When visiting Tenerife, people often end up paying more than they should for groceries and I hope to help fix that with this article. It’s not that people are careless, it’s because the supermarket closest to their apartment is often going to be more expensive.
The Thing About Supermarkets in Tenerife That Catch You Out
The resort areas are ringed with small, convenient shops. Spar, Hiperdino Express, little local mini markets. They’re easy to find and they’re open until late, but they’ll quietly charge you 25 to 30% more than a larger supermarket a ten minute drive away. It’s not a scam exactly but it’s what you pay for convenience in most destinations. In Tenerife, the gap between “convenient” and “good value” is wider than most people think.
The good news is that once you know where to go, shopping for groceries is usually cheaper than the UK and most of northern Europe. Items like wine, olive oil, fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables, cost much less but you just need to know which door to walk through.
Mercadona: The One You’ll Probably End Up Using Most
Mercadona is the biggest supermarket chain in Spain and have stores all around the island. They’re known for their clean stores and are easy for shoppers to get around. The shelves are normally well stocked and their own brand products have a good reputation for being reliable and good quality without costing too much.
The thing that surprises most people is the own brand range. Hacendado is their food label, Bosque Verde covers cleaning products, and Deliplus handles personal care. All three are genuinely good. The Hacendado olive oil, the Deliplus sun cream, the Bosque Verde washing tablets. You try them expecting to compromise and then realise you’ve been overpaying for branded versions your whole life.
At the fresh fish counter, you take a number and wait to be attended and when your turn comes, you select what you want and they’ll prepare it for you on the spot. Your fish will be gutted, scaled, filleted, or whatever you need at no extra charge. On a Tuesday morning when it’s quiet, it’s one of the more pleasant shopping experiences you’ll have.
Mercadona is also quietly one of the better options if you’re coeliac or gluten-free. Rather than creating a separate overpriced “free from” aisle, they’ve marked every qualifying product in the store with a gluten-free symbol. There are over 900 of them and although it may sound small, it quite good if you ever need it.
The one downside: Saturday mornings are chaos, so go early, or go on a weekday.
Hiperdino: The Local Chain That Actually Understands the Island
Hiperdino is Canarian. Born here, owned here, and it shows in ways that matter.
Their fresh produce section is the best on the island. Not slightly better. Noticeably better. The tomatoes smell like tomatoes. The fruit is ripe rather than optimised for shelf life. A lot of it comes from local farms, and you can tell. If you’re cooking properly while you’re here, this is where you buy your vegetables.
They’ve also got a decent app where you can check how busy a specific store is before you drive there. You also get access digital coupons and deals that aren’t available otherwise. It’s free and it works great so it’s worth downloading before your visit.
One thing I want to be clear about, because it trips people up constantly: Hiperdino Express stores are not the same as full size SuperDino stores. The Express format is the small convenient one you’ll find near resorts and on busy streets which is often 20 to 30% more expensive. If you see “Hiperdino Express” above the door, it’s fine for a bottle of water or a forgotten ingredient but it’s not where you should do your weekly shop. It’s better to find the nearest full size SuperDino and go there instead for a bigger shopping run.
Lidl: Fewer Locations, But Worth Knowing About
Lidl doesn’t have as many stores in Tenerife like the other main supermarkets but it shouldn’t be overlooked and is worth a look.
The bakery stands out and has fresh bread and pastries made in store every morning and that smell when you walk past it which is genuinely hard to ignore. Bread in the Canaries can be a bit hit and miss, so Lidl’s bakery is a welcome addition.
Their own brand products are well made and cheap. The rotating weekly specials, kitchen gear, tools, outdoor equipment, random useful things at low prices, are worth keeping an eye on if you’re setting up a home or a long term rental.
According to the OCU, Spain’s main independent consumer organisation, Lidl consistently ranks among the cheapest supermarkets in the Canary Islands. Their annual basket comparison found that choosing the right supermarket can save a typical household over €1,100 a year. That’s not a rounding error. That’s a flight home.
Alcampo: The Cheapest Option, If You Can Get There
Alcampo is a French hypermarket chain and operate in two locations which are both in the north, with one in Las Chumberas near La Laguna and the other off the TF-5 at exit 36.
