Our guide to shopping in Barcelona. Find tips about shopping streets, markets, boutiques, designer and independent stores, good deals and a special on Christmas shopping!
Barcelona is a favourite shopping destination for many reasons; the local (regional) food and wine culture is reflected in markets and delicatessen all around the city, Catalan and Spanish designers have received world wide recognition and Barcelona is an acknowledged fashion center in Europe. The variety on offer here is another asset; from posh designer stores to small independent (work) shops, you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy!
Barcelona Shopping Streets
Barcelona’s shopping route is a 5 km stretching through Eixample along the magnificent Passeig de Grácia and turning left (south) on the Diagonal avenue.For any one for who the names Armani, Gucci, Boss, Dolce & Gabbana etc. mean something. The d’Enric Granados is not a shopping street per se, but a charming and for the area unusually relaxed street to visit small stores and cafés. In Barri Gótic: Portal de l’Ángel (mainstream, Zara etc,), and C/Avinyó (design). In El Born: C/Rec and Passeig del Born are the principal shopping streets.
Barcelona Markets & Malls
Markets and malls, tradition and the modern. Both form an integral part of today’s shopping in Barcelona experience. The malls are great for one-stop-find-everything shopping whereas the markets are the place for ambience and the pickings of all the best local produce of the season (as well as imported goodies). Best Malls: Diagonal Mar, Maremagnum and Barcelona Glóries.
Best Markets: La Boquería (La Rambla) Essential! Mercat Santa Caterina (C/Fransesc Cambó 16), Mercat de la Conceció (Carrer d’Aragó, 311) and Mercat del Ninot (Mallorca, 135).
Designer, Second-Hand and Vintage Shopping
Vintage shopping in Grácia: The Carrer de l’or street where you’ll find among others BoRoJó (nr.42) a very attractive shop with garments in a vintage style, mainly women’s clothing but also some items for men. In Torrent de l’Olla 31 the Vintage Music Store is located. Search for old vinyl, suitcases and general vintage strangeness! Vintage shopping in El Raval: C/Riera Baixa. Possibly the best street for second-hand in Barcelona: theatre costumes, dresses, shoes, funky t-shirts etc. On Saturdays there is a vintage street market.
Oh La La Barcelona, C/Fabra i Puig 173. Large store in el Raval with a large selection of colorful textiles, and a few pieces of furniture true to the style.
Used Books: Hibernian Bookstore, C/Montseny 17. Small but well stocked English (used) bookstore. Particularly good on beat poets and similar “outsider literature”.
Vintage shopping in Barri Gótic: The Vintage shop located in Comtessa de Sobradiel, 1 is the place to go for Icelandic pop and more off-centre treasures. Heritage located in Banys Nous 14 carries vintage clothes as well as antiques.
Vintage shopping in Eixample: Paris Vintage, Rosselló 237. High-end vintage items – as far removed from what you’ll (normally) find in flea markets you get!
Delicatessen & Wine Stores
Vila Viniteca – C/Agullers 7, a family-business founded in 1932. A very sizable stock of wines (Spanish and international) and spirits. Delicatessen next door. El Born.
Il Magazino – c/Londres 103, a large Italian delicatessen with all the essentials; pasta, Italian wine and fresh truffels from Alba. Eixample.
Le Regioni di Italia – C/Torrent d l’Olla 119, a delicatessen and wine store with a well-stocked collection of wine (and delicacies) from all over Italy. One of the better options for finding your favorite nebbiolo. Run by true enthusiasts. Grácia.
Vinya del Senyor – A bodega with a nice selection of Spanish wines and a perfect location, in front of the Santa Maria del Mar, for a sip and a bite (tapas). El Born.
Deli Shop – Travessera de Grácia 141, a store for the “global gourmand” with products from all over the world. It’s small, but a good place to go for inspiration or if you need something special for your dish. Grácia.
A Casa Poruguesa – C/Verdi 58. Portugese deli that also functions as a tapas bar. Grácia.
La Chitarra – C/Joan Blanques 56. Tucked in away in a side-street not far off C/Verdi this cosy little delicatessen offers Italian treasures like freshly made pasta, focaccia (weekends) and mozzarella. Grácia.
Christmas Shopping in Barcelona
Shopping for christmas in Barcelona is an embarrassment of riches. You can find basically “anything” for anyone here! Still, there are certain wares that are typical for the region and worthwhile pursuing considering price and quality both. “Spoils of the soil” are plentyful in Catalonia like fine wine and exclusive olive-oil that make for fine gifts, jewlery (including custom-made) for someone special, independent Catalan and Spanish design for the fashionistas and art is found anywhere, from quality souvenir shops to galleries – both prestigious, well renowned ones and smaller, independent.
Three Favorite Barcelona Christmas Markets
Fira de Santa Llúcia Plaza de la Seu . In front of the Gothic Barcelona Cathedral. All your Christmas decoration needs covered, but you can find some interesting antiques as well.
Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia Plaza de la Sagrada Família. The square in front of the city’s growing symbol, La Sagrada Familia is not the most ample, but a more attractive setting can’t be found in all of Barcelona!
Col.lectiu d’Artesans de l’Alimentació, Plaza del Pi. Our favorite. This is not a christmas market as such, but a great place to buy (and sample) local delicacies; wine, honey, cheeses etc. Small, intimate and in the middle of the Gothic quarter.
Fira de Santa Llúcia Plaza de la Seu . In front of the Gothic Barcelona Cathedral. All your Christmas decoration needs covered, but you can find some interesting antiques as well.
Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia Plaza de la Sagrada Família. The square in front of the city’s growing symbol, La Sagrada Familia is not the most ample, but a more attractive setting can’t be found in all of Barcelona!
Col.lectiu d’Artesans de l’Alimentació, Plaza del Pi. Our favorite. This is not a christmas market as such, but a great place to buy (and sample) local delicacies; wine, honey, cheeses etc. Small, intimate and in the middle of the Gothic quarter.