Supermarkets in Spain

[quilkin]

After driving across France and now halfway across Spain I have noticed a difference between the two countries that I hadn't appreciated before.
In France (as in UK) nearly every big town, even some small ones, has an out-of-town supermarket with a car park. Often they are advertised and signposted (e.g. Leclerc, 5 min on road to ….). But in Spain, it appears that nearly all supermarkets are in town centres. If they do have car parks they are underground, not exactly helpful for a motorhome.
Is it, I wonder, a cultural thing or a planning restriction? If the latter, then the German brands Aldi and Lidl seem to be getting around it somehow; I have seen a few of these - with car parks - but not when I actually need a shop!

 

[Solwaybuggier]

There are “French-style” supermarkets in Spain, but not always, as you say, when you need them. Large LeClerc at Miranda de Ebro is useful, plenty of other examples.

 

[jollyrodger]

Depends where your are or heading .

Lidl store finder

https://www.lidl.es/es/buscador-tienda.htm
Never had a problem finding food or fuel
Bon travels

 

[Jenowen]

In my experience this isn’t the case all across Spain. There are places with out of town supermarkets with suitable parking. However, having been caught out by some with in town multi storeys we now check on line and get a street view of the location before commiting to driving through busy narrow town streets, avoids lots of cross words

 

[River gypsys]

We made the mistake of following the sat nav on our first trip, ended up in the middle of town twice ,we know look for the supermarkets as these are nearly always on the out skirts,

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[Emmit]

On the theme of parking, has anyone noticed that in Spain, regardless as to the seeming antiquity of the town or village, the Spanish manage to build(dig?) an underground car park, usually under the main or prominent square or plaza.

As @quilkin says, not motorhome friendly but a damn sight better than we manage.

 

[bobandjanie]

Most have underground or covered parking because you need the shade, even underground parking in summer can be warm. Bob.

 

[Emmit]

Most have underground or covered parking because you need the shade, even underground parking in summer can be warm. Bob.

I'm not disagreeing with you Bob (or) Jane but aren't they just a good idea. None of this using up acres of good space and the ability to park right in town. They're light years ahead of us.

 

[Speve]

Mercadonna usually have an underground but there is usually somewhere out side to park, we rate their stores highly always good quality fruit & veg and even Heinz baked beans.

 

[2657]

I'm not disagreeing with you Bob (or) Jane but aren't they just a good idea. None of this using up acres of good space and the ability to park right in town. They're light years ahead of us.

And communal underground rubbish/recycling points in many towns.

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[Emmit]

Mercadonna usually have an underground but there is usually somewhere out side to park, we rate their stores highly always good quality fruit & veg and even Heinz baked beans.

And they always have a 'Toilet in that car park.

 

[estresao]

Here in Spain tradicionaly nobody used to buy in a grocery driving, so small groceries in town were the common approach. Bigger supermarkets are something "new" and there are still many small towns don't need them, although most of big ish cities get (or are getting) big ish supermsrkets with parking lot. But small ones in town are still very popjlsr and very handy when you don't want to drive.

 

[estresao]

And they always have a 'Toilet in that car park.

All supermarkets have toilets (unless it is a very small grocery)

 

[Emmit]

All supermarkets have toilets (unless it is a very small grocery)

Yes I know, but if you know that they're in the underground car park, you don't have to ask and you don't have to go into the store or look.

 

[estresao]

Yes I know, but if you know that they're in the underground car park, you don't have to ask and you don't have to go into the store or look.

LOL, got it!

I guess each one arrange available room as better as they can, but toilets can also be somewhere but the car park.

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[estresao]

Mercadonna usually have an underground but there is usually somewhere out side to park, we rate their stores highly always good quality fruit & veg and even Heinz baked beans.

Mercadona usually are mid size and they always (or up to I've seen) have somehow a car park. They usually are not too big nor too small supermsrket.

