Barcelona

If one had to erect a monument to the unknown shopper, he would come to Barcelona. The Catalan capital combines the best selection of the greatest international brand names with its own offer, with establishments that give it its own personality. With an offer of 35,000 shops, Barcelona is a constant temptation for those who round off a short trip or a break with some good shopping.Barcelona has the largest shopping network in Europe, five kilometres long, that runs the length of the city. The city, that captures 25% of international tourism in Spain, boasts some of the best shopping streets in Europe, such as Passeig de Gràcia and la Rambla de Catalunya, which are a real treat to visit. And the heart of Barcelona, the famous Eixample, is a constant succession of shops, one after the other, which experts call «continuous shopping». Imagine: a shoe shop next to a shop of unisex clothes, next to a jeweller’s, a department store, a cake shop, a menswear shop, the latest fashions in women’s clothes, franchises, own brands, designer brands, small shops next to the show window of a designer brand, and so on.
To find famous brands like Chanel, Armani, Cartier, Miró, Mont Blanc or Zara, visit Plaça Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia or Diagonal. All international labels can be found here.
Shopping alternatives to the big brands offer the narrow streets of El Born. Still not widely known as shopping area it is stimulating to stroll around the winding streets of the old town and discover small shops, new labels and innovative designers.
The Barrí Gotic (Gothic Area) invites you to combine shopping and culture. The Roman centre of Barcelona accommodates numerous bizarre antique shops, small bookstores and young fashion designers.
Last but not least visit El Raval if you are looking for music stores, second hand shops, or alternative clothing.
Shops normally open at about 10:00 am and close around 8:30 pm, Monday-Saturday. Small shops still have a siesta in the afternoon from about 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm.