Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is the second largest city in Spain and a favorite destination for millions of tourists seeking relaxation and adventures. With its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, unique culture, and fascinating architecture, it's no wonder why many foreigners purchase property in Spain, particularly in Catalonia to live near this beautiful city. Moreover, Barcelona is a shopping paradise. What should you buy here, and which stores and markets are worth a visit?
Content:
- What to buy in Barcelona in 2024?
- Best shopping locations in Barcelona
- Relocation, Investment, and Property Purchase in Spain
What to buy in Barcelona in 2024?
Gastronomic purchases
Barcelona could easily be referred to as a gastronomic paradise. The Catalan capital is famous for its superb sauces, pastries, and cheeses. When visiting Barcelona, be sure to try the Mediterranean cuisine and its ingredients.
Sauces
Barcelona produces a wide variety of sauces that can be paired with vegetable, fish, or meat dishes. We recommend buying Catalan Romesco sauces. Gourmets will definitely appreciate them.
Cheeses
One of Spain's most renowned soft aromatic cheeses is Tupi, a fermented goat cheese made following a traditional recipe from the Pyrenees mountains. Also, Alt Urgell is perfect to enjoy with rosé or white wine; it's produced in the Cerdanya valley.
Cookies
Catalan cookies have been baked since the 18th century and have become a traditional attribute of both religious and secular Catalan celebrations. Today they are incredibly popular, with 500 different variations and shapes made from pine nuts and marzipan, topped with egg white. They are a wonderful complement to sweet wine and make an ideal snack.
Souvenirs
Ceramic crafts are very popular in Barcelona. They are of exceptional quality and reasonably priced. Most items are hand-painted and feature bright, whimsical shapes in the Modernist style. Barcelona is the home of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, the inspiration behind the Modernist movement. Thus, it's no surprise to find Modernist features in many luxury items, decor, and charming souvenirs.
FC Barcelona Sports Merchandise
Football fans can purchase jerseys featuring the names of their favorite players at one of the three official FC Barcelona stores.
Caganer Figurines
A ubiquitous Christmas tradition in Catalan countries is the creation of humorous painted figurines depicted in the act of defecating. Purchasing a Caganer statuette is not only entertaining but it is also considered a good luck charm. In Spain, such a character is believed to bring success and profit.
Porcelain Figurines
The art of crafting porcelain figurines in Barcelona is a closely guarded secret passed down through generations. These figurines are made from solid glazed porcelain, but other technical nuances remain unknown. Barcelona offers a vast selection of porcelain statuettes capable of impressing both avid collectors and casual lovers of beautiful decor. Lladro Porcelain Pacheco is the most popular shop in Barcelona for purchasing porcelain items.
Shoes
Spain has a more than 200-year tradition of crafting leather shoes by hand. One of the most common types is espadrilles. These eco-friendly, breathable shoes are made from fibers, jute, esparto grass, and hemp. They are optimal for both traveling and everyday life, offering comfort, lightweight, and absolute naturalness.
Best shopping locations in Barcelona
Barcelona is a hub of trendy streets, districts, and shopping centers. For example, some of them are located near each other:
- Portal de l'Àngel
- Rambla de Catalunya
- Passeig de Gràcia
- La Boqueria market
This means you can enjoy an interesting stroll and fantastic shopping at the same time.
Shopping Streets and Quarters
Portal de l’Àngel
A famous shopping street in the Gothic Quarter, where you can find products from international brands, numerous cafes (including ones with delicious ice cream), and restaurants. On Sundays, street performers present traditional Catalan dances, and musicians and singers perform here.
La Rambla de Catalunya
A place with designer stores, high-end cuisine restaurants, and art galleries. The kilometer-long boulevard concentrates stores of different brands - mainly in the mass-market segment: Intimissimi, United Colors of Benetton, Massimo Dutti.
Passeig de Gràcia
One of the most luxurious streets in Barcelona, often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. It features flagship stores of exclusive global names such as Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Gucci, and many others. You will also find outlets of national designers:
- Antoni Miro
- Roberto Merino
- TOUS
- Desigual
While strolling on Passeig de Gràcia, you will not only make purchases but also enjoy magnificent architecture, including creations by the famous Gaudi.
Carrer d'Avinyó
A shopping location in the Gothic Quarter, where you can buy those traditional espadrilles - in the shop La Manual Alpargatera.
La Boqueria on Las Ramblas Boulevard
An ideal place for a gastronomic delight. At more than 300 stalls, you will find:
- Seafood
- Fish
- Spices
- Sweets
- Various delicacies
The market is filled with bright aromas, and the atmosphere is incredibly lively and vibrant. At lunchtime, La Boqueria is crowded, but if you come early in the morning, you can have breakfast calmly and without queues in one of the bars before setting off for shopping.
El Born
Located between the Gothic Quarter and the Citadel Park is one of the most modern districts of Barcelona, with numerous shops where you can buy creations of local fashion designers: bags, jewellery, ethnic and retro-style items, vinyl records. Charming bars and cafeterias complement the exciting shopping experience.
Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol
An open-air craft market that will charm you with its atmosphere. On the square, you can buy paintings, souvenirs, various handmade products.
Shopping Malls
El Corte Inglé
An eight-story department store, one of the largest in Barcelona. It features over 700 national and international brands. You can have lunch overlooking Catalonia Square - on the 9th floor in a restaurant with a terrace, have a coffee in one of the cafeterias, or go down to The Gourmet Club on the ground floor and buy exclusive alcoholic beverages, handmade olive oil, and delicious cookies there.
La Maquinista
Another major shopping center in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. Here you can buy appliances, clothing, jewelry from famous designers and firms. But the main feature is that it is the only open shopping center in Barcelona. All spaces are located outdoors, under canopies. In good weather, this is an ideal option to combine a walk in the fresh air and shopping. La Maquinista also has numerous bars, restaurants, and cinemas.
In addition to the mentioned shopping centers, in Barcelona, it is worth visiting Arenas Barcelona, located on an old bullfighting arena. This mall has retained its authentic and primitive look, and therefore is imbued with local culture and color. Moreover, from here you can enjoy a view of the city. Diagonal Mar is a shopping center next to the beach. Glories is located near the trendy and cosmopolitan 22@ District. It's also worth mentioning Maremagnum with a stunning view of the sea and the port of Barcelona.
Relocation, Investment, and Property Purchase in Spain
We hope that our little guide will help you better navigate the vast world of Barcelona shopping and buy truly authentic, unique goods. Today, many are interested in buying property in Spain. If you are also considering investing in a villa, house, or apartments in Spain, you can contact us right now for a free consultation. We will tell you the best way to purchase an apartment or villas in Spain on favorable terms.