Where to Buy Cheap Sunglasses in Alicante: Top 10 Spots for 2026
I remember the first time I scorched my retinas on Alicante's relentless summer sun. It was 2014, I'd just hiked up to Santa Bárbara Castle, sweat stinging my eyes, and realized my cheapo shades from a Barcelona airport kiosk had cracked in the heat. Squinting down at Postiguet Beach below, all golden sand and turquoise waves crashing under that Mediterranean blaze, I vowed never again. Alicante isn't just Spain's Costa Blanca playground—it's a sunglass scavenger's paradise if you know where to look. Forget overpriced Ray-Bans in tourist traps; the real steals are hidden in markets, beach shacks, and hole-in-the-wall shops where locals snag deals that make you laugh at the markup back home.
Fast-forward to last summer, 2025, and I'm back, prowling for replacements ahead of another beach marathon. With tourism rebounding post-pandemic and new pop-up outlets gearing up for 2026, this city's got more budget gems than ever. These aren't knockoffs that'll blind you with shoddy UV protection—no, we're talking solid polarized pairs under €20, designer dupes that fool your Instagram followers, and beach-ready bargains that'll survive a siesta stumble. I've tested them all, from squinting trials on the Explanada de España to wave-dodging at Playa del Postiguet. Here's my no-BS rundown of the top 10 spots, ranked by steal factor, vibe, and that elusive mix of quality and "why the hell isn't this famous?" Pull up a café con leche; this is your guide to the best budget sunglasses stores in Alicante.
1. Mercado Central de Alicante – Heart of the City Deals
Let's kick off in the throbbing heart of it all: Alicante's Central Market. Mercado Central de Alicante sits squat and glorious at Av. Alfonso X El Sabio, 10, smack in the city center (open Mon-Sat 8am-2:30pm, closed Sundays—get there early before the lunch rush). This isn't your sterile supermarket; it's a riot of fishmongers hollering, spice clouds tickling your nose, and tapas bars spilling sangria. But weave past the jamón legs to the accessory stalls on the upper level, where vendors hawk trays of affordable options. Last visit, I scored polarized aviators for €12—genuine UV400 protection, lightweight frames that didn't fog up during a humid tram ride. The vendor, a grizzled Catalan named Paco, let me try a dozen pairs under the fluorescent buzz, sharing stories of sourcing from Valencia wholesalers. Quality varies, but sniff out the branded knockoffs (Oakley-ish, Prada-lite) and haggle down 20%. It's chaotic—watch your wallet amid the elbowing shoppers—but the thrill? Pure Alicante adrenaline. I wore mine kayaking off Cabo de las Huertas later; zero glare off the water. If you're chasing the best places for cheap UV sunglasses this summer, this is ground zero, with hundreds of options that beat chain stores hands-down.
2. Postiguet Beach Vendors – Beachfront Bargains
Stroll five minutes west, and you're at the beachfront pulse: Postiguet Beach vendors. No fixed address—these pop-up shacks hug the sand along Paseo Marítimo Gabriel Miró (they swarm from Easter to October, daily 10am-sunset, weather permitting). Picture this: salty breeze whipping your hair, families building sandcastles, and volleys of beach volleyball thwacking nearby. That's when the magic hits. These guys (mostly North African and Filipino traders) unload crates of triliners for €8, wraparounds that block 99% UVA/UVB for surf sessions. I haggled a pair of mirrored pilots down from €15 to €7 after feigning indifference; they laughed, threw in a microfiber cloth. Durability? Mine survived a rogue wave drenching and still perch on my dash back in Madrid. Not all are created equal—avoid the €3 plastic crap that snaps in your bag—but test for polarization by tilting against the sea sparkle. It's raw, unregulated fun; chat up Mohammed or Ali for insider tips on late-night paella spots. Perfect for impulsive buys when your shades sink in the surf.
3. Óptica Vintage in Old Town – Affordable Designer Vibes
Dip into the labyrinth of Alicante's Old Town—Barrio de Santa Cruz, that warren of pastel alleys off Calle San Rafael (most shops 10am-2pm, 4-8pm; core area bounded by Calle Capitán Segarra). Whitewashed walls drip bougainvillea, cats slink under wrought-iron balconies, and the air hums with gitano guitar from hidden patios. Here, gems hide in bodega-like opticas. My favorite: Óptica Vintage at Calle San Rafael, 12 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-1:30pm & 4:30-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm). Owner Elena, a chain-smoking firecracker in her 60s, curates "vintage-inspired" drops—Gucci-esque cat-eyes for €25, Persol homages with real polarized lenses. I once spent an hour there, sipping her homemade limón granizado while she adjusted fit on a buttery leather-framed pair. "For the señor who dances flamenco at midnight," she winked. These aren't flea-market fakes; many are overstock from Milan outlets, UV-tested and chic enough for a Lucentum ruins picnic. The neighborhood's magic amplifies it—pair your find with gelato from nearby Helados Poncho. If Old Town's your haunt, this beats soulless malls. Humorously, I returned last year; Elena remembered me, slipped an extra pair "for the wife who doesn't exist." Priceless.
