Tourists, going abroad, can combine a pleasant vacation with an unforgettable shopping experience. Along with the recognized fashion capitals of Paris and Milan, Barcelona can also surprise its guests with a variety of fashionable clothes and shoes. First-time shoppers can buy a special booklet in bookstores or kiosks called “Shopping Guides”, which lists 450 shops in alphabetical order in the capital of Catalonia.
When is better to go shopping?
The best time to go shopping is during the sales season. There are two in Barcelona:
- Winter – lasts from January 7 till the beginning of March.
- Summer starts on July 1 and lasts until the end of summer.
At this time you can buy clothes at the lowest prices, as discounts at the beginning of the season are from 20 to 50%, and by the end of the season can reach 80%.
At the same time, there are certain traditions in the country, which are observed by all shopkeepers, so every day from 01:00 p.m. till 16.30 p.m. there is an afternoon rest or siesta. At this time, many outlet shops and boutiques are closed.
You should also take into account that Sunday is the day off in the shopping malls, and the opening hours are on other days: from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but taking into account the lunch break. Large boutiques can be opened from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On sales days, “Rebaixes” (meaning discounts) are shown on shop windows. The excitement in such boutiques is unthinkable, literally all their stuff is bought, and it concerns not only inexpensive things, but also branded clothes. In the season of discounts shops are opened an hour earlier to have time to take all comers. The only problem is that there are a lot of them, and crowded fitting rooms, queues at the ticket offices do not allow you to buy a thing you like and try it on normally. Experienced buyers, knowing this, come a couple of days earlier and easily try on the clothes they like, and on the day of sale are purposefully to go after it.
Where should go shopping?
Barcelona’s best shopping malls, outlets and markets are happy to accept customers, but before visiting them, it is advisable to create a route along which you can move in search of interesting things.
Markets and Outlets
Boquería Market is located in the heart of the city on La Rambla street, attracts many tourists. There are counters with vegetables and products, several shops with clothes and cafes, where you can eat between the search for fashionable things.
Bóboli
Quality and modern clothes for children have been produced under this brand since 1984. Today the constantly developing company has already 800 shops in the country and 500 boutiques all over the world.
The design of models for young fashionistas is developed by own designers of the company, the clothes offered by them are sewn for children from birth and till 16 years old.
Address: Valencia Street, 655
Opening hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., break from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
La Roca Village
It is a large representative of the outlet village, one of the now popular shopping villages outside the city. Their scale is striking, on a large area there are several brand-name outlets. It belongs to the European outlet chain “Chic Outlet Shopping®” and is located 35 km from Barcelona.
It offers a 60% discount almost all year round.
On usual days the outlet is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and in summer months from 1.06 to 15.09 it works from 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and holidays.
La Roca Village is reachable by a special direct bus leaving the center of Barcelona. Schedule: at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. It can be reached at C/CASP 34 stop. It leaves the village at 12:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. You can also use the transfer service if you book it in advance.
We also recommend you to read the article about outlets in Barcelona.
The Flea Market
Its location is constantly changing, as it is a mobile fair, which can now be visited if you get to the Plaza de les Glores. Catalans call this market “Els Encants” – it is the largest market and occupies about 15 thousand m2, it is constantly trading about 500 sellers, most of whom can buy antique items, as well as fashionable clothes.
Read more about Els Encants and other similar markets in this article.
It works on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You can reach the Flea Market by metro, using the L1 line and get to Glories station.
San Antoni
It is a popular market, which was founded in 1882, it is made in the modernist style, became the first bazaar built outside the city. It is located at the junction of 4 streets, to be exact:
- Manso;
- Carrers de Tamarit;
- del Comte Borrell;
- Urgell.
There you can buy things of antiquity, products, magazines, photos and everything for computer games.
Address: Carrer del Comte d’Urgell, 1.
It can be reached:
- using the L2 purple metro line to get to Sant Antoni station;
- by bus no. 141, 121, 120, 64, 55, 41, 37, 24, 20 and 13.