Mercadona is very popular among Spaniards because they got good white brand products, their brand is Hacendado.... cheap and good.

 

[JJ]

Spain have got supermarkets?

Cripes... that is a surprise!


JJ

 

[hilldweller]

Spain have got supermarkets?
Cripes... that is a surprise!
JJ

Keep your fingers crossed, they may make it to Portugal.

 

[scotzsue]

love Mercadona especially the fresh fish counter, once i had worked out the get a ticket and wait your turn bit.

 

[gus-lopez]

, it appears that nearly all supermarkets are in town centres.

Most of the ones with underground & above ground parking are classed as 'hypermarkets' & usually also have a commercial centre around them made up of all sorts of shop & fashion outlets.

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[2657]

love Mercadona especially the fresh fish counter, once i had worked out the get a ticket and wait your turn bit.

Come to Portugal, they love those......doctors,post office, town hall, bank....everywhere!!!........and don't try and not get one even if there is no queue!!

 

[Northernraider]

Mercadonna best supermarket in Spain I use it all the time and never had a problem parking a 8.5 metre tag axle at them or very near by.

With 7 metre I expect it to be even easier.

 

[jumartoo]

Mercadonna best supermarket in Spain I use it all the time and never had a problem parking a 8.5 metre tag axle at them or very near by.

With 7 metre I expect it to be even easier.

Bit of a problem in Totana, if I remember correctly .

 

[Northernraider]

Bit of a problem in Totana, if I remember correctly .

Aye but that wasn't in the supermarket that was in the narrow town ...mostly cause of an idiot in a delivery van blocking the road.
I parked round corner from mercadona there

 

[estresao]

Spain have got supermarkets?

Cripes... that is a surprise!


JJ

Yes, Britons enlighted us is their visits and brought "the technology"

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[estresao]

love Mercadona especially the fresh fish counter, once i had worked out the get a ticket and wait your turn bit.

Yes, Mercadora is good for the money. In general you can find good fish anywhere in Spain, but there are some fisgmongers which are really good.

They don't need to belong to the same brand, it justs hapen some of them are much better and they can be inside a Mercadona, Carrefour, L'eclerc, etc....

 

[jumartoo]

Yes, Britons enlighted us is their visits and brought "the technology"

Good reply .

JJ lives in Portugal and there's always a bit of Spain v Portugal banter (joking)

You seem to be able to deal with it though .

 

[PeteH]

Aye but that wasn't in the supermarket that was in the narrow town ...mostly cause of an idiot in a delivery van blocking the road.
I parked round corner from mercadona there

Ah!, But if he had his "4Ways" on he is invisible. In Spain it appears you can double park and block the street, BUT if your "Hazard" lights are going your OK as you have the invisibility cloak on. The Garbage trucks do it best.

 

[estresao]

Ah!, But if he had his "4Ways" on he is invisible. In Spain it appears you can double park and block the street, BUT if your "Hazard" lights are going your OK as you have the invisibility cloak on. The Garbage trucks do it best.

Doing that is not legal in Spain, but there are stupid people (or just red necks) unable to respect each other (or just understand)?

It would be OK (but still ilegal) if you do it not blocking others, but there are people who preffer block others rather than walk one minute.

 

[quilkin]

Here in Spain tradicionaly nobody used to buy in a grocery driving, so small groceries in town were the common approach. Bigger supermarkets are something "new" and there are still many small towns don't need them, although most of big ish cities get (or are getting) big ish supermsrkets with parking lot. But small ones in town are still very popjlsr and very handy when you don't want to drive.

Gracias, I think this is the best answer.
Since I originally posted, I've arrived at the coast (near Alicante) and my experience has changed. There are plenty of supermarkets with large easy-access car parks here. But of course there is also a large German / English population to be catered for.
Away from the resort areas, my original observation is still, I think correct. Unlike UK & France, only the biggest towns/cities seem to have out-of-town supermarkets.

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