Where do people in Madrid buy groceries?
Madrid has dozens of covered municipal markets where residents buy fish, meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables, such as Mercado de Antón Martín, Mercado de la Cebada in La Latina and Mercado de Chamberí. Mercado de San Miguel near Plaza Mayor is mostly a gourmet tasting hall, priced for visitors rather than weekly shopping.
Supermarkets of every size are spread across all districts, and many open on Sundays. Municipal market stalls are busiest on Saturday mornings, and many close after lunch. El Rastro, the large Sunday market in La Latina, sells clothing, antiques and household items rather than groceries.
How do you get around Madrid and what do daily costs look like?
Madrid's metro, city buses and suburban trains are the usual way to get around. Fares are loaded on a rechargeable public transport card, and contactless bank cards are increasingly accepted at metro gates.
Typical small spends are coffee with milk at a bar, a pastry or churros in the morning and tapas in the evening. On weekdays many restaurants offer a menú del día, a fixed-price lunch with several courses and a drink, which is usually good value. Tipping is not expected; leaving small change or rounding up is common.
How do Madrid prices compare with the rest of Spain?
As the capital and a major visitor city, Madrid tends to have higher prices for eating out and services than smaller Spanish cities and rural areas, while supermarket shelf prices from national chains are closer across the country. Within the city, terraces on the main squares and streets of the centre charge noticeably more than bars in residential districts such as Chamberí, Arganzuela or Usera.
To stretch a budget, buy fresh food at a municipal market, eat your main meal at lunchtime with a menú del día, and ask for tap water, which is safe to drink.
What things cost in Madrid
| Product | Local product name | Price per unit | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk - 1 L | UHT milk, full fat | €0.96 / 1 L | 1 L, 6 L |
| Eggs - 10 pieces | Standard eggs | €2.38 / 10 pieces | 12 pieces |
| Rice - 1 kg | White rice, standard | €1.60 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Pasta - 500 g | Dried pasta | €0.73 / 0.5 kg | 500 g, 1 kg |
| Bread - 500 g | White sliced bread | €0.93 / 0.5 kg | 820 g, 450 g |
| Cooking oil - 1 L | Sunflower oil | €1.79 / 1 L | 1 L, 5 L |
| Chicken - 1 kg | Whole fresh chicken | €4.25 / 1 kg | 1.9 kg, 1.72 kg |
| Beef - 1 kg | Boneless beef (cubes / cuts) | €18.90 / 1 kg | 420 g, 350 g |
| Ground beef - 1 kg | Ground beef | €10.90 / 1 kg | 500 g, 1 kg |
| Potatoes - 1 kg | Potatoes | €1.27 / 1 kg | 5 kg, 3 kg |
| Tomatoes - 1 kg | Tomatoes | €2.45 / 1 kg | 1.11 kg, 1.12 kg |
| Onions - 1 kg | Onions | €1.50 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Bananas - 1 kg | Bananas | €2.38 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Apples - 1 kg | Red apples, variety not stated | €1.90 / 1 kg | 1.5 kg, 1 kg |
| Oranges - 1 kg | Oranges | €2.15 / 1 kg | 1 kg |
| Yogurt - 1 kg | Plain full-fat yogurt | €1.70 / 1 kg | 750 g, 960 g |
| Drinking water - 1.5 L | Bottled drinking water | €0.80 / 1.5 L | 9 L |
| Shampoo - 400 ml | Shampoo | €1.22 / 0.4 L | 400 ml, 1 L |
| Shower gel - 400 ml | Shower gel | €0.67 / 0.4 L | 750 ml, 1 L |
| Bar soap - 100 g | Bar soap | €0.99 / 0.1 kg | 125 g, 360 g |
| Liquid soap - 500 ml | Liquid soap | €1.05 / 0.5 L | 500 ml |
| Toothpaste - 100 ml | Toothpaste | €2.88 / 0.1 L | 100 ml, 75 ml |
| Toothbrush - 1 piece | Toothbrush | €0.34 / 1 piece | 4 pieces |
| Deodorant - 150 ml | Deodorant | €1.71 / 0.15 L | 200 ml |
| Toilet paper - 4 rolls | Toilet paper | €1.69 / 4 pieces | 12 pieces, 8 pieces |
| Paper towels - 2 rolls | Paper towels | €1.53 / 2 pieces | 3 pieces |
| Laundry detergent - 1.5 L | Laundry detergent | €2.34 / 1.5 L | 3 L |
| Dishwashing liquid - 500 ml | Dishwashing liquid | €1.32 / 0.5 L | 1.3 L, 900 ml |
| Multi-purpose cleaner - 1 L | Multi-purpose cleaner | €2.60 / 1 L | 750 ml |
| Trash bags - 20 pieces | Trash bags | €0.90 / 20 pieces | 40 pieces |
