Shopping · Barcelona · Spain
Shopping in Barcelona
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Barcelona shopping ranges from luxury labels on Passeig de Gràcia to independent design boutiques in El Born and Gràcia, with a covered food market in almost every neighbourhood. Best souvenirs: Espadrilles, Cava and Turrón.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 5
- Markets
- 4
- Top souvenir
- Espadrilles
Where to shop
Passeig de Gràcia
International luxury brands alongside Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Portal de l'Àngel
A pedestrian high street of Spanish and international chains near Plaça de Catalunya.
El Born
Independent fashion, design and jewellery shops around Carrer del Rec and Carrer de Flassaders.
Gràcia
Small independent shops, vintage clothes and design studios around Carrer Verdi and Carrer d'Astúries.
Gothic Quarter lanes
Art galleries, traditional granjas on Carrer de Petritxol and long-established espadrille workshops.
Markets
La Boqueria
Barcelona's most famous food market, just off La Rambla.
Mercat de Santa Caterina
A food market under a wave-shaped, multicoloured roof in El Born, quieter than the Boqueria.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
A restored 19th-century market hall with a Sunday market for second-hand books and collectables.
Els Encants
A long-running flea market under a mirrored canopy at Plaça de les Glòries.
What to buy
Espadrilles
Rope-soled canvas shoes from long-established workshops in the Gothic Quarter.
Cava
Catalan sparkling wine from the Penedès region, sold in wine shops across the city.
Turrón
Almond nougat, soft or hard, traditionally eaten at Christmas.
Trencadís ceramics
Mosaic-style tiles and trinkets inspired by Gaudí's broken-tile designs.
Olive oil and tinned seafood
Spanish olive oil and high-quality conservas such as anchovies and mussels from specialist delis.
FC Barcelona gear
Shirts and scarves from the club's official stores.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · La Rambla
La Rambla
The tree-lined promenade runs about 1.2 km from Plaça de Catalunya to the Columbus Monument at the port, passing the Boqueria, the Liceu opera house and Joan Miró's pavement mosaic.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
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Market · La Rambla
La Boqueria market
The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, under a cast-iron roof just off La Rambla, sells jamón, cheese, seafood, fruit and juices, and its counter bars serve excellent market cooking.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Iconic
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Bread with tomato, Patatas bravas, Bomba and Jamón ibérico. Every tapas bar and Catalan restaurant; order it alongside cured meats. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| El Born | $$$ | Boutiques, cocktail bars and Santa Maria del Mar east of Via Laietana |
| Eixample | $$$$ | Wide Modernista avenues, Passeig de Gràcia and Gaudí's houses |
| Gràcia | $$ | Village-like squares, independent shops and Park Güell uphill |
| Barceloneta | $$$ | The old fishermen's quarter beside the city beach |
| El Raval | $$ | Multicultural streets, contemporary art and late-opening bars |
| Poble-sec and Sant Antoni | $$ | Tapas streets below Montjuïc and a revived market quarter |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EUR. Tipping is optional. Locals leave small change in bars and round up or add 5–10% in restaurants for good service; service is not usually added to the bill.
- Greet shop and bar staff when you walk in; a simple 'Hola' or 'Bon dia' is expected.
- Buy a T-casual or Hola Barcelona card rather than single tickets, which cost much more per ride.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February and November; the busiest months are June–August.
- January: Winter sales (from early January)
- February: Santa Eulàlia winter festival with castells and giants (around 12 February)
- May: Primavera Sound music festival at Parc del Fòrum (usually late May or early June)
- June: Sónar music festival (usually mid-June)
- July: Grec Festival of theatre and dance (usually July)
- October: Barcelona International Jazz Festival (usually October to December)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, nightlife and shopping
El Born
Boutiques, cocktail bars and Santa Maria del Mar east of Via Laietana
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Barcelona?
Espadrilles, Cava, Turrón and Trencadís ceramics.
+Where is the best shopping in Barcelona?
Passeig de Gràcia: International luxury brands alongside Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
+What are the best markets in Barcelona?
La Boqueria, Mercat de Santa Caterina, Mercat de Sant Antoni and Els Encants.