A shopper’s guide to Barcelona

Move over, Paris. Barcelona is taking over that coveted space in shopaholics’ hearts. With a heady mixture of unique boutiques, second-hand shops, flea markets, luxury shopping, malls and outlets, Barcelona has something for every kind of shopper.

Get in the know

Most shopping malls, outlets and large stores are open from 10am to 9pm or later, Monday through Saturday. Smaller neighbourhood shops typically open from 10am to 2pm, close for lunch for a few hours, and re-open after 4pm for four more hours Monday through Friday, and are open reduced hours Saturdays. Stores accept cash, and credit or debit cards with proper I.D. for payment. Personal and business cheques, American Express and Discover credit cards are not widely accepted.

Looking to score a steal of a deal? In Barcelona, winter sales are from the second week of January till the end of February while summer sales begin on 1 July and last until the end of August.

Barcelona-area malls and outlets

Mall shoppers, rejoice. Barcelona is crammed with the things, called centres comercials in Catalan. There’s even a large outlet mall less than an hour from the city for visitors who want a deal on brand-name merchandise.

La Roca Village

A short trip from Barcelona city centre, La Roca features over 100 outlets where both Spanish and international brand-name items can be bought for up to 60% off the normal retail price all year round. It’s a veritable retail village, with individual storefronts and restaurants linked by wide boulevards, so try to choose a nice day – you’ll be spending some time outside.

Address: La Roca Village, 08430, Santa Agnès de Malanyanes
Telephone: 34 9384239 39
Website:www.larocavillage.com

Getting there
Car: Take autopista AP7, exit 12 en Cardedeu, and follow the signs that say centre-comercial.
Bus: La Roca Shopping Bus provided by Sagalés departs Monday to Saturday from Carrer de Casp 34, every hour, on the hour from 9am to 8pm. The same bus returns from La Roca Village to Carrer de Casp, 34 every hour, on the hour from 10am to 9pm.
The bus also makes another stop at the Mango Outlet and Nike Factory Store.

Saving: If you print this article out with our Oh-Barcelona logo at the top of the page and show it to the Sagalés bus driver before you travel, you can receive a 2€ discount on La Roca Shopping Bus. This makes a return journey only 10€ for adults and 4€ for children under 3yrs (usually 12€ and 5€). This is a great saving considering that the Shopping Express provided by La Roca Village costs 20€.

Las Arenas

There’s nothing like strolling among the storefronts in a former bullfighting arena with views of Plaça Espanya for an authentic Barcelona shopping experience. Las Arenas has everything from large chains like Mango, Miss Sixty and Desigual to cinemas, the Museum of Rock, and a Mercadona supermarket, plus rooftop eateries and a viewing area with panoramic views of the entire city. This venue conveniently combines sightseeing and shopping for busy tourists.

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 373-385
Telephone: 93 289 02 44
Website: www.arenasdebarcelona.com

Getting there
By bus: 9, 13, 23, 27, H12, 37, 46, 50, 65, 79, 91, 109, 115, 150, 165, V7
By metro: & Espanya

Other well-known Barcelona shopping centres include Maremagnum (down at the harbour), Bulevard Rosa, Diagonal Mar, Gran Via 2, La Maquinista, L’Illa and El Triangle.

Quirky neighbourhood boutiques in Barcelona

On the lookout for stuff specific to Barcelona’s unique sense of style? Head to trendy, artsy areas like Gràcia and El Born where local hipsters, artists and artisans live, work and play.

El Born

Keep an eye out for unusual jewellery, shoes, clothing and art in the boutiques on Carrer de Argenteria in Barcelona’s trendy El Born neighbourhood. Afterwards, hit the bars and restaurants on Passeig de Born for drinks and eats to recharge after an afternoon or morning of shopping.

Getting there
By bus:  14, 17, 10, 36, 39, 40, 45, 51, 59, 65, D20, 120
By metro: Jaume I

Gràcia

Search out creative and original wares for mind, body and home in charming shops on Carrer d’Asturies and Carrer Verdi in the Gràcia neighbourhood, a former village that was incorporated into Barcelona proper in the late 19^th century.

Getting there
By metro: Fontana, Joanic
FGC from Plaça Catalunya: L6, L7, S1 Gràcia
By bus: 16, 17, 22, 24, 27, 28, 32, 39, 55, 87, 92, 114, 116, H6

Barcelona flea markets and second-hand shops

Are you into everything vintage and pre-loved? From books to trinkets and funky clothing, Barcelona is a second-hand shopper’s paradise.

El Raval

Wander along Carrer de la Riera Baixa, perusing vintage shops for clothing and accessories. Mandatory stops for vintage fashion fanatics are Lailo on Riera Baixa, and Holalá! When you’ve exhausted your funds, and built up an appetite, stop off for authentic Pakistani food or a Turkish kebab at bargain basement prices along Carrer Joaquín Costa.

Getting there
By bus: 14, 59, 91, 120
By metro: Universitat, Liceu, San Antoni

Els Encants Vells (Mercat Fira de Bellcaire)

Flea market fans will love Els Encants, Barcelona’s largest open-air market. Peruse everything from books and records to vintage jewellery and antique furniture in Carrer Dos de Maig. The market is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.

Getting there
By bus: 6, 7, 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, 60, 62, 192, H12, V21, B24
By metro: Glories, Encants

Luxury shopping in Barcelona

If high-end is your middle name when it comes to purchases, Barcelona has a whole street dedicated to you. Within easy walking distance of Barcelona sights like Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla, Passeig de Gràcia is the best place in town to find luxury brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Louis Vutton.

Passeig de Gràcia

Have your platinum plastic at hand, ready to charge to the limit on this famous Barcelona street. Scattered among luxury stores like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, check out modernist buildings like Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Post-shopping, eat at upscale bars and restaurants. Don’t forget to check out clothes and accessories from Spanish designers like Adolfo Dominguez and Roberto Verino while you’re there.

Getting there
By metro: , Diagonal, Catalunya, and , , Passeig de Gràcia
By bus: 7, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 28, 43, 44, 45