Shopping In Barcelona: 13 Best Markets and What to Buy?

Shopping in Barcelona is never a disappointment. It is no less than a paradise for shopaholics, especially big spenders. The city is dotted with high-end boutiques and big-name brand stores. But this doesn't mean that the city does not cater to budget shoppers. With malls, stalls, and markets for every type of pocket, you must choose the right place to go. 

Here are the top 10 places to shop in the city of Barcelona:

1. Boqueria Market

La Boqueria is one of the most exciting markets that draws in thousands of tourists annually. While hundreds come to experience the rich architecture firsthand, others throng in to explore and purchase the market's best produce - food. But best of all are those who visit the area both for the architecture and the food. With a focus on fresh food, La Boqueria or Mercat de la Boqueria also offers handcrafted items. Being the hub of fresh and processed food, La Boqueria can be quite crowded at times. So, if you can, avoid the weekends. 

What to buy: Fresh food, meat, and local products.
Location: La Rambla, 91, 08001, Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 8: 00 AM - 8.30 PM

2. La Maquinista

La Maquinista, Barcelona’s only open-air mall, is one-of-a-kind and second to none regarding its area. It is located in the Sant Andreu district at the intersection of Ronda Litoral and Meridiana Highways. With more than 230 local and international retailers spread across three floors, we can even say it is a mini town in itself. From electronics to designer wear and fast fashion to household items to cosmetics - the mall offers a wide range of goods from brands including Apple, Guess, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Claire’s, Kiwoko, etc. 

What to buy: Gadgets, clothes, toys, and household goods. 
Location: Passeig de Potosí, 2, 08030 Barcelona, Spain
Timings: All days

3. Passeig De Gracia or Paseo De Gracia

Passeig De Gracia is to Spain as Champs Elysees is to Paris, and Fifth Avenue is to New York. It is the ultimate shopping destination for anything designer or luxurious - best suited for those seeking a luxurious shopping or holiday experience. Some notable stores on the street include Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, BVLGARI, Rolex, Swarovski, and Gucci. The street is also home to several restaurants and bars catering to different palates and pockets. Not to forget its vibrant nightlife and modernist buildings, including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, making the entire street no less than an open-air museum. 

What to buy: Luxury clothing and accessories, leather goods
Location: Passeig de Gràcia/Paseo de Gracia,08007 Barcelona, Spain.
Timings: Monday - Thursday: 09:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM 

4. Carre d’Avinyo

Carre d’Avinyo is nothing like Passeig De Gracia. There are no high-end boutiques and designer brands. It is an old yet stylish area - if that makes any sense. You’ll come across local artisans and designers exhibiting their paintings, clothing, home decor, quirky souvenirs, and other handmade items. And on the other hand, popular clothing like American Apparel, Happy Socks, and Flamingo’s Club finds a place on this street. Another reason Carre d’Avinyo is more favorable than the other retail areas because it’s less crowded. So you can look through the items leisurely. Perfect for you if you want a breather from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the other retail shopping destinations. 

What to buy: Souvenirs, handmade items. 
Location: Carrer D’Avinyo, 08002, Barcelona, Spain

5. Diagonal Mar

The iconic Diagonal Mar is one of the largest shopping malls in Barcelona. It is located at the end of the Avenida Diagonal and just 15 minutes away from the beach. Spread across 3 floors, the mall has over 200 independent retailers selling a wide selection of designer labels, boutiques, accessories, cosmetics, and homeware. Club your visit to Diagonal Mar with a walk around the Mar Bella beach for a soothing wind-up of a hectic day. 

What to buy: Clothing, accessories, gadgets.
Location: Avenida Diagonal, 3, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 9.30 AM - 10:00 PM

6. Portal De L’Angel

Portal de L'Angel is a famous pedestrian-only shopping street spanning a distance of 500 meters. It is located in the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) district and is within walking distance of other tourist hotspots like the Boqueria market, Gothic Quarter, the Picasso Museum, etc. Not only is the street lined with many high-end fashion boutiques, popular retail chains, souvenirs, and local artisanal stores, but it also boasts iconic historical establishments, including the Casa Pascual I Pons and the Casa Ramon Casas. If you are a die-hard fan of Lionel Messi, you must definitely check into the merch stores selling goodies with your hero’s name or face. 

What to buy: Clothes, jewelry, souvenir.
Location: Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Timings:Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sunday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

7. El Born

You’ve probably heard El Born is home to the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica and the Picasso Museum. But if the medievalism of the charming neighborhood is all you associate El Born with, you can’t be more wrong! The pretty, winding narrow streets are dotted with plenty of small retail shops, restaurants, and bars. Being a part of old Barcelona, this area of the city sells vintage items. It's a great place to kill time if you are a fan of manga comics. In the northern part of the street, you’ll find a couple of stores solely dedicated to a sea of comic books. 

