Torremolinos is home to an enormous flea market every Sunday from 9am-2pm. Held adjacent to the municipal sports centre, you can find just about everything here, ranging from second-hand flamenco dresses to furniture.

Head for the Plaza de Andalucía, just off pedestrianised Calle San Miguel, on Tuesday mornings for a lively market selling everything from local cheese to hand painted ceramics.

January sales start after all the presents are bought (on 7 January) and run until 6 March, so this is a great time to empty the piggy bank and check out Malaga's classy shopping scene. Steer clear of the soulless shopping centres and head straight for the magnificent Calle Marqués de Larios, pedestrianised in glossy marble and flanked with the city's top shops.

The biggest and best market on the coast takes place on Saturday mornings at the Fuengirola fairgrounds. You can find everything here, from second-hand designer clothes to second-hand kitchen sinks (yes, really!) - and everything in between.

Fuengirola is arguably tops on the coast for shopping. Head for the streets around the main church square for the best choice with fashion stores like Encuentro, Mango, Zara and Bershka jostling for space with shoe shops, designer-wear and that all-time department-store favourite: Dunnes.

Head to Arroyo de la Miel on Wednesday morning for one of the biggest and best rastros (flea markets) on the coast. You can find the lot here, ranging from cut-price children's clothing to ceramics, plants, jewellery and (of course) plenty of blatant junk.

Plaza Mayor is just a couple of kilometres west of the airport and has a small but suitably fashionable shopping mall with all the national chains and some colourful boutiques for accessories. There's also a supermarket here if you want to stock up on goodies like Manchego cheese and a bottle (or two) of vino.

If you like to do all your shopping under one roof, head to El Corte Ingles, right in the centre of Malaga (Avenida de Andalucia). As well as leading Spanish and international designers, you can buy more economical fashions, plus some stunning Spanish accessories, like handpainted fans and shawls. There is also a gourmet shop where you can buy local delicacies, including wheels of crumbly Manchego cheese and traditional jamon Serrano.