Spain / Valencia region - supermarket tips?

[Wintercurrentbun]

Off to Spain for a week, staying in the Valencia region (south) and going for a very quiet and restful week after very stressful time at work. Plan is to drive to a supermarket from the airport and pick up a few days supply of food / stuff so I can just relax for a few days.

No idea which ‘brand’ of supermarket is good and would love any tips of lovely items to look out for that we can’t get at home!

Help me out lively folk of Mumsnet😁🤗✈️

😂 I’m starting to be more excited about going to Mercadona than Spain itself!

Hacendado is Mercadona's own brand for food, usually good ime.

Consum is good too if they have them there (they don't really in my bit of Spain). I think Consum is supposed to be better than Mercadona for labelling for allergies.

Thanks so much everyone :)

Consum does THE best roasted almonds, well worth a visit just for them.

We’re going in June so really finding this thread helpful - thank you!

We stayed in a hotel near Valencia last year and are going back this July but staying in a villa - partly so that we can cook all the amazing produce that we saw everywhere! The Central Market is incredible with so many stalls selling all sorts of food - fish, jamon, bread, fruit and veg etc.

Great tips here. Going to try the tomatoey breakfast paste and definitely drinking ALL the cava. Flying, unfortunately so not able to fill the boot of the car as we do in France.

Enjoy your trip, OP, and please report back here on your best finds!

My essential tip: nearly all Spanish wine has a cork not a screw-top so a corkscrew is vital. It caught me out the first time and it was bloody frustrating 😁

Mercadona definitely had the best quality, we have carrefour which can be HUGE and seem very exciting but you cash end up totally overwhelmed and spend a fortune. Places like mas y mas are to be avoided. There are Aldi and Lidl but again I wouldn't go to them out of preference. Mercadona is my go to. A good range, nice quality, fresh produce and a 'real' Spanish shop. In some of them you will have to weigh your vegetables and fruit in advance before you go to the till or get a grumpy cashier. Look out if this applies where you go.

Thank you, I was just wondering about the whole weighing it up yourself thing with fruit and veg. I’m hoping the weighing machines have pictures so I’m not standing there with Google Translate on my phone the whole time 😂😅

Yes, the weighing machines have pictures as well as words. Don't worry!

Ahhh thank god!

I think I’ve found a Mercadona that’s on route😀

https://maps.app.goo.gl/h8CG7Gi7oqiB59Tv9?g_st=ic

Hi again!

Thats right by my flat! Its a big one. Been refubrished since those photos and you dont weigh anything before (unless you want to check the price) its done at the till.

As PP^ fabulous wet fish counter. Youll need a ticket previously and they flashup your turn.(Its quick)

2 massive ones in Oliva and a big new one at the end of passeo germanias in Gandia town/city. Before you get on the N332.

My favorite beach: Oliva Pau Pi, theres 5. All a bit different. Protected beach due to sand dunes gorgeous and unspolit. No parking one or two nice restaurants/bars.

Teen DDs favourite beach is Gandia. Huge pedestrian passeo and ice cream bars a few nice teen shops on one side and glorious beach on the other with beach bars/huts.Lots of parking at one end. (Mercadona end)

There are hardly any Brits here at all. Mainly people from Madrid and France and obvs Valencianos (who speak their own language!)

Have a great time!!!

All the beaches are lovely. Miramar Diamuz etc.If you want to venture ot: go to Denia orJavea I particularly like both.

Good Go Karting place in Oliva for teens. Or there used to be. KartingOliva? Also Kite Surfing.

I live in Spain and find the supermarkets pretty much all rubbish. I miss sainsburys! Here you have to go round 4 supermarkets to get what you need. Don’t bother with Eroski - Mercadona is better though none of them are cheap. Supermarket veggies also don’t last long so you’re better off going to local markets or smaller shops.

I also miss stokes ketchup but lays crisps are yum…

I love Mercadona supermarkets. I wish we had a supermarket like that in the U.K.

If you like crisps you want Lays in the bright green packet. Campesinos flavour. I think it's tomato, onion and herb going by the picture

We all love these crisps in our family. Now that the kids are grown up and don’t usually come on holiday with us, we bring as many bags home for them as we can get in the suitcase

I wouldn’t buy Lays if you want crisps, look for crisps fried in olive oil, often labelled Artisano.

Mercadona own brand toiletries are good value, we always buy on arrival.

Haaaa that’s hilarious I picked that one😆 I was searching along the route and thought this one looked simple to turn off the main road and get into👍

Thanks for the tips for the beaches, your fave one sounds like my sort of beach, but without parking is probs no good with the kids and needing to drive in from elsewhere. Shame! Although the main Gandia beaches sound more like the ones the kids would prefer (ice cream!)😋

Also, hooray for not needing to weigh anything😅

These olive oil crisps are the dogs bollocks. I love them and because of the olive oil I class them as a health food 🤣

Resurrecting this thread in case anyone has any more tips for Spanish treats. We’re going next week - staying in a villa - can’t wait!