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 – 6th 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.
