Shopping in Barcelona

Shopping is an art in Barcelona, in every sector, from fashion to design, from food and wine to souvenirs. One of the city’s attractions is undoubtedly the wide range of shops and boutiques of all kinds that it offers tourists for ’emptying their pockets’.

Most shops are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday; continuous opening hours are increasingly common, especially in shopping centres and department stores, which sometimes stay open until 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sales (rebaixes) are held in summer and winter.

Where to shop

On the Rambla – Passeig de Gràcia – Avinguda Diagonal axis, you will find the best shops, especially big brand clothes. For something trendier go to Carrer Portaferrissa and Carrer Pelai.

Very famous are the Zara chain shops, men’s and women’s clothing, which can be found all over the city (as well as throughout Europe). Also well known is Mango, for a young female clientele.

On the other hand, to buy something made in Spain, go to the shop of some Catalan designers, such as Antonio Mirò. Be aware that Spanish sizes are usually smaller than ours, but the difference is not excessive.

The most famous shopping centre in Barcelona is the historic El Corte Inglés, with several branches all over the city, where you can find everything in one shop, including a supermarket and a delicatessen. In addition to this in the city is the newer Maremagnum, where you can shop in front of the Mediterranean!

Apart from clothing, buying leather is almost always a good deal: the material is of excellent quality and the prices are affordable. The best shoe shops are in Carer Portal de l’Angel, Carrer Pelai, Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig de Gràcia.

Many people don’t know that Barcelona is the capital of design and the Eixample district is home to the best shops. One shop not to be missed is Vinçon, where you can find all the best of Spanish design for everyday objects.

Markets

In addition to the various shopping streets, there are many markets and street markets in the city, held on different days of the week and in different parts of the city: antiques in the Plaça Nova on Thursdays; on the first and third Fridays of the month a cheese, sweets and honey market in the Plaça del Pi; on Sunday mornings the stamp and coin market in the Plaça Reial and also on Sundays near the Sagrada Familia there is a craft market.

Els Encants is the traditional flea market held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and non-holiday Saturdays in the area of Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For bargains, which are already tough, it’s best to arrive early: you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more!
But the most famous and spectacular of all is definitely the Boqueria market, along Las Ramblas.

Barcelona Ciutad de Compras

Designed for those travelling to Barcelona for professional reasons, it specialises in shopping around the city, especially on the so-called Shopping Line, the Rambla – Passeig de Gràcia – Avinguda Diagonal axis, where most of the shops are concentrated. A guide to the Shopping Line is included, with the shops that adhere to Tax Free and the ‘Tarjeta Visitante Comprador’.

Discounts can be obtained in numerous shops that are part of the so-called Shopping Line, identifying all those displaying the ‘Barcelona Ciudad de Compras’ logo.

Tax Free

If you live outside the European Union, look for the“Europa Tax-Free Shopping” symbol in the shop: for every purchase over 90 € you can and must request a Tax-Free cheque with which the VAT is refunded.
On the understanding that the items must be removed within 3 months, on departure Barcelona customs at the airport must confirm the purchase and stamp the Tax-Free cheque. Only with this can the customer pass through the Banco Exterior de España office and cash the cheque in the desired currency.