Alcohol
Alcohol is easy to come by in Barcelona. Supermarkets stock a selection of cheap and medium-priced wine, beer and a range of spirits, while many corner shops also sell cans of beer and a less dependable selection of wines and cava. Many independent delicatessens and upmarket colmados (grocers) stock a handful of pricier wines and…
Art
Barcelona’s art scene is buzzing, with the dominance of veterans like abstract expressionist Antoni Tàpies (whose Fundació stands imposingly on Carrer Aragó) increasingly being challenged by the bold, graffiti-influenced works of Boris Hoppek and his contemporaries. At times it seems like every trendy café and bar in Barcelona secretly wants to be a gallery, so…
Baby Items
Carrefour (www.carrefour.es) hypermarkets are a good option for everything baby related, from baths and bottles to pushchairs and car seats. Their own brand products, including the Tex Bebé range of clothes, are very affordable. Babys R Us (93 356 23 04, www.toysrus.es) in Diagonal Mar’s shopping centre also stocks a wide selection of baby goods,…
Beachwear
As April arrives, summer diets begin and beachwear appears in fashion boutiques and high street stores. It tends to stay on the shop floor until the end of September, although the selection becomes more limited. But you shouldn't have a problem getting hold of beachwear out-of-season, as sports shops, surf shops and lingerie vendors stock…
Bicycles
Cycling is increasingly popular in Barcelona, both as a sport and as a means of transport. While affordable bicycles are available in many of the sports chains, such as Decathlon, and in the sports department of Corte Inglés, there are also plenty of specialist shops and repair places throughout the city, where prices tend to…
Books
Being such a cosmopolitan city, many local bookshops not only stock Catalan and Castilian language texts, but also cater for the needs of the many foreign residents living here. FNAC has a decent English language section. Books on the whole are not that cheap and original language texts imported from overseas can be quite pricey.…
Car Parts & Accessories
Barcelonins like a well-pimped ride. ‘Car tuning’ is a noisy and very visible passion among some of Barcelona’s younger motorists, with chrome hubcaps, elaborately shaped spoilers, vinyl stickers and turbo-charged sound systems all popular. A huge car tuning expo is held each November, and speciality shops such as Totcar sell high-tech accessories and parts (Totcar…
Cars
Barcelona has a number of car dealerships, selling both new and used cars in specific brands (see table below). Second-hand cars (coches de ocasión in Spanish, or cotxes de segona mà in Catalan) are also widely bought and sold privately, often through websites such as www.coches.net and www.segundamano.es. Whether new or second-hand, cars are rather…
Clothes
As you’d expect for such a stylish city, Barcelona has a huge range of clothes on sale, from international designer labels to kooky independent stores. Head to the Born for little boutiques selling one-offs by local designers, the top end of Raval for alternative and street fashions, Passeig de Gràcia and the middle stretch of…
Computers
The latest technology is readily available in Barcelona and desktop computer prices are generally comparable to those in the US. Laptops tend to be more expensive. The best deals are to be found on Ronda Sant Antoni (see map,), and the streets leading off it. The area is packed with specialist shops, all offering regular…
Costumes
The fiestas and celebrations here provide ample excuses for dressing up. Sitges Carnival is the main fancy dress event of the year, when many people go to great lengths to put together an original outfit. There are several fancy dress shops (tienda de disfraces) where you can buy or hire complete costumes. Menkes (93 301…
Electronics & Home Appliances
Department stores (see), and in particular El Corte Inglés are a good source for electrical equipment, from coffee makers to white goods and flash home entertainment systems. The firms below are the best known electrical goods stores and tend to carry slightly more obscure, specialized kit, alongside the staples on offer at department stores.
