The Girls Guide To Shopping in Barcelona
Page Content
By Alexandra Moore
This article outlines the variety of Shopping in Barcelona for girls and includes clothing, swimwear, shoes, and cosmetics, as well as a section on plus sized clothing.
 |
| Cosmetics counter in Corte Inglés in Barcelona |
I came to Barcelona excited about the prospect of shopping, having been familiar with the recently internationalized Mango and Zara. However even I was surprised and delighted at the variety and number of shops in this fair city, in fact to the dismay of my bank balance I managed to buy a new item every single day in my first week.
Here are a few shops for women and some tips I picked up along the way.
Clothes Shopping in Barcelona
There is an incredible variety of clothes shops to suit all tastes, from the cheaper, younger Spanish brands like Bershka to top international fashion houses like Chanel.
Bershka
Avinguda Portal d'Angel, 15-17
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line, L3)
Bershka is one of Spain's most popular shops for girls in the15-29 year age group and is suitable for your basics. It is incredibly cheap, with a pair of Bershka labelled jeans coming in at just €19.00.
In the same genre are Stradivarius, Pull & Bear and Pimpkie, all found on the same road.
For those of you hoping to drag along boyfriends, fear not, they have no reason to grumble, shops like Bershka and Stradivarius have thoughtfully put some benches in their entrances.
ZARA
Avenida Del Portal De L'Angel, 32-34
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line, L3)
These brands are now internationally known for giving the customer high fashion at high street prices. However as the stock of each shop depends on the demand of the customers in the area you might find something different here than what you get at home. Slightly smarter than Bershka, I have seen all ages shopping here. The tailoring is particularly good, so if you are on the lookout for smarter/work clothes then this could be your place.
Also see list of Zara shops in Barcelona.
Massimo Dutti
Del Portal de l'Angel, 24
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line, L3)
 |
| Massimo Dutti clothes shop in Barcelona |
This brand is another step up in both sophistication and price, however it is still reasonable, I found a fabulous jumper for €36.00. The clothes have more of a Spanish feel in their colour and fabrics, and they have quality accessories and leather shoes and bags.
System Action is similar to Massimo Dutti in both price and style.
If you are looking for International brands then the best thing to do is walk down Passeig de Gràcia. Here you will find Diesel, Miss Sixty as well as MaxMara, Chanel and Louis Vuitton (plus you get the bonus of a bit of sightseeing thrown in as you will pass Gaudi's famous building, La Pedrera No. 92 and his Casa Batlló, no. 43. It's a lovely street to wander down, wide and dotted with cafes which can provide a welcome rest, but in the international stores be prepared to pay the same prices as you would in any of these shops in London or Paris.
(Most of the shops already mentioned do not partake in the 14:00 - 17:00 siesta time when most other businesses shut, and often stay open until around 21:00. Normal shop opening times are 10:00 - 13:00 then 17:00 - 20:00)
Custo Barcelona
La Rambla, 109
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Liceu (Green Line, L3)
Alternatively, if you are searching for a bit of originality Barcelona style, then Custo might be your best bet. Custo is a well known Spanish designer, popular for his use of colour and wacky designs. The clothes are good quality but will set you back a fair amount with a simple T shirt costing at least €60.00.
Similar in style but slightly less expensive is Paramita, on La Ramblas just opposite Liceu metro station. For more information see our Custo Barcelona information page.
It is worth keeping in mind that shops such as Bershka, Mango and Zara all have a line of inexpensive shoes and accessories that are definitely worth checking out, and they go up to size 8 (41).
Swimwear shopping in Barcelona
One of the joys of Barcelona is the fact that is right next to the beach, therefore swimwear is an essential.
Calzedonia
Avinguda Portal d'Angel, 3-5
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya/Liceu (Green Line, L3), 10 minute walk from either station.
This is an amazing shop full of original designs and styles. The quality is good even if the prices can easily reach €50.00 for a bikini. You will look fabulous on the beach though.