4. Sol Optica on Avenida Maisonnave – Central Shopping Steals
Head to the pedestrian paradise of Avenida Maisonnave, Alicante's Champs-Élysées minus the snobbery (main drag from Plaza de Luceros to C.C. Puerta de Alicante, shops generally 10am-9pm daily). Amid Zara knockoffs and pintxos bars, shine happens at Sol Optica, Av. Maisonnave, 18 (Mon-Sat 10am-2pm & 5-9pm, Sun 11am-2pm). This family-run joint, squeezed between a churrería and phone repair, stocks warehouse clearances: Ray-Ban dupes €18, Maui Jim wannabes with top-tier polarization for €22. The scent of fresh churros wafts in, mixing with lens-cleaner spritz. Proprietor Javier, a soccer-mad dad, demos scratch resistance by rubbing them on his jeans—mine passed, and held up through a dusty bus to Tabarca Island. He opines on trends: "2026? Oversized shields for festival kids." Bargain bins out back yield €5 surprises. I love the humanity—no hard sell, just stories of supplying shades to local lifeguards. It's central, convenient post-shopping spree.
5. Rastro Alicante Flea Market – Sunday Treasure Hunt
For market mavens, hit Rastro Alicante, the Sunday flea circus at Paseo de Alférez Roig (every Sun 8am-2pm, rain or shine—arrive by 9am for picks). Dust motes dance in morning light, vendors bellow over clanging pots, and the air's thick with grilled chorizo. Options are everywhere, but zero in on the eyewear alley near the entrance. Stalls like "Gafas del Sol" pile polarized sports shades €10-15, beach clip-ons for €6. I snagged aviators mimicking Quay Australia; the seller, a toothless Romanian jester, juggled them for laughs. Test 'em against the sun—real UV blocks the squint. It's treasure-hunt chaos; my pair's lens engraved "2025," prophetic for upgrades. Pair with a market breakfast: tortilla española from a nearby van, yolk dripping as you haggle. Imperfect? Pickpockets lurk, so clutch tight. But the deals fuel my annual pilgrimage.
6. Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2 – Mall Outlet Zone
Swing by Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2, at Av. de Denia, s/n, San Vicente del Raspeig (just 10min bus from Alicante center; Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm). This boxy mall hums with Alicante families, acrid popcorn mingling with pretzel dough. Amid Primark and Decathlon, the star is Eyewear Outlet Zone (floor 1, near escalators). Clearances include Bolle polarized for cyclists €19, Oakley outlets €25. I browsed post-gym, snagging wraparounds that survived a sweaty trail run up Sierra de Aitana. Manager Sofia shares bulk-buy secrets—"We dump Milan stock here." Air-conditioned bliss, free parking, kid-friendly. My only gripe: occasional stockouts on small sizes. Still, unbeatable for volume hunters.
7. Kiosco Gafas on Explanada de España – Portside Quick Picks
Tucked near the port, Kiosco Gafas at Paseo de la Explanada de España, 8 (daily 9am-11pm, peak summer till midnight). Mosaic tiles crunch underfoot, palm fronds rustle, yachts bob in salty air. This tiny booth overflows with trawler-fresh options from wholesalers—€9 pilots, €12 gradients. Owner Luis, ex-fisherman with tattooed forearms, swears by their fog-proofing. Mine aced a foggy dawn paddleboard. He ribs tourists: "No Gucci, but blocks more sun than your ex." Quick, quirky, quintessentially Alicante.
8. Mercadillo de El Campello – Suburban Market Gems
Up in El Campello suburb (bus 21 from center), Mercadillo de El Campello at Polígono Industrial Los Alfàzegs (Wed & Sat 8am-2pm). Fruit stalls bleed citrus tang, fabrics flap wildly. Bulk bins €5-12, all polarized. I scored varifocals for reading beach novels. Haggle with Berber traders; chaotic joy.
9. Optica Barata in Old Town Fringe – Budget Optica Charm
Back downtown, Optica Barata at Calle Capitán Segarra, 25, Old Town fringe (Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-3pm). Dimly lit, lens polish haze. Options at €30 max—Carrera clones, UV gold. Rosa, the specs-whisperer, fitted mine perfectly over café solo. Endured a Tabarca boat trip unscathed. Witty banter included.
10. Outlet Sol Alicante – Warehouse Finale
Finally, Outlet Sol Alicante at Ctra. Nacional 332, km 115 (near airport, Mon-Sat 10am-8pm). Massive warehouse, forklift beeps echoing. Factory rejects €10-20, full UV suites. I loaded up on sports packs; toughed a mountain bike crash. Cavernous, no-frills win.
Wrap-Up: Shade Up Smart in Alicante
There you have it—my battle-tested map for shading up without breaking the bank. Alicante's sun doesn't mess around, but these spots do. Grab 'em before 2026 crowds wise up. Safe travels, squint-free.
