The economic robustness of the Basque bourgeoisie and the British influence is palpable in Bilbao´s shops, which tend to be clustered around a few streets. Casco Viejo has the traditional family-run shops. The bespoke tailors, prestigious jewellers, and the big chain shops tend to be located in Ensanche and Indautxu, as well as the antiquarians. On both sides of Gran Vía we find the top-end international firms. There are also some lively street markets in some of the most traditional parts of town.
Opening hours for the small shops tend to be 10:00-14:00h and 17:00-20:00h, although the large chain shops, department stores and shopping centres open continuously from 10:00 to 20:00h.
