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Agost’s long ceramic-making tradition dates back for centuries, and dozens of shops sell the earthenware water jars (botijos ) typical of the region, along with a range of ceramic items from pots to platters.

Alcoi (see Círculo Industrial, Alcoi (Alcoy), Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians)) is famous in the region for traditional sweets first introduced by the Arabs. Most cake shops sell sugared almonds and the tasty sugar-coated pine nuts called peladillas .

The ultimate one-stop shopping destination, Alicante has the biggest department stores, plus plenty of large high-street chain shops, all lined up along the Avenida Maisonnave.

Murcia is famous for its beautifully crafted belenes , the figures used to decorate traditional nativity scenes at Christmas. This old-fashioned shop sells a host of figures, from angels and saints to farmers and fishermen.

Brash, brazen Benidorm (see Playa de Poniente and Playa de Levante, Benidorm) is the place to go if you’re looking for kitsch souvenirs. It’s also a great place to find cheap t-shirts and a huge variety of beachwear to suit all tastes and budgets.

If you are planning a picnic, stop off at this traditional bakery for some empanadas , the traditional pastries stuffed with all kinds of fillings from tuna to ham. There’s also a vegetarian version made with pisto (like ratatouille).

Fish auctions are common in all the fishing villages of the Costa Blanca, but Calp’s futuristic computer screens and rapid bidding make it every bit as exciting as the stock exchange.

This charming, old-fashioned grocery shop, trading for more than a century, sells a wide range of wines and liqueurs from the region.

Crevillent has dozens of workshops and factories offering the luxurious and colourful rugs and carpets for which it is renowned throughout Spain. Other local crafts include glass-ware and wickerwork.