| Basic cotton T-shirt - 1 piece | Basic cotton T-shirt | €7.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Jeans - 1 pair | Jeans | €25.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Trousers - 1 pair | Chino or cotton trousers | €25.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Socks - 3-pack | Socks | €10.49 / 3 pieces | 2 pieces |
| Towel - 50 x 90 cm | Towel | €3.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Basic jacket - 1 piece | Padded winter jacket | €39.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Single bed linen set - 1 set | Single bed linen set | €10.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Pillow - 1 piece | Pillow | €4.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Blanket - 1 piece | Blanket | €4.49 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Frying pan - 24 cm | Frying pan | €5.49 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Cooking pot - 24 cm | Cooking pot | €9.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| LED bulb - 9W | LED bulb | €3.49 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Instant noodles - 1 pack | Instant noodles | €0.73 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Shirt - 1 piece | Basic long-sleeve shirt | €19.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Gloves - 1 pair | Knitted or fleece gloves | €15.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Beanie - 1 piece | Knitted beanie | €9.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Boots - 1 pair | Ankle boots | €35.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Women's dress - 1 piece | Women's everyday dress | €22.99 / 1 piece | 1 piece |
Compared with the other cities
US dollar prices for 48 products that we also have in at least three other cities. The percentage shows the difference from the average of those cities.
Lower in Madrid
- Shower gel - 400 ml$0.75-85%
- Toothbrush - 1 piece$0.38-75%
- Shampoo - 400 ml$1.36-71%
- Trash bags - 20 pieces$1.00-60%
- Deodorant - 150 ml$1.91-56%
- Liquid soap - 500 ml$1.17-53%
Higher in Madrid
- Gloves - 1 pair$17.85+106%
- Socks - 3-pack$11.71+62%
- Drinking water - 1.5 L$0.89+57%
- Instant noodles - 1 pack$0.82+29%
- Beanie - 1 piece$11.15+28%
- Onions - 1 kg$1.67+28%
Local product types can differ between cities. The comparison tool only matches the same product type.
Compare Madrid with another country
Same budget, same products: see where your money goes further.
Insights and guides about Madrid
All articles →Travel and life in Madrid
Pictures of Madrid
How these prices were read
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details. Data & methodology
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Questions people ask
What is the price of milk in Madrid?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was €0.96 per 1 L, about $1.07 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of eggs in Madrid?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was €2.38 per 10 pieces, about $2.66 at that day's reference rate.
What is the price of rice in Madrid?
The local shop price we read on November 8, 2026 was €1.60 per 1 kg, about $1.79 at that day's reference rate.
How much is US$100 in Euro?
At the reference rate of November 8, 2026, US$100 comes to about €89.56.
Which products cost less in Madrid than in the other cities?
By dollar price, the clearest gaps are shower gel (-85%), toothbrush (-75%), and shampoo (-71%).
Are supermarkets open on Sundays in Madrid?
Yes, many supermarkets and shops in Madrid open on Sundays and public holidays because the Madrid region allows free opening hours. Opening times vary by shop, and Madrid's municipal markets usually close on Sundays.
What is a menú del día in Madrid?
A menú del día is a fixed-price weekday lunch served in many Madrid restaurants and bars, usually with a starter, a main course, bread, a drink and dessert or coffee. It is the most common way residents of Madrid eat a full meal out at a set price.
Where do these prices come from?
Prices come from public shop pages and haven't been independently verified. The Data & methodology page has the details.
