Your internet guide to Arguineguin!

Shopping in Arguineguín is simple. The town is compact, the harbour is close, and most daily needs sit within a short walk or a quick bus ride. Whether you want a big supermarket run, fresh fish for dinner, or a few local products to take home, you can do it without turning the day into a chore.

Supermarkets in and around Arguineguín

Large supermarkets carry everything for a week’s stay: fruit and vegetables, bread, meat, fish, dairy, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Across Gran Canaria the main chains you’ll see include SPAR, HiperDino, Mercadona and Lidl. In resort areas you’ll also find small convenience branches that open later and on Sundays, useful for top‑ups.

For the best value, do one larger shop at a full‑size supermarket and use minimarkets for bread, water and fresh fruit on other days. Many big stores have underground parking with lifts straight to the shop floor; keep your ticket and validate it at checkout if needed. Trolleys often require a one‑euro coin or token—keep one in your wallet.

Opening hours vary, but big stores typically run from morning until late evening, Monday to Saturday. In tourist zones, smaller shops often open on Sundays. If you’re arriving late, a minimarket near the promenade usually covers milk, fruit, water, eggs and a simple breakfast.

Fresh fish by the harbour

Arguineguín has a working harbour, and that shows at the counter. When the boats come in, local fishmongers stock species that suit the south coast: vieja (parrotfish), cherne (wreckfish), gilthead bream (dorada), sea bass (lubina), mackerel, sardines and tuna in season. Whole fish are usually the best value; ask for them to be cleaned and filleted.

Useful phrases at the counter:

• ¿Me lo limpia y filetea, por favor? — Please clean and fillet it.
• Sin espinas, si es posible. — Boned, if possible.
• Para dos personas. — For two people.
• Medio kilo de gambas. — Half a kilo of prawns.

Look for clear eyes, shiny skin and a clean smell. If you plan to grill, ask which fish works best on the plancha. For a quick dinner, buy fillets and a jar of green mojo sauce; add salt‑boiled new potatoes (papas arrugadas) and a tomato salad. Keep fish on ice on the way home and cook the same day.

Fruit, vegetables and the Tuesday market

Supermarkets are reliable for produce, but the weekly market (Tuesdays) adds colour and choice. Stalls line the streets with seasonal fruit, herbs, local cheese and olives. Prices are marked; buy by weight or by the box. Taste before you buy if the seller offers a slice—tomatoes, melon and mango often surprise with flavour.

Simple Spanish helps: medio kilo (half a kilo), un cuarto (a quarter kilo), dos por tres euros (two for three euros). Bring a tote bag and a few small coins. Go early for the best selection and easier access with a stroller or rollator.

Bakeries and everyday bread

Many supermarkets bake onsite several times a day. For a crustier loaf, try a small bakery in the streets behind the promenade. Ask for pan de pueblo (country bread) or a simple baguette. For breakfast, pick up plain croissants, mini pastries or a slice of almond cake. If you’re eating by the water, keep bread in a paper bag so it doesn’t go soft in the salt air.

Butchers, deli counters and quick meals

At the butcher’s counter, you’ll see pork chops, thin steaks for the pan, chicken breasts and marinated skewers. Ask for a mix to try: una selección para la plancha. For a simple evening, buy deli olives, sliced jamón, local cheese and a jar of peppers. Add fresh bread and a salad and you’re done in ten minutes.

Local products worth seeking out

• Mojo rojo y verde: Red and green sauces with garlic, oil and spices. Great with fish, potatoes or grilled vegetables.
• Papas de Canarias: Small, flavourful potatoes for papas arrugadas. Look for waxy varieties.
• Queso de flor / queso de guía: Local cheeses from Gran Canaria; ask for a small wedge and eat at room temperature.
• Gofio: A roasted cereal flour with a nutty taste. Stir into soups or smoothies.
• Plátanos de Canarias: Island bananas—small, sweet and reliable year‑round.
• Island wine: Whites from Malvasía and reds from Listán Negro pair well with seafood and grilled meats.
• Ron miel: Honey rum for a small after‑dinner glass; buy a half‑bottle if luggage space is tight.
• Aloe vera: Cooling gel for sun‑warmed skin; choose products with high aloe content.
• Coffee from Agaete (when available): A rare local coffee—expensive but a nice gift for coffee lovers.

