowboy boots in black, blue, grey and several shades of brown from Euro49. Fight your way through the front door at Bronzo, a shop with shelves of colourful slippers, sandals and shoes starting at Euro 6.
For fashionable baubles, belts and beads, there's Linea 10. Moda Factory, meanwhile, has a wide range of sunglasses from international designers, including Calvin Klein, Escada, Guess? and Christian Dior. Pick up five pairs of colourfully designed socks at Calzedonia for Euro11.80. If you're into lace shawls, Artesania Reyes is the place to go to, offering them from Euro18. It also sells pillow cases from Euro7.78 and table settings from Euro13.
Cortefiel (13 Calle de Preciados, tel: 34 91 522 6567) is one of the largest Spanish clothing retailers and stocks elegant apparel. This season's ladies' lace-embroidered coats cost from Euro295. El Corte Ingl (1 Calle de Preciados, tel: 34 913 798 000) is 's largest department store chain and stocks everything from soft fluffy toys to iPods. Keep your eyes peeled for bargains such as marked-down designer leather jackets for Euro 100
