Visit and Shopping in Barcelona

After you get your flights to Barcelona , you can visit one of the most beautifull cities in Europe, and shopping in the best stores of Spain.

Barcelona crams an amazingly diverse range of shops into its compact centre. You can shop in Barcelona from the souvenir stalls of the Ramblas to the quaint antiques shops of the Barri Gòtic,from funky streetwear outlets in the Raval to the cutting-edge design showrooms of the Born,from chi-chi designer labels on the Passeig de Gràcia to old-school
grocery stores of the Eixample,every option offers a unique and
atmospheric experience.

Carrer d’Avinyó :cool clothes & homewares

This winding street, off C/Ferran, has an artistic,
bohemian history that is reflected in its shops and
ambience. As a young man, Picasso studied at the art
school that still stands here, and today’s arty types
come to find decorative touches for their homes and
themselves. Students love Produit National Brut
for its sweat tops emblazoned with the
names of Barcelona’s cool neighbourhoods, such as
Barrio Chino. The shop also stocks second-hand
fashions and kitsch retro knick-knacks.
Style aficionados love the range of art and design
books and magazines at Dom. This funky
homewares store stocks conversation-starting pieces,
such as battery-operated portable turntables and
Austin-Powers-style bubble chairs. Top designer
labels (Vivienne Westwood, Gaultier, et al) can be
found at Loft Avignon, while even more
exclusive labels, such as Yamamoto and Sessun,
hang in So_da , an achingly hip shop that
turns into a bar at night. Angel Gimeno at No. 25 is
just for guys, with clothes for the street or the club
by Energie, D&G and Calvin Klein.
It’s not all cutting-edge modernity round here,
though. A sense of history lingers in the traditional
wares sold at Manual Alpargatera (No. 7), a vendor of
handmade traditional espadrilles since 1910. Designs
range from the wedge-heeled, ankle-tied style (a surprise
hit of recent years) to the traditional shoe worn
by dancers of the local folk jig, the sardana. The shop
even made a pair for Pope John Paul II. Sombreria
Obach on the corner of Avinyó with C/Call is another
great old classic. Its windows are filled with hats of
all kinds – from mohair berets to traditional Catalan
caps (which look like red pixie hats), as well as a
fine selection of trilbies, fedoras and stetsons.

Carrer Banys :Nous history for sale

Lovers of all things old and antiquated will find plenty
to tempt them on this atmospheric lane off C/Ferran.
Memorabilia collectors should direct themselves to
the antique adverts and postcards in Colleccionisme
Coixet, while L’Arca de L’Avia  and
Heritage are cluttered treasure chests of
antique silk, linens and lace. The kimonos sold in
Japanese textiles shop Nunoya may not be
antique, but the silk ceremonial versions are certainly
works of art. Toy shop Joquines Foyé updates
an old idea with a range of clockwork tin toys in the
shape of Simpsons characters. Old also meets new in
Café La Granja, a revamped historic café, with
an original Roman wall, Modernista frontage and a
funky young vibe. Weary shoppers should try the chilli
hot chocolate for a buzz. Close by, Gemma Povo
 sells elegant wroughtiron
furniture, and Germanes Garcia at No. 15 offers
wickerwork baskets, chairs, lamp shades and shelves.

El Mercadillo :club clothes & retro glamour

You’ll recognize El Mercadillo by the giant fibreglass
camel that guards the entrance to this rambling
“market” of second-hand and club-style gear on one
of Barcelona’s top shopping streets. The ground floor
caters for skate kids and podium dancers, with stalls
such as LXR providing everything for the slopes or the
half-pipe – from shades to baggy pants to boards.
Invasion sells the popular culture artefact du jour –
Mexican wrestling masks. By contrast, Eligene’s racks
are filled with Lycra-and-lace creations that are tailormade
for the heat of the dance floor.
The large stone staircase leads the way to more
street fashions and vintage/second-hand clothing.
Turn left at the top of the stairs for El Luna de Segundo
Mano (The Second Hand Moon), where you’ll find big
shades, printed headscarves and gaudy, floaty dresses
– all perfect for recreating the 1970s LA model look.

