Travelling through Spain is not only about historic towns, castles and coastlines. One of the unexpected pleasures of a long motorhome journey is discovering the country’s supermarkets. They are often larger than those found elsewhere in Europe, well organised and an excellent way to experience everyday Spanish life.
For us, Mercadona quickly became the benchmark. The stores are generally spacious, modern and easy to navigate, with a strong emphasis on fresh produce, bakery products, ready meals and their own private-label ranges. Unlike many supermarkets where the shelves are filled with dozens of competing brands, Mercadona focuses on a smaller selection that is regularly updated according to customer demand. This makes shopping straightforward and surprisingly efficient. The chain is also Spain’s clear market leader, holding around 30% of the grocery market.
Another feature that stood out was the consistency. Whether stopping in Andalusia, the Region of Murcia or the Valencian Community, the stores maintained the same layout, quality and level of cleanliness. After several weeks on the road, it became easy to know exactly where to find everyday essentials without wasting time searching unfamiliar aisles.
Mercadona was not the only supermarket worth visiting. Carrefour usually offered the widest choice of international brands and larger hypermarkets, making it useful for stocking up before a long journey. Alcampo often provided excellent value for bulk purchases, while Consum, particularly common in the Valencian Community, impressed with its fresh local products and regional specialities. Lidl and Aldi complemented these larger chains with competitive prices and a constantly changing range of seasonal products.
Shopping also became an opportunity to discover products that are difficult to find elsewhere. Fresh orange juice machines, extensive seafood counters, cured hams, local cheeses, Spanish pastries and refrigerated prepared meals made it easy to eat well while travelling without relying on restaurants every day. Regional differences were equally interesting. Stores in coastal areas devoted much more space to fresh fish, while inland supermarkets often featured larger selections of cured meats and traditional cheeses.
One aspect that deserves particular mention is Spain’s private-label products. Brands such as Hacendado, Deliplus, Bosque Verde and Compy have become household names and are manufactured by specialist producers rather than by Mercadona itself. Their reputation for consistent quality is one of the reasons many Spanish shoppers choose Mercadona over competitors.
Perhaps the greatest surprise was that supermarket visits gradually became part of the travel experience rather than a routine chore. They offered a glimpse into local habits, seasonal food and regional products that many visitors never notice. Walking through the aisles often revealed just as much about daily life in Spain as visiting a museum or historic square.
Looking back, Mercadona became our favourite supermarket chain thanks to its combination of large stores, practical layouts, reliable quality and excellent selection of everyday products. Yet one of the pleasures of travelling across Spain was comparing it with other supermarkets, each reflecting different regions, traditions and shopping habits. Even an ordinary grocery stop became another small part of discovering the country.