Eyewear
Most residential areas are home to a few independent opticians and larger chains are common in central areas and shopping centres. Most don’t charge for standard eye tests and those that do (usually around €15) often waive the fee if you make a purchase. Treated lenses and custom-made glasses for special prescriptions are available in…
Flowers
Barcelona's most prominent flower market is along the middle of La Rambla; here, as in most other florists, cut flowers and potted plants are sold side-by-side. However, away from La Rambla, flowers can be tricky to find, especially if you're after something a little different from carnations and cellophane wrap. Carrer València is a good…
Food
Hypermarkets such as Condis, Mercadona and Dia are gradually growing in popularity in Barcelona. But, for many Catalans these are just a supplement to the markets and the small fishmongers, greengrocers, butchers and bakers that pepper each area, where the ‘real’ food shopping is done. It’s easy to see why: many supermarkets have limited, lacklustre…
Gardens
Private gardens are a rare sight in Barcelona, except occasionally in the Zona Alta (the wealthier northern suburbs of the city) where large town houses have private plots of grass. Balconies, terraces and patios decorated with plants and flowers are more normal. Arborètum (93 285 71 80, www.arboretum.es, Rabassa 63, Garcia), Jardins Pedralbes (93 203…
Gifts
There are plenty of other options in the city for finding gifts, apart from the often kitsch and tacky souvenir shops that crowd La Rambla. A good place to start is Carrer Avinyó (see map,) in the Barri Gótic, where you will find a number of small boutiques and quirky shops selling trinkets and boho-chic…
Hardware & DIY
When it comes to DIY, people prefer to support local business by visiting the ferretería, rather than going to the larger stores in out-of-town retail parks. Translated literally, ferretería means ironmonger in English, but today the term refers to general hardware stores. An excellent spot to find them is around Mercat Sant Antoni, either on…
Home Furnishings & Accessories
Considering that Barcelona is such a design-conscious city, there is a surprising paucity of places to buy affordable, stylish furniture, which helps to explain the enduring prevalence of IKEA in Catalan homes. However, if you’re prepared to pay a little more there are some beautiful things on offer: try the run of interior design places…
Kids
As with adult clothes, the most affordable kidswear is available from large branches of high street chains, such as Zara, Benetton and H&M. They all stock clothing for ages 2 to 12. Bóboli is another reliable option for affordable everyday clothing and shoes. For special occasions, Jacadi makes classic, pretty outfits and shoes for the…
Lingerie
There are several lingerie stores in Barcelona that offer brightly patterned underwear with teasing messages and quirky designs. Oysho (www.oysho.com) and Women’s Secret, in particular, fall into this category. Many of their brightly printed combos are aimed at teenagers and young twentysomethings. However, both shops sell classic and comfortable no-frills bras in a range of…
Maternity Items
Barcelona slightly more scant choice than many cities for expectant mums. But, that doesn't mean you can't find some good, flattering and reasonably priced maternity wear. The scope and selection is not large but the shops mentioned below are lovely choices. Plus with the internet and so many local tailors in the city, you have…
Medicine
You’re never far from a pharmacy in Barcelona, and in some areas there’s one on practically every block. You’ll find them in shopping centres and department stores too. If you need to visit outside of normal business hours (which tend to be the same as shops) check the daily lists posted outside the pharmacy doors.…
Mobile Phones
Stores such as Telefonica, Movistar or Orange generally offer quality phones, competitive contracts and some follow-up support. They can often also organise your home phone and internet service too. El Corte Inglés has a large mobile phone department, where new phones can be bought, despite the fact that they don't sell contracts. The area around…
Music, DVDs & Videos
In a city where music reigns, DJ's inhabit almost every block, and residents love to party, it's unsurprising that there are so many music shops. FNAC has an excellent music department selling all the newest releases at very competitive prices. For vinyl, rare CD's and vintage records, lots of independent, old school music shops, such…
Musical Instruments
Gracia is the best area for buying musical instruments in Barcelona, with a mass of shops dedicated to little else. Everything from pianos to saxophones, or flutes to clarinets should be available. As well as instruments, music paper, books, sound systems and accessories. Retrofonic are an excellent choice, as they have a shop in Barcelona…
