Your Insider Guide to Costa del Sol Grocery Shopping

Welcome to the sun-drenched shores of the Costa del Sol! If you’ve rented or bought a gorgeous villa or apartment, one of the best parts of your holiday is the fun of stocking up on local and international treats. Forget the cramped, predictable aisles back home—supermarket shopping here is an adventure!

As a local expert (and certified food enthusiast), I’ve put together a personal tour of the must-visit supermarkets, from the Spanish giants to the international havens. Get your trolley ready!

The Spanish Essentials: Freshness and Value

No trip to the Costa del Sol is complete without a deep dive into the local chains. They are the heart of Spanish household shopping, offering fantastic freshness and unbeatable value, especially on local produce.

Mercadona

The undisputed king of Spanish supermarkets. For the highest quality own-brand food and a classic Spanish shopping experience, Mercadona remains the local favorite. 

• The Vibe: Clean, modern, and highly efficient. They focus heavily on their own private-label brand (Hacendado), which are renowned for quality and value. They are mid-priced and a reliable choice for your everyday Spanish essentials. They generally don’t run weekly promotions or special offers. 

(My favourites):

• Avocados: Look no further than Mercadona for the best avocados. They’re consistently ripe as soft butter and packed with delicious flavor. Enjoy them simply with a little Spanish olive oil and flaky sea salt, or elevate them with creamy Burrata cheese, finely chopped red onion, and some cilantro.  
• Greek Yoghurt: For your healthy breakfast or snack obsession, the Greek Yoghurt in a six-pack is a must-buy. It’s thick and creamy that I often mix  with fresh blueberries, almonds, and a touch of honey.  
• Crème Fraîche Substitute: If you need crème fraîche for cooking or dips, look for Mercadona’s affordable and thick alternative sold under the name Nata Fresca (Fresh Cream).  
• Filmjölk Replacement: For those who miss the Swedish sour milk (filmjölk), Mercadona’s Kefir offers a surprisingly good, tart, fermented alternative.  

The International Giants

Carrefour

 The hypermarket for one-stop shopping.

• Best For: Variety, international foods, and special offers. The larger Carrefour stores (hypermarkets) offer an enormous range, from groceries to electronics, clothing, and home goods. They stock a fantastic selection of international brands, catering well to the expat community.  
• The Vibe: Generally mid-to-high priced, but they are known for frequent promotions, “3 for 2” deals, and excellent loyalty card discounts.

The Premium and Convenience Options

El Corte Inglés (Hipercor & Supercor) – will have the widest range.

 The place for gourmet and luxury finds.

• Best For: Gourmet, high-end products, and imported international brands. The Hipercor hypermarket or the smaller, more convenient Supercor stores (often found in urban areas like Nueva Andalucia and Elviria) offer the highest quality produce, gourmet items, and a superb selection of harder-to-find international foods.  
• The Vibe: Definitely premium priced, but excellent for special occasions or when you’re looking for a taste of luxury.

Finding International Favourites

• While the larger Carrefour and El Corte Inglés stores have great international sections, if you’re specifically craving British products, look out for Iceland/Overseas. These stores are unbeatable for familiar UK brands, including Waitrose and Tesco products, which are popular with the large British community along the Costa del Sol.

Lidl or Aldi for the cheapest everyday essentials, a combination of is your best bet. If you need a specific international brand or a large selection of appliances and goods.

(My favourites):

• Norwegian Smoked Salmon: Excellent quality and value for an imported favorite.  
• Dark Chocolate: Affordable and available in a great range of cocoa percentages.  
• Delicious Donuts: Look for the bakery section’s donuts with a great variety of toppings and fillings. 
• Aldi’s Wine Assortment: For the best deals on bottles, Aldi has a consistently good wine assortment, often featuring excellent Spanish regional wines and international selections.  

• Pro Tip: Download their respective apps! They offer great weekly deals and coupons that can further reduce your costs.  

And last but not least, The Scandinavian Corner: Swedish Supermarkets on the Costa del Sol

The Costa del Sol is home to a large and vibrant Scandinavian community, and this is perfectly reflected in the specialised food stores available that typically stock a wide range of products from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, often including fresh bakery items and seasonal holiday goods.

For those craving everything from Swedish meatballs, quality candles, Kalles Kaviar to smågodis (Saturday sweets), these supermarkets are an essential stop.

 My favourites : Smågodis, lagrad Herrgårdsost, Knäckebröd, Bregott mm.

Key Scandinavian Supermarkets

Name	Primary Focus	Location Notes
Scandi Supermarket	Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian products.	Multiple locations in the Marbella area, including Nueva Andalucía and El Rosario.
Spisa Foodmarket	Groceries, deli, and a Sibylla grill.	Stores in key locations such as Marbella (Centro Plaza) and Estepona. Known for a full Scandinavian food experience.
Casa Nordica	The largest Nordic supermarket in the area.	Located in Fuengirola near the local market, making it a convenient stop for a mix of Spanish and Nordic shopping.
Nordic Food Shop	Nordic food with fast online delivery available.	Located in Manilva, this shop also offers chilled home delivery across Spain and Portugal.
Aptito Supermarket	Scandinavian groceries.	Located in Fuengirola (Calle Pulpo).

These specialised stores are generally higher priced than the major Spanish chains, but they are indispensable for those specific products that make a house feel like home.

Happy food shopping!