What to buy: Vintage and modern items
Location: El Born, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM

8. Rambla de Catalunya

Considered the main street in the district of Eixample, Rambla de Catalunya is Barcelona’s most iconic and fashionable street. The street and its vibe are chic, and the people walking about are no less classy. No wonder the street boasts of its multitude of famed fashion boutiques. The street has high-end designer boutiques and flagship stores for some globally renowned fashion brands. That said, do not skip the vendors in the middle of the walkway because their merchandise is no less interesting than the designer wear displayed in the brand showrooms. 

What to buy: Clothes, accessories, cosmetics
Location: Rambla de Catalunya, 08007, Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM 

9. Placa de Sant Josep Oriol

Located beside the Santa Maris del Pi Basilica is the Placa de Sant Josef Oriol - a vibrant square with several independent boutiques and art galleries. Perhaps not the typical place to shop for high-end brand goods, but definitely the place for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. The highlight of the area is the artists’ market hosted every weekend. With more than 40 local artists showcasing unique items and merchandise, this market is the ideal place to get some quirky souvenirs for your friends and family back home. 

What to buy: Handmade souvenirs
Location: Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol, 08002, Barcelona, Spain.
Timings for the open weekend artists' market:Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

10. El Corte Inglés

El Corte Inglés, which translates to The English Court, is a prominent departmental store chain spread across the various cities of Spain.  Located in the city center of Catalunya, the seven-story store covers all your needs - from food and food products to high-end perfumes to souvenirs. With a multitude of big-name brands like Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Hermes, Bulgari, Dockers, and Escada Sport, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. Complement your outfit with a piece of designer jewelry like Boucheron, Blancpain, and Hamilton to complete your look. 

What to buy: Spanish food products like jamón ibérico and local chocolates, fashion items, perfumes, and souvenirs. 
Location: El Corte Inglés, Plaça de Catalunya, 14, 08002, Barcelona, Spain.
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 9.30 PM

11. La Roca Village

Imagine a picturesque shopping destination with cobblestone streets, fountains, gardens, and little cafes with seating areas here and there. That's what the La Roca village exactly is! Designed to resemble a typical Catalan village, the La Roca village of Barcelona is one of the best discount malls in Spain. In many stores, you can get a discount of up to 60% on many premium items - making it one of the most affordable and preferred places for shopping. Home to over 140 high-end boutiques and small local businesses, the complex is the ultimate shopping destination, especially for tourists. 

What to buy: Fashion items, accessories, and home decor
Location: Santa Agnès de Malanyanes, 08430 La Roca del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

12. Grey Street

If you come across a charming little store with the word "Mercería” written in flowery italics, do yourself a favor and stop by the tiny wonderland for a while. Merceria, which translates to haberdashery in English, is a Spanish word meaning a store that sells haberdashery and sewing supplies, including thread, needles, buttons, zippers, ribbons, lace, pins, and more. However, despite its name, you'll find a wide selection of gift items ranging from jewelry, skincare, homeware, ceramics, macramé plant hangers, tarot cards, polaroid film, art prints, and other miscellaneous items. 

What to buy: Clothing and accessories, home decor, gift items, and souvenirs
Location: Carrer del Dr. Dou, 19, 08001 Barcelona, Spain. 
Timings: Monday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 03:00 PM; 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

13. Els Encants

Els Encants is a preowned flea market with a mirrored canopy housing over 500 stalls. Books, paintings, dolls, toys, statues, leather jackets, flip flops, plates, DIY tablecloths, table tops, chairs, memorabilia, home decor, cables, bikes, vehicle parts - the list goes on. If you have money to spend, you can check out the shops on floor C. They have the most unique and covetable items. And yes, they are much pricier than the rest of the objects in the central plaza. 

What to buy: Preowned items
Location: Carrer de los Castillejos, 158, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
Timings: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM

We've heard of people flying to Milan, Florence, and New York for a shopping spree. But apparently, no one travels to Spain solely for shopping in Barcelona. The city is better known for its unique architecture, history, and vibrant culture. But that doesn't mean the quality of merchandise sold here falls short of those in Milan, the global fashion capital. Barcelona also has numerous streets, avenues, and neighborhoods lined with globally renowned brand stores. 

In addition, there are small stalls selling unique pieces crafted by local artisans, adding to the charm of the already mesmerizing city.  So, if you are in Barcelona, we recommend you take a few days off to explore the boutiques and stalls. Barcelona may not be a match for Milan in terms of fashion. But what you can experience here can never be found anywhere else.