Shopping in Barcelona

Check out the best markets, stores and shopping centers

Written by Mike Acler on February 24, 2024

Barcelona is also an excellent destination for people who love shopping.  First of all, Barcelona has some very interesting markets, including the famous Boqueria food market. In Passeig de Gracia are shops belonging to Spanish and international chains, and luxury shops in general.

On the other hand, Barcelona also has a strong tradition of small commercial activities involving more original goods.  In the historical centre it is possible to find them in the Born district (along Carrer del Rec and in the small streets between Carrer de Montcada and Via Laietana, where there are also small artisanal workshops) and the Barrio Gotico (especially near Plaça del Pi and in Carrer de Avinyò).

In the summer some interesting artisanal products are also on sale at the stalls near Port Vell (Barceloneta).

Markets

La Boqueria

La Rambla 91-101
Underground: Liceu
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm

A spectacular food market in the middle of the Ramblas. Not to be missed.

Santa Caterina

Avinguda Francesc Cambó, 16
Underground: Urquinaona
Hours: Saturday-Wednesday, 8 am to 3:30 pm (Monday to 2 pm ); Thursday-Friday, 8 am to 8:30 pm

Less famous than the Boqueria but also very beautiful, this food market is situated in the Sant Pere district, near the Cathedral.

Antique Trade Market 

Avinguda de la Catedral
Underground: Jaume I
Hours: Thursday, 10 am to 10 pm; closed in August

This antique trade market takes place opposite the Cathedral on a weekly basis. The objects on sale include knick-knacks, books and small utensils dating back to the first half of the 20th century. 

Els Encantes Vells - Fira de Bellcaire

Plaça de les Glories Catalanes
Underground: Glories
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm

A typical flea market where one can find all types of antique and second-hand furniture, books and other objects. This market dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest in Europe.

Mercat de Sant Antoni

Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, 1
Underground: Sant Antoni
Hours: food market: Monday-Saturday, 7 am to 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm; clothes market: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm; book market: Sunday, 9 am to 2 pm

This includes three markets: food, clothing, and, on Sunday mornings, antique and second-hand books.

Department Stores

El Corte Inglès

Plaça Catalunya, 14
Underground: Catalunya
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm

Situated in Plaça Catalunya, this is the largest and most popular department store in Barcelona.  

Bookshops

La Central del Raval

Carrer de Elisabets, 6
Underground: Catalunya
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 am to 9:30 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm

This bookshop, with very large art and history sections, is located in one of the most fascinating streets in the Raval district.

FNAC

Plaça Catalunya, 4
Underground: Catalunya
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm

A well-stocked bookshop belonging to the famous French chain. It also has large departments for records and electronics.

Casa del Libre

Passeig de Gracia , 62
Underground: Passeig de Gracia
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 10 pm

The Barcelonese branch of the Spanish chain ‘Casa del Libro’ (which takes the Catalan "e" here). This bookshop is well stocked with books in both Spanish and Catalan.

Music

 

Discos Castelló 

Carrer dels Tallers , 3, 7, 9 and 79, and Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 15
Underground: Catalunya
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Chain of music stores that specialises in various music genres. Four of the shops can be found in Carrer dels Tallers, in the Raval district, whilst the fifth shop, which does not  specialise in a specific music genre, is also situated in the Raval district, but in Carrer Nou de la Rambla.

Venta Flamenco Barcelona

Carrer Progres, 38 (Gracia)
Underground: Diagonal, Verdaguer or Fontana
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm

Shop specialising in everything Flamenco. It also organises courses and, in some periods, Flamenco shows.

Food

Escribà

Gran Via de les Cortes Catalanes ,546
Underground: Urgell
Hours: every day, 8:30 am to 9 pm

Famous confectioner founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It specialises in chocolate cakes.

Colmado Quilez  

Rambla de Catalunya, 63
Underground: Passeig de Gracia
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am to 2 pm and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm; Saturday, 9 pm to 2 pm

This shop offers a wide choice of wines and food ranging from cheese to cold meats.

Shopping Centres 

L'Illa 

Avinguda Diagonal, 545-565
Underground: Maria Cristina
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 9:30 pm

This is the largest shopping centre in Barcelona and is situated on the Avinguda Diagonal, a road crossing the whole city.  It hosts several clothes and accessories shops.