Shopping in Barcelona

This beautiful city is famed, not only for its history and its magnificent architecture, but also for its shopping. Characterized by originality and relative affordability, shopping in Barcelona has developed into a jubilant fashion, design, craft, and gourmet-food fair. The fact that different parts of town provide distinct contexts for shopping makes exploring the city and browsing boutiques inclusive activities.

These are the top places for shopping in Barcelona:

Shopping in Paseo de Gracia

This famous street is also known locally as Passeig de Gracia, and boasts some of the most expensive shops in Barcelona. Noted for its famous modernist architecture, this street runs from Plaza Catalunya to the metro Diagonal. You will find many famous names here, including Gucci, Desigual, D&G, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik, and also a number of top restaurants and bars to refresh you when you are tired of shopping. Those searching for world famous brands and pure luxury will be delighted here, but be ready to use your credit card and spend freely since this area is for upscale shopping, and the prices reflect it.

Shopping in Diagonal Mar

This area offers a large number of Barcelona shopping stores, cinemas, restaurants and other facilities, as would be expected of one of Barcelona’s newest shopping centres. Open from 10 am to 10 pm, you can shop here day and night. Good for family shopping.

Shopping in Portal de L´Angel

If you are right in the centre of Barcelona, then this is a pedestrian thoroughfare in the Ciutat Vella (downtown) district beginning at Plaza Catalunya and running to the cathedral. You will find the department store El Cortes Inglés at its start and the street also boasts names such as Benetton, Massimo Dutti, Camper, H&M and Zara. This street offers more economical brands and its target market is a younger crowd, so if you are searching for the latest fashion trends at an affordable price you should come straight here.

Shopping in La Rocca Village

La Roca Village outlet is situated in the village of the same name that is off Junction 12 of the A7 motorway. You can also get a bus from Fabra I Puig metro in the Sant Andreu district or a train from Sants Station. It’s well worth the time taken to get here because you will find top designer outlets at up to 60% off and some of the best shopping therapy in the world. Being an outlet, it also has a Rebaixes period (seasonal sales) held in July and January when well known luxury brands are sold at a bargain prices.

Shopping in Gracia

Gracia was originally a separate village from Barcelona, and even now it retains its own character with bars, restaurants and plazas, and also several unique boutiques and shoe shops. Although you pay, you are sure to find original and creative fashions here. Get off at the Fontana metro stop and walk down Carrer d’Asturies towards Carrer Verdi and turn right. You will find all you want around this area.

Shopping in L’Illa

Situated by the corner of Avinguda Diagonal 555-559 and Carrer de Constança, L’Illa is a shopping mall that offers more than 170 shops and restaurants, including Benetton, Diesel and Zara. It is easiest to get the Tombus, or circuit bus, starting at Plaza Catalunya and goes on to stop at 28 locations. This distinctive blue bus will drop you off at Diagonal and Paseo de Gracia allowing you hop on and off for your shopping. When it turns left on Diagonal, wait until it reaches L’Illa and then get off. The advantage of this large shopping center is that you can find mid-priced and well known brands like Zara, Mango, etc., as well as small, unique boutiques with more exclusive models all in the same place.

Shopping in Raval

Raval offers you a good choice of vintage fashion. You will also find several second hand shops here and the historic Boqueria Market, one of the most famous markets in Europe. Lailo, on Carrer de la Riera Baixa, is an example, offering top-quality goods such as genuine Victorian bustles and vintage dance costumes. However, if you can’ find what you want here, there are several others on the same street for you to check out.

Shopping in Encants Mercat

This is a flea market, or antique market, however you look at it. Known also as the Mercat Fira de Bellcaire, this is the largest open air market in Barcelona selling anything from books to furniture. You must haggle for a good deal and it is expected that you do. The Encants Mercat is open each day except Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm.

Shopping in El Borne

If you are young (or even not so young) and are looking for a trendy area of Barcelona, then El Borne is for you, with its clothing, shoe and jewelry boutiques. The cafes and bars are packed at night, and you will also find the textile and Picasso museums here. El Borne is where the artists tend to hang out.

Shopping in El Corte Inglés

Almost where we started, El Corte Inglés is situated in Plaza Catalunya, and is not only Barcelona’s largest department store chain, but also the largest in Spain. There are several around the city, and this is the biggest, offering a range of goods that you would expect to find in a large comprehensive department store. If you like wandering around large stores, then this is for you. In Spain it is said that if you can´t find what you´re looking for, come to El Corte Ingles, because the huge variety of items means you can find almost anything you need.

Opening times

Shops normally open at about 10:00 am and close around 8:30 pm, Monday-Saturday. Small shops still have a siesta in the afternoon from about 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm. All trades are allowed to open on 11 Sundays per year. Nevertheless most of the shops on Las Ramblas are opened throughout the week, seven days long.

Sales

There are two big sales in Barcelona. The winter sale starts during the second week of January and lasts until the end of February. The summer sale begins in the middle of July and lasts until the end of August. Discounts of 20%-50% are offered, at the end of each sale up to 70%!

Shopping bus

Barcelona offers a unique service: the Tomb bus, a bus that brings you directly to all interesting shopping areas. It departs every seven minutes at Plaça Catalunya and goes up Diagonal to Plaça Pius XII. The air-conditioned bus is very comfortable with armchairs, music, and magazines. Pay on board (1,25 Euro per ride) and jump off at any of the 28 stops!

Tax Free

Upon departure, visitors from outside the EU, who have been in the EU for less than 180 days, can get a VAT refund from the airport, on goods worth €90 or more.