Galerias Malda: mini mall

There’s something for everyone at Barcelona’s oldest
shopping mall in the centre of the Barri Gòtic, but the
smallest members of the family are those best
catered for. Little angels can be made to look even
cuter in fluffy babygrows from Els Angels (A6). But
they could show their devilish side if you try dragging
them away from the hundreds of stuffed toys at
Birimbola. Their bigger brothers may be more
impressed by the sharp clothes at Aragaza – figure-hugging shirts fashioned
in red silk or crisp white cotton.
Platamundi  manages to make you feel angelic while spoiling yourself. When
you buy a piece from their modern jewellery collection,
1% of the money goes to development projects in Togo.
And while you’re treating yourself for being so very
good, why not indulge further, with some heavenly
bath soaps from the “shop of smells”

Portal de l’Angel :high-street shopping

Leading away from Plaça de Catalunya and running
parallel with Las Ramblas, this pedestrianized avenue
is Barcelona’s “high street”. Most shoppers home in
on clothing giants Zara and Mango for
excellent ranges of street-smart fashion at bargain
prices. However, there are many independent stores
still holding their own against the encroaching giants.
Rafa  has the best in bags, stocking prized
labels such as Mandarina Duck and Lamarthe. If you
haven’t yet tried turrón (a marzipan-like sweet from
Valencia), Planelles Donat is the place to do so.
As well as great turrón, the shop also sells fine ice
cream, and its parlour at No. 25 is the locals’ favourite.
Ciutad has been here since 1882, and its
wares are like relics from a more elegant age.
Translucent, amber-coloured tortoiseshell combs,
glistening vanity sets and natural bristle brushes are
arranged with reverence, as if they were important
medical instruments. Another blast from the past,
haberdashery Merceria Santa Ana is an always-bustling
mini-mart for everything you can make and wear,
from brides’ garters to babies’ booties. The
purchasing system is as antiquated as the store – you
go to one desk to place your order, another to pay,
then back again to pick up your goods. But relax, and
see it as a chance to chat and mingle with the locals.

Carrer de l’Argenteria: sharp style

This pedestrianized thoroughfare is the gateway to
the trendy Born area, and its mix of quality shops is a
microcosm of what’s on offer elsewhere in Barcelona’s
hippest neighbourhood. The road is particularly good
for modern jewellery. Ona Joia has an extensive collection, and includes Andrea Blú’s dogtag-style chains for men. Alea is a
jewellery gallery – the long glass cases at the front are
dedicated solely to Enric Majoral’s structural pieces
of interwoven silver and gold. The small space at the
rear of the shop showcases the work of various young
designers, their pieces as much art as accessories.
For more affordable baubles, Bijou Brigitte
has everything from chunky diamanté rings to trendy
plastic bangles. The stock at Opera Prima has
more of a retro feel, with Les Néréides’ Art Deco-like
diamanté necklaces, and hats and bags in velvet, lace
and sequins. Next door, Como Agua de Mayo.
stocks inventive clothes by young Spanish designers
– check out Mariona Gen’s quirky jumpers, which
have prints of faces peering through woollen frames.
La Sabateria del Born’s (No. 41) funky range of shoes
shows clear gender distinction: Lollipop’s girly slipons
with dolly decorations for women; Rankin’s
butch, square-toed and studded lace-ups for men.
Even the non-fashion stores here are stylish. Specialist
coffee roaster Cafes El Magnifico blends Modernista and modern
architecture in its fragrant store, where each cru of
coffee is treated with due respect. Its sister shop,
Sans & Sans , has an elegant, Zen-like interior
– a fitting setting for the stock of over 300 blends of
tea as well as exquisite Chinese and Japanese tea sets.

Carrer dels Flassaders :boutique chic

This atmospheric cobbled alleyway between
C/Princesa and Passeig del Born is lined with
medieval vaulted warehouses that have been
converted into curious craft shops, cutting-edge
design showrooms and food shops.
Delectable aromas waft from the Italian deli; buy
one of its vegetable tarts, redolent with Mediterranean
herbs, and a slice of rich, velvety tiramisu for an instant
picnic. The Italian invasion continues a few doors
down, where Fior di Loto stocks elegant,
Italian-made footwear. The high heels and pointed
toes in glamorous animal prints and glitter are mainly
from the shop’s own label, though it does also stock
other brands, including Nina’s fun, colourful wellies.
Rouge Poison ironically calls itself “another
shoe store”, but it certainly isn’t. Its high-end designs
from across Europe are hand picked for originality,
beauty and comfort, and displayed lovingly in
individual Barbarella-esque cases. They cater to men
and women. Yet more carefully selected designs can
be found at Cardinal, this time with
inspiration coming from Argentina. The womenswear
collection (on the first floor) is characterized by
elegant flowing lines and tactile fabrics. This aesthetic
sense is equally evident in the delicate glass
and ceramic ware displayed on the ground floor.
Adults don’t have the monopoly on good design in
this street. Almacen Marabi is a felt funland
of stuffed animal toys, dolls, finger puppets and giant
felt kangaroos, all handmade on the premises.