SPAIN BARCELONA

BARCELONA SHOPPING CITY

WALKING, SHOPPING, LIVING

The Catalan capital is a city that invites you to shop, with a wide range of stores and products that form part of its identity and add to its special charm. The architectural design of the city also helps, making it pleasure to stroll around and take in the attractive surroundings, steeped in history. There is much more to shopping in Barcelona than buying a product or two. It is a real experience! Make the most of it.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

OPENING TIMES: traditional shops: 10am – 2pm, 4.30pm – 8pm. Shops in the most popular tourist areas and shopping centers: 10am -8pm

Opening times on public holidays: 10am – 8pm (during winter, autumn and spring) or

10 am -6pm (during summer)

SALES: SUMMER SALES: 1 ST JULY – 31 AUGUST

WINTER SALE: 7 JANUARY – 6^th MARCH

CHRISTMAS: LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER UNTIL 05 JANUARY

BARCELONA SHOPPING LINE:

The Barcelona Shopping Line is the largest open air retail hub in Europe. This array of imagination and creativity extends for 5km , turning the city into an enormous shop window open to the world, in which shopping is not the on attraction; the architectural and cultural backdrop make the BSL a truly unique retail hub.

TAX FREE

If you live outside the European Union, you can claim your VAT refund in the city center. Ask or your tax free cheque when you make a purchase to the value of euro90.16 or more. Now it is possible to process this refund in the very heart of the city.

CENTURY OLD SHOPS

The passage of time has turned a number of shops into living examples of the commercial history of Barcelona. The majority of these century old businesses showcase modernista styles, which are carefully preserved by their owner. These shops, sited in ancient buildings full of history, continue to offer products of quality and tradition.

ANTIQUES

Hunting for antiques in Barcelona is an easy task, thanks to the wide range of antique shops in the city. Those located in historic corners of the Gothic Quarter, on carrer Seneca, oor in the markets of els Encants or Sant Antoni , have become popular with the most demanding collectors , who are assured of the finding exclusive objets  d’art an antiques from all periods.

CONCEPT STORES

Concept stores are unique retail spaces, in which avant-garde designers have created innovative interiors, minimalist lines or a riot of color. They are stores which stand out from the crowd and trigger the emotions of shoppers, offering them a unique and different experience; pop up stores , private address , product presentations , art exhibitions…..

EXCLUSIVE LUXURY SHOPPING

In Barcelona, buildings like Gaudi’s La Pedrera and the Casa Batllo share their ground floors with stores such as Bagues , Cartier , Gratacos , Loewe , Lacoste, Max Mara , Rabat and Santa Eulalia. The wide pavements of the elegant thoroughfares Passeig de Gracia and Avibguda Diagonal are perfect for strolling and visitors looking for the most exclusive brands are enchanted by the luxury products displayed in the shop windows.

GOURMET GROCERY STORES

Gourmet stores offer shoppers products due to the high quality with which they are made with products ranging from cheeses and cold meats to patisserie, coffees, teas, nougat confectionary and chocolate. There are designer shops with an exquisite selection of Catalan caves and wines, complete with tasting rooms: delicatessens such as characterizes where the products can be sampled and eye catching grocery stores known as “ colmados”.

CRAFTS AND ORIGINAL DESIGNS

In Barcelona, many shops sell traditional, handcrafted souvenirs. Made on the premises, with attention to quality, they reflect the identity of the city and of Catalonia, with references to art, culture, history, tradition, architecture, landscape and popular customs. Examples include human castles, giants, lacemakers and “caganer” figures, as well as jewellery , ceramic and toys.

INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS

The Born District, well known for the church of Santa Ma del Mar, the Born Market and the Picaso Museum, has become home to creative independent designers of clothes, accessories and shoes, whose offering fuse design, modernity and quality . There are collection from various local designers, with vintage fabric and retro-inspired silhouettes, showcased in premises that stand out due to their original and highly creative interior design.

RETAIL HUBS, SHOPPING CENTERS AND MARKETS

Retail hubs can be found in all the districts of the city, where modern establishments rub shoulders with long standing traditional shops. Visitors will enjoy a very wide variety of shops with a strong Mediterranean character; many are family run concerns, with a long tradition of offering a personalized, friendly and professional service.

Besides the shops, Barcelona has large number of shopping centers where almost everything can be found. These are ideal if the shopper is short on time. There are recreational areas, bars and restaurants to ensure a pleasant shopping experience, whether alone or with the family.

Barcelona’s non food markets are a must to visit. They are in rich in traditional roots. Strolling among the stands is a unique and exciting experience, with such a wide range of products on offer; flower, furniture an old clothes, records, items for collectors , decorative objects.