Outdoor Goods
Department stores tend to be a good bet for outdoor equipment. The French sports store Decathlon has an excellent range of sporty kit at reasonable prices. Their successful own-brand names are excellent value for money; Tribord is watersports gear and Quechua is for those heading to the mountains. The Ciutat Vella’s branch is the most…
Party Accessories
Party supplies and decorations can be picked up in department stores, small convenience stores and large supermarkets such as Carrerfour, but Barcelona isn't a city with much in the way of dedicated party supply stores. Any of the companies listed in the Party at Home section can offer help with sourcing decorations, marquees, children's entertainers,…
Perfumes & Cosmetics
Perfume and cosmetics can be purchased in up-market pharmacies, but department stores and perfumeries tend to offer a better range. As with so much else, El Corte Inglés is an excellent choice, and has an entire floor dedicated to Lancome, Clarins, Chanel et al. Sephora offers both designer brands and younger, popular makes like Stila…
Pets
There are plenty of pet stores around Barcelona with puppies looking longingly at passers-by. It's important to do some research before buying however. You can usually tell if an animal is pedigree or not but some pet shops are known for mistreating animals or keeping them in less than adequate conditions. While it may be…
Portrait Photographers & Artists
Independent photographers will gladly do personal shoots for families and those needing pictures for commercial or business-related projects. Whether you want an intimate shot of your new baby or pictures of a big wedding, any of the photographers below offer competitive rates. The website www.exposr.com is an excellent source photographers and comparing portfolios, prices and…
Second-Hand Items
Barcelona has a vast array of second hand shops. Charity shops are abundant and, like the others mentioned, don't look as tatty as contemporaries in other countries. Clothes are beautifully displayed, china sets line window panes and everything from furniture to toys, garden seating to handbags can be bought in excellent condition and for little…
Shoes
Whether you want espadrilles or Manolo Blahniks, Barcelona is heaven for foot fetishes. Zapaterias normally offer men's, women's and children's shoes in a variety of styles, colours and prices. Foreign brand names can often be bought for less than elsewhere in Europe and there are a lot of Spanish shoe chains, such as Vogue, Tascon…
Souvenirs
While souvenirs are unlikely to be top of a resident’s wish list, Barcelona has a lovely range of Spanish ceramics, postcards, textiles and, unsurprisingly, Gaudi memorabilia. Eixample and Ciutat Vella have souvenir shops on every corner, some tacky, some pretty. For postcards, local tobacco shops (tabacs) often have the nicest selection. Local and national ceramics…
Sports Goods
The tourist shops around La Rambla sell bundles of cheap sports kit, replica (and fake) football shirts. But, there are more reliable vendors. El Corte Inglés, Esports A.S. and Esports Nuria have excellent selections of equipment and clothing. Decathlon has nine different departments. These are: watersports; mountain sports; cycling; fitness; team sports; nature (horseriding and…
Stationery
Smaller, independent papalerias are old fashioned stationary stores. They can be found all over the city and can supply everything from writing paper to expensive Mont Blanc pens.
Tailoring
Having clothes made to measure is common in Barcelona, despite the impressive selection of shops offering ready-made items. Finding a good tailor is easy; such is the abundance of talent. Everything from custom made shirts to bed linen can be commissioned. The list of tailors and alteration specialists is lengthy (some excellent choices are listed…
Textiles
Textile shops are as much a part of Barcelona as pa amb tomàquet and cava. The city was established in the 18th century as a major exporter of fine fabrics and textiles, and today there are plenty of tablecloths, towels, linens, curtains and fabrics available. There is even a Textile and Costume Museum at Carrer…
Toys & Games
Barcelona has lots of little toy shops, and boutiques that specialize in modelling, army figures and other toys. For model painting sets, Jordi Rubio Miniaturison Militar is very well established. Malda shopping mall in the center of the city spreads across an entire block and has lots of independent toy boutiques, as well as children's…
Wedding Items
The best known Spanish company, found in all major cities, is Pronovias. It offers custom made or off the peg wedding dresses and the selection, quality and price is unbeatable. It offers discount to anyone buying bridesmaid dresses as well. El Corte Inglés, though a department store, comes highly recommended for its excellent wedding department.…
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