Plus Sized Clothes Shopping
Etam
Glories Shopping Centre
Diagonal, 208
08018 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Glories (Red Line, L1) 10 minutes walk from the metro.
Website for glories shopping centre: lesglories.com
If you are looking for plus-sized clothes then try Etams in the Glories shopping Centre. There are also other stores in the shopping centre that stock this type of clothing as well as the giant Carrefour.
Shoes shopping in Barcelona
La Manual Alpargatera
If you are a shoe addict, or if you are searching for your perfect pair of espadrilles (surely a must-buy in Spain) you can not miss this famous shop. This company, whose workshop is behind the shop, has been making espadrilles for almost a century and is so well-known for its handicraft, as well as for the atmosphere inside the shop and the charm of its Catalan staff that it can count Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas and late Pope John Paul II as customers.
They also sell bags, hats and canes all made from natural materials.
You can also find some stylish vegan shoes at Amapola.
If you just want a pair of normal espadrilles don't forget you can pick them up in most Spanish supermarkets (like Carrefour Express on Las Ramblas) for about €5.00.
Camper is another famous international brand that you may be surprised to know is Spanish. The trendy shop and new 25 room Camper hotel can be located near the MACBA (Museum of contemporary art) in the lively Raval district of La Rambla.
See our page on Camper shops in Barcelona.
Noel Barcelona
Carrer Pelai, 48
08001 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green Line, L3) 3 minutes walk
Amazingly here is where you will find the most unbelievable collection of cowboy boots. Every style and colour, a pair will set you back at least €150.00.
They do of course have other shoes too, trainers, espadrilles, it's a veritable one-stop shoe shop.
Cosmetics shopping
 |
| cosmetics shopping in Barcelona |
El Corte Inglés
Plaza de Catalunya, 14
08002 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green line, L3)
You can't beat Corte Inglés, it's one of Spain's leading department stores and is known for its range of cosmetics (and almost everything else you could need). It's also an refreshing air conditioned place to pop into to cool down after a hard day's shopping.
See our detailed page on El Corte Inglés stores in Barcelona.
Sephora
Carrer Pelayo, 13-37
CC Del Triangle
08001 Barcelona, España.
Metro: Catalunya (Green line, L3) 2 minutes walk
Website: Sephora
This international cosmetics emporium has a large shop stocking the trendy make up brands and every perfume under the sun.
Take advantage of the summer sales (Usually start first week in July to the end of August) where some shops slash their prices by up to 70% the word to look out for is Rebajas, or Rebaixes in Catalan.
If you prefer to do your shopping all under one roof then you best head to L'Illa which is a mall on El Diagonal (Lilla), 10 minutes walk from Cortes metro station. Here you'll find Bershka, Mango to interior design shops and Decathlon which has every item of sporting equipment you could ever need.
Outlet shopping- Shopping Village (Just outside Barcelona)
La Roca Village
La Roca del Valles
Regular bus service from Barcelona
Sagalés runs a bus service from Fabra i Puig Bus Station (Barcelona) to La Roca Village.
Operating days: Monday - Sunday
From Barcelona to La Roca Village
06:15 - 19:20
From La Roca Village to Barcelona
07:58 - 20:48
Price per journey: €4.50
Time of the journey: 50 minutes.
Tel: +34 93 842 3939
Website: La Roca Village
Here you will find over 80 leading brands such as Camper, Cacharel, Ralph Lauren and Quicksilver at prices reduced by about 60% all year round, all conveniently situated in this 'village' inspired by late 18th century Catalan architecture. A helpfully point is there is also a playground for restless children.
Here in Barcelona you will come across the same shops over and over again, for example there are 2 Bershka shops on Av. Portal d'Angel, there is also one just up Carrer Pelai, more on Plaça Universidad, on L'illa mall and so on, so whether you are a dedicated shopper wanting to plan your trip, or just hoping to stroll around and find things as you do, Barcelona is perfect.