The OCU’s basket comparison puts Alcampo as the cheapest supermarket in Tenerife overall, with a monthly shop coming in around €5 to €6 less than Mercadona and slightly less than Hiperdino. Over a year, that adds up to somewhere between €60 and €70. Not life changing, but real savings nonetheless.
The stores are big in the proper hypermarket sense, with groceries, clothes, electronics, and furniture, all under one roof. Weekends get very busy so if you can go on a Tuesday morning, that can be less busy.
The catch is obvious: if you’re based in the south, it’s a drive. But if you’re doing a big monthly shop and you don’t mind the trip, it’s worth it.
Spar: Fine in a Crisis, Not for Regular Shopping
Spar is everywhere in Tenerife, especially near tourist areas. That convenience is real, so is the price.
Comparable products run 20 to 30% more than Mercadona and the range is narrower. The fresh produce they stock is often underwhelming and for a regular weekly shop, it doesn’t make sense.
Where Spar earns its place is in stocking British and European brands you won’t find elsewhere. Things like Robertson’s marmalade, British tea brands, Heinz beans, or familiar biscuits which are all a taste of home for some expats. Just don’t make it your default for main shopping trips.
What Alcampo, Carrefour, and Aldi Are Actually Good For
Carrefour has a handful of locations and sits in the middle on price. Their French wines and cheeses are very good and the international food section is better than most, although not the cheapest but still worth a visit.
Aldi is still limited in Tenerife. Where they exist, prices are competitive and the own brand quality is good. The range is narrow though, so you’ll likely need to supplement elsewhere.
The Honest Breakdown
| What you need | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Everyday staples | Mercadona |
| Fresh fruit and veg | Hiperdino (full-size) |
| Lowest overall prices | Alcampo |
| Bread and bakery | Lidl |
| British or European brands | Spar |
| Local Canarian products | Hiperdino |
| Fresh fish | Mercadona |
| Big monthly shop | Alcampo |
Popular Questions
Is Mercadona the cheapest supermarket in Tenerife?
No. Alcampo is cheaper overall, according to the OCU’s annual basket comparison. Mercadona is competitive and convenient, but if price is your main concern and you’re willing to drive north, Alcampo wins.
What’s the difference between Hiperdino and Hiperdino Express?
Size and price. Full-size SuperDino stores are well-priced and strong on fresh produce. Hiperdino Express stores are smaller, more convenient, and noticeably more expensive. Always check which format you’re walking into before you shop.
Are supermarkets in Tenerife cheaper than in the UK?
Generally, yes. Tenerife uses IGIC rather than VAT, and the rate on food is 7%. Fresh produce, wine, olive oil, and fish are all noticeably cheaper than UK equivalents. A weekly shop for two people can easily come in under €80 if you’re shopping at the right places.
Do Tenerife supermarkets sell British products?
Some do. Spar is the most reliable for familiar British brands. Hiperdino stocks a reasonable international range. Mercadona is focused on Spanish and own-brand products, so don’t expect much there.
Can I get supermarket delivery in Tenerife?
Yes. Hiperdino does free delivery on orders over €60, and Mercadona has online ordering in some areas. The Hiperdino website has current delivery zones and any active promotions.
Which supermarket do people who actually live in Tenerife use?
Most long-term residents end up splitting it. Mercadona for the weekly staples, Hiperdino for fresh produce and anything local, Lidl when they’re passing one and want good bread or a bargain. Alcampo for a big monthly run if they’re in the north or willing to make the trip. Nobody relies on just one.
On a Final Note
If you’re only here for a week or two, just find your nearest Mercadona and use that. It’s good enough and consistent, and you can’t go wrong.
But if you’re staying longer, or you’re thinking about moving here, it’s worth spending one afternoon driving to a full size Hiperdino and an Alcampo just to see what they’re like. They might exceed your expectations pretty quickly and you’ll probably save more than you expect.
If you’ve found a better deal somewhere I haven’t mentioned, drop it in the comments as I’m happy to be corrected by someone with better local knowledge.