Santa Catherina
It is the newly built market, which was designed by Bendetta Tagliabe and Henrique Mirajes. Their creation has an original modern look, all walls and ceilings of which are made in saturated bright colors. There are inexpensive products on the market.
Address: Av Francesc Cambó, 16.
You can use the L4 metro line to get to Jaume I station.
Shopping Malls and Centers
Shopping in Barcelona is impossible without visiting the buildings of several floors – shopping malls, which are located in addition to branded boutiques also cheaper shops.
Diagonal Mar
It is a shopping center located on 90 m2, which accommodates more than 150 shops selling not only new stylish clothes, but also electronics, sports goods, various accessories. Shopping areas are open from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is convenient that among them there is a children’s zone “Mar de nens”, it is possible to leave the kids in safety.
Address: the complex is located next to the sea at Avenida Diagonal 3.
It can be reached by metro, using the yellow El line to Maresme Forum station and by any bus to Francesc Maciá Square.
Carrer de Pelai
The street of boutiques and various shops, the goods of which are intended for people with different prosperity, it can be called the treasured center of all shopaholics. Its length is 300 meters, it starts at the Central University and ends at Plaça de Catalunya. Low-cost shops are: Happy Books, Bershka, Topshop, Zara, Celio, Mango and Discos Balada.
You can get to this street by metro, the nearest stations are Universitat and Catalunya.
L’Illa Diagonal
The shopping center, located on the business side of the city, in height it reaches 60 meters, on the length of its building occupies 344 meters. It has not only boutiques with fashionable clothes, but also two schools, a public park, a conference room, a parking lot and two hotels. Installations and international exhibitions are held on the territory of the complex, and there is a free wi-fi in the building, thanks to which you can learn about discounts and promotions. It is located almost next to Barcelona’s stadium.
Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 557.
It can be reached by:
- bus no. 78, 67, 34, 66, 63, 33, 30, 7 and 6;
- the L3 metro line and get to Maria Cristina station.
La Maquinista
This is an amazing complex, which is more like an autonomous small town with its streets, squares and boulevards. The name of the shopping center is derived from the park where it is located, and the park, in turn, from the factory where the Barcelona subway cars were produced. The complex unites about 230 shops of branded clothing and other necessary goods, among the famous brands represented in them can be purchased: Coronel Tapioca, Alain Afflelou, Foot Locker, Yves Rocher, Sephora, Intersport and others.
Address: Paseo Potosí, 2.
You can get there by the following modes of transport:
- by metro. using the Torras i Bages and Sant Andreu lines;
- by bus no. 11, 42 and 60, to the Ciutat d’Asunción-Potosí stop.
Pedrables
The shopping mall occupies a cubic building of several floors, on four of its levels there are many shops and a hotel. This shopping center was opened in 1989 and is more similar to American shopping malls than European boutiques. It hosts fashion shows, art exhibitions, children’s festivals and an ice rink in winter. The stores offer such famous shoes and clothing brands as Nike, Hugo Boss, GAS, Timberland, American Vintage and others.
Address: Av. Diagonal, 609-615.
You can get to the center:
- by bus no. 33, 7, 66, 28, 29;
- by the L3 metro line to Maria Cristina station.
Tax free in Barcelona
European countries, taking care of their tourists, give them the opportunity to return up to 15% of the amount spent on buying clothes, shoes and souvenirs. For this purpose it is necessary to maintain several conditions:
- to buy goods only in stores where tax free is available, as evidenced by the sticker on the window;
- the amount of the purchases must exceed 90 euros;
- you must keep the check;
- the purchases cannot be exempted from packaging, otherwise it will be considered as already used.
It is possible to apply for a refund at the airport and you can get it in cash, by credit card or at your home address.
There are Duty Free shops at the airport that offer a huge selection of perfumes, wines, cigarettes and souvenirs, all that a tourist could forget to buy in Barcelona.