Water, drinks and the essentials

Bottled water is sold everywhere in 1.5L, 5L and larger sizes. If you buy in bulk, bring a small trolley or plan a taxi for the big carry. For breakfast, grab UHT milk, oats, fresh fruit and yoghurt. For the beach, choose small cartons of juice or refill a bottle from a larger pack at home.

Wine and beer are good value in supermarkets. If you want recommendations, ask staff for a dry white from the Canaries or a light red for serving slightly chilled. For soft drinks, buy multipacks; single cans add up quickly.

Eco and allergy‑friendly choices

Most large supermarkets have small organic sections with gluten‑free bread, lactose‑free milk, oat drinks and soy products. Labels in Spain list allergens clearly: look for bold text like gluten, lácteos, huevo, frutos secos. If you have a serious allergy, keep a card in Spanish describing it and show it when you order at bakeries or counters.

Payment, bags and small habits

Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Keep a little cash for markets and small shops. Bring reusable bags; plastic bags cost a few cents and are thinner than you might expect. Pack heavier items—water, milk, wine—at the bottom and carry delicate fruit on top. At the fish counter, ask for a second bag and keep it separate from bread and fruit.

How to plan a simple week of meals

It helps to shop once for staples and then fill in fresh items every two days. Here is a lightweight plan that fits local products without much cooking:

• Breakfasts: Fruit, yoghurt and oats; or bread with tomato and olive oil.
• Lunches: Salads with tuna, olives and peppers; leftover grilled fish; or a bakery sandwich.
• Dinners: Two nights of fish with potatoes and salad; one pasta night; one simple tapas spread; one “eat out” night; one soup night with gofio on the side; one flexible night depending on market finds.

Keep staples on hand: olive oil, salt, pepper, vinegar, garlic, onions, lemons, dried pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes and tuna.

Where to buy gifts to take home

Go for items that travel well: sealed jars of mojo, vacuum‑packed cheese, small bottles of oil or honey rum, packs of gofio, and island wine in protective sleeves. Wrap liquids in a plastic bag and a T‑shirt inside your suitcase. Keep receipts with you in case security asks to see the purchase.

Table: what to buy where

Small Spanish that helps at checkout

• ¿Tiene bolsa? — Do you need a bag?
• ¿Tarjeta o efectivo? — Card or cash?
• ¿Quiere el ticket? — Would you like the receipt?
• ¿Algo más? — Anything else?

Keep your items grouped by weight and shape on the belt. It speeds packing and keeps soft fruit from being squashed. If you need help with a heavy pack of water, ask: ¿Me puede ayudar, por favor?

Sunday, holidays and timing

Tourist areas often allow Sunday opening for smaller stores; large supermarkets are more likely to close. On public holidays, expect reduced hours or full closure. If you arrive on a holiday weekend, buy enough for breakfast and the first dinner when you see an open shop. For fish, plan to visit early in the day when the counter is full and the queue is short.

Kitchen equipment in rentals

Many apartments come with the basics: pans, a cutting board, a few knives and glasses. If you cook often, consider a small “kitchen kit” in your luggage: a sharp knife, a peeler, rubber bands, a silicone spatula and a reusable storage box. A cloth shopping bag doubles as a bread bag on the counter. For coffee, check whether you have a moka pot, capsule machine or a simple kettle before you buy supplies.

Waste and recycling

Public bins are colour‑coded. Yellow is for packaging (plastic, cans, cartons), blue for paper and cardboard, green for glass, and grey for general waste. Rinse jars if you can. Ask your host where the nearest recycling point is; many are near main roads or car parks.

Let the town do the work

Arguineguín makes shopping easy when you keep things simple. Buy fresh, carry light, and let small routines build. A morning loop for bread and fruit, a mid‑day stop at the fish counter, and a quiet hour at the market—before long, the shops feel familiar and the kitchen works almost by itself.