Friday, 05 October 2018 13:06

Gran Canaria Shopping: Local Guide To Buying Shoes

There's more to shoes in Gran Canaria than flip-flops There's more to shoes in Gran Canaria than flip-flops photosgrancanaria.com

You may think that everyone in Gran Canaria spends all day wearing flip flips but there is much more to Gran Canaria shoes than you'd expect. Here's our guide to buying footwear on sunshine island. 

Walk around any local town in Gran Canaria and you'll see that Canarians tend to take their feet seriously. Flip flops and espadrilles and common but most people wear proper shoes to work or even when they go out to the shops. In fact, if you see someone in a local area of Las Palmas wearing open shoes and shorts, you are most likely looking at a fellow visitor. 

Head to a shoe shop in Gran Canaria and you'll find a wide range of styles and brands. You may also notice, if you take your feet seriously, that Spanish shoes have a flair to them that is often lacking in colder climates. They are also pretty well made because Spain has a proud history of quality shoemaking. 

Of course, the shoes on sale in Gran Canaria are what most Europeans would see as summer shoes because, hey, who needs a pair of knee high boots when it's hot and sunny almost every day.

Shopping for stylish men's shoes in Gran Canaria

Men's shoes in Gran Canaria are just a little bit more flamboyant than the ones you find further north where black and brown Oxfords and Derby's rule the roost. We think it's because of Spain's love of dancing and the fact that men's dancing shoes (check any local salsa club) are often pretty bright. This has trickled into the boutiques and shoe shops where you'll find shoes with stylish stitching details and understated hints of colour. Check out the men's shoes in Fundgrube and particularly Spanish brands like Fluchos and Pikolinos.

Athleisure fans should have a look at Italian brand Geox for affordable and well-made trainers. Of course, the main athleisure brands like Nike, Adidas and Sketchers are easy to find in Gran Canaria too. You'll find trainer shops in most Gran Canaria shopping malls.

As with shoes everywhere, you get what you pay for in Gran Canaria so pay attention to the stitching and materials before you buy an unknown brand of shoe. Good shoes are a worthy holiday investment especially as you know that you'll be wearing something unique once you get home.

Look out for Calzados Navarro shoe shops, Fundgrubes, and head up to the second floor in El Corte Inglés for a good selection of quality men's shoes by menswear brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Sebago and own-brand Emilio Tucci. 

Shopping for stylish women's shoes in Gran Canaria

 Women's shoes in Gran Canaria range from elegant sandals and heels to flamboyant, South American influenced wedges and high heels. 

The ever-reliable Fundgrube has a good selection of quality women's shoes and El Corte Inglés stock a wide range of brands such as Michael Kors and Spanish quality brand Gloria Ortiz. 

Carolina Boix is a good place to look for bright and stylish shoes at reasonable prices. Another Spanish shoe brand well worth looking out for is Xti. 

Where to buy shoes in Gran Canaria

For a great guide to shopping for shoes and clothes in Gran Canaria see our ultimate guide to Gran Canaria clothes shopping, and also our list of Gran Canaria's top shopping spots

Published in Shopping

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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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