Shopping on La Palma – What, Where, When and How Much

Self-catering on La Palma? You’re in good hands. All the major chains have branches in the larger towns, open daily or near-daily at the key locations. For the real thing — avocados picked at their peak, Queso Palmero direct from the cheesemaker, properly ripened bananas — shopping on La Palma starts best at the market.

The Main Supermarket Chains

HiperDino – The Full-Service Store

The largest branches on La Palma, with full meat and fish counters:

• Los Llanos de Aridane (Avenida Carlos Francisco Lorenzo): Mon–Sat 08:30–21:30, Sun 09:00–14:00
• El Paso: Mon–Sat 09:00–21:00
• Santa Cruz de La Palma (Avenida El Puente): Mon–Sat 08:30–21:00, Sun 09:00–14:00
• Key strengths: a spacious fresh meat counter, a good selection of local Canarian products, and a well-stocked range of Harina P.A.N.

Mercadona – Quality and Value

• Location: Breña Alta (near the El Paso junction)
• Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–21:30, closed Sundays
• Fish counter: the most reliable on the island — it’s best to skip it on Mondays (no fishing on Sundays)
• Key strengths: good value for money, consistent product quality, and a solid selection of Canarian wines

Spar and EuroSpar – Island-Wide and Open Sundays

In rural areas, Spar is the most reliable chain, present even in small villages (Garafía, Barlovento, Tijarafe, Fuencaliente):

• Hours: Mon–Sat 08:30–21:00, Sun often 09:00–14:00
• Spar Express in Los Cancajos: daily 08:00–22:00 — the most reliable Sunday option on La Palma

Lidl – Los Llanos

• Location: Los Llanos de Aridane
• Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–21:00, closed Sundays
• Good for: staple shopping, baked goods, and low-price non-food items (no local product range)

Practical Shopping Tips

• Supermarkets charge for plastic bags, so bring your own reusable totes.
• Buy fresh fish Tue–Sat (no fresh fish on Mondays due to the Sunday fishing ban).
• Shop early, before 10 a.m., for the best selection of fresh products — counters are often bare by the afternoon.
• Tap water is technically drinkable but chlorinated; buying large garrafas (5–8 liter jugs, approx. €1–2) is the standard local practice.
• Spot local products by the label “Producto de Canarias” or “Cosecha Local”.

Supermarkets by Location and Sunday Hours