Shopping for shoes and handbags

cqdaniels

Which is the best european city to go to if we want to have a bit of a girlie shopping weekend? We're mainly after leather shoes and handbags. We thought perhaps somewhere in Italy (had success in the past in Rome and Florence) or maybe Spain? We're looking at going in May for two nights. Anyone got any recommendations please?

Diamond_Olly

How about Milan or Madrid?

cqdaniels

Madrid's a possibilty. We're not into labels - we just want good quality leather at a reasonable price. A few years ago I bought 3 pairs of shoes from Rome and they were much cheaper than they would have been here, and a softer leather too. I've heard that Rome is not so cheap anymore.

naranja

Can certainly second Madrid.The shoes and handbags in El Cortes Ingles are to die for and I have spent many a happy hour there in handbag heaven!! Plus there is an area where in one street every shop sells shoes ranging from very cheap to top dollar. With fabulous restaurants and endless tapas bars to recharge your batteries you can't go wrong.

Little_Chicken

Madrid is cheap - but I don't really rate it as a nice city to visit. You can get some lovely things in Sardinia and flights are cheapish now too.

naranja

I don't think Madrid has ever been cheap compared to the rest of Spain but I think it is a great place to visit with plenty of cultural activities, great sightseeing and good food. However the exchange rate at the moment in Europe is making everything 10% more expensive than a year ago. Why not cash in on the weak dollar and go to New York?

dmg24

I love Madrid ... but have you thought of Marrakech?!! x

cqdaniels

Thanks for all your replies.

New York would be great but, unfortunately, we can only go for one night and also one of my friends doesn't like flying much so won't sit on a plane for that long.

Marrakech would be interesting, but I think we're swaying towards Madrid.

geri1965_2

Barcelona is great for handbag shopping! They also have El Corte Ingles, and loads of smaller shops around the Gothic Quarter. I got a beautiful leather bag there last year.

I don't know about shoes though, although they do have Camper which is good enough for me.

kw03cd

Was in Italy last 2 years and you can get cheaper Italian Leather bags and shoes in Glasgow. Rome has 2 extremes carts on the street for 5euros and shops for three times the price here. Shopping carts seems to sell factory seconds and looked good buys but did not go above size 6 (39). Last year in Northern Italy didn't buy anything as it was so dear. Came home and bought a beautiful red Italian leather bag for £20.00 similar to ones on holiday at £70.00. Was obviously good quality as I have used it for work since and it still looks good.

shopndrop

Barcelona definitely. El Cortes Ingles is much better here than Madrid and there are also lots of small independent shoe shops too.