Q: Can you let me know if any of the tobacco shops "tabac shops" around the Ramblas selling cigarettes that will be open on Sundays. Also will the tobacco shops be open around the Christmas period?

A: The La Rambla is one of the most famous places for tourists in Barcelona to visit. That means that it is one of the places where you will find most shops open. In general, the opening hours for shops in Barcelona may vary a little. They typically open at 09:00 or 10.00 and close at 20:30 or 21:00. Tobacco shops follow the same rules as normal shops.  

However for kiosks on  Las Ramblas, the opening hours vary more than for shops in other areas of the city. In general, many of the newspaper kiosks that also sell cigarettes at the Ramblas open almost every day of the year. Some even open 24 hours a day every day. Though, this depends on the general situation, as several of the kiosk owners told me. They may change their opening hours during the months when there are fewer tourists visiting the city. The hours mentioned are valid for the kiosks and also for many of the souvenirs shops.

In general, during the peak season the newspaper kiosks actually on La Rambla usually open until late and even on Sundays. Other shops also on La Rambla follow the same rules e.g. you will find pharmacies that open 24 hours a day or a book shop that opens on Sundays during the morning from 08:00 to 14:00.

If you are looking to buy cigarettes in bulk then it is recommended you buy them from a specialist Tabac shop as opposed to a newspaper kiosk because the prices are likely to be much more competitive.

I found one Tobacco shop (Tabac in Catalan) that probably will open on Sunday 14th of December however he could not confirm for sure. The owner told me to call in advance to make sure, but usually they open on Sundays around Christmas. You will find the contact details below:

Gimeno Ramblas - Tabacs, Regals, Articles Fumador
Address: Rambla de les Flors, 100
08002 Barcelona
Tel: (0034) 93 318 4947 or (0034) 93 302 0983
Website: www.gimenocigars.com

The other Tobacco shops selling cigarettes said they do not open on Sundays.

There is a very good Tabac shop just a few yards off La Rambla on Carrer de Sant Pau that has a wide collection of cigarettes and tobacco products. The nearest metro is Liceu.

In general, big shops or department stores like Corte Ingles open the two Sundays proceeding – Sundays to Christmas, these are for 2008 the 14th and 21st December they also sell cigarettes in the basement supermarket.  However if you are looking to buy cigarettes in bulk then the best places are most defintely the specialist Tabacs shops as they generally have the cheapest prices for cigarettes over normal shops and the widest selection of brands.

You will find information about opening hours on Sundays around the Ramblas area and general shopping information and tips by clicking on the following link:

Barcelona general opening hours on Sundays