The best shopping centres in Barcelona

Los mejores centros comerciales de Barcelona

Do you know which are the best shopping centres in Barcelona? From all the department stores in the Catalan city, we’ve made an exquisite selection of the best shopping centres to visit if you’re in the city centre or anywhere else in the city.

Like all major cities, Barcelona offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities, from malls and high-fashion boutiques to quirky boutiques and flea markets. According to the Globe Shopper Index, compiled by The Economist, Barcelona ranks as Europe’s most profitable luxury shopping destination, thanks to its relatively low retail prices for high-end clothing, jewellery and watches.

The Catalan capital also caters for bohemians, with vintage shops becoming increasingly popular, especially in the old town and Gracia.

Here’s our guide to the best shopping centres, as well as some of Barcelona’s best shopping streets and areas.

Plaza Catalunya

Plaza Catalunya

Few people visit Barcelona without a visit to Spain’s flagship department store, El Corte Inglés, the main one of which is located in the heart of the city, Plaza Catalunya. It is one of the best places to shop for designer clothes, accessories and cosmetics. Spread over 9 floors, the shop offers everything from jewellery, women’s, men’s and children’s fashion to shoes, furniture, electronics, books and toys. It even has a hairdressing salon and a travel agency.  Its famous La Rotunda restaurant on the top floor offers a respite from shopping with stunning views of the city.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 09:30 to 21:00.

Address: Plaza de Catalunya, 14

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Portal del Ángel

portal de l'angel

Just down from El Corte Inglés is Portal del Ángel, a pedestrianised street ideal for fashion shops such as Pull & Bear, Zara, Massimo Dutti, Springfield, Benetton, H&M, Bershka, Mango, as well as mobile phone shops and a Disney shop. At 250 metres long and characterised by a large neon thermometer, Portal del Angel runs parallel to Las Ramblas, which also offers shopping opportunities but is more geared towards tourists.

Paseo de Gracia

Paseo de Gracia

Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s best known shopping street, offers luxury shops such as Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Gucci, Diesel, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Chanel and many more. There are also jewellery and luxury accessory shops, such as Bvlgari, Cartier, Rolex and Swarovski, and at the Plaza Catalunya end of the street you will also find a large Apple Store. Alongside the designer shops is some of the world’s most recognisable architecture, such as La Pedrera and Gaudí’s Casa Batllò, as well as some wonderful cafés and restaurants with terraces, perfect for people-watching, and for early evening aperitifs and tapas, visit the restaurant El Nacional, at Paseo de Gracia 24.

Diagonal Mar

Diagonal Mar

With more than 200 shops, Diagonal Mar is one of Barcelona’s largest shopping centres. Located at the Mediterranean end of the Diagonal, in the Sant Martí district, it is an ideal place to shop and eat after a day at the beach, which is just a 5-minute walk away. The centre offers a mix of Spanish and international brands, as well as a huge Alcampo and Media Markt supermarket for all your technology needs. To finish off your shopping, you can go to one of the many restaurants on the outdoor terrace or watch one of the films shown in the 11-screen cinema.

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 – 22:00.

Restaurants and cinema: Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 1:00. Friday, Saturday 10:00 – 3:00.

Address: Avinguda Diagonal 3

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L’Illa diagonal

L'Illa diagonal

Located halfway along Avenida Diagonal, between the districts of Les Corts and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, L’Illa is Barcelona’s oldest shopping centre (built in 1993) and arguably its most luxurious.

Popular for its designer fashion and stylish accessories, homewares and sportswear, it also has a beautiful food court, which often offers tastings.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 9:30pm.

Address: Av. Diagonal 569

Las Arenas

Las Arenas

Originally a bullring from 1900, this modern Plaza España shopping centre was rebuilt and redesigned in 2011. Today it is one of the city’s coolest shopping centres.  In addition to a wide variety of shops spread over three levels, the centre also has a cinema, a gym, numerous restaurants and even a Rock Museum. Many people only go to the centre for the panoramic view from the circular terrace on the 5th floor (tip: if you don’t want to pay, you can use the escalators from inside the centre).

Opening hours:

Shops: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00 (June to September). Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 21:00 (October to May).

Restaurants: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 1:00 / Friday, Saturday and public holidays 10:00 – 3:00.

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373-385

Glòries

Glòries

The Glòries shopping centre was renovated over a two-year period, from 2015 to 2017, and is now one of the best places to spend a day shopping in Barcelona. One of the great attractions of Glories is that many of its outlets are located outside, so it’s like being in a mini shopping village. You can also find sculptures and posters by Spanish designer Javier Mariscal. In addition to its many shops, there is also a cinema, a gym, Carrefour and a good selection of restaurants.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 10pm.

Address: Avinguda Diagonal 208

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Maremàgnum

Maremàgnum

Opened in 1995, Maremàgnum is one of Barcelona’s most characteristic shopping centres.  Located at the end of a wooden pier at the foot of Las Ramblas, it has a unique mirrored entrance and offers stunning views of the Mediterranean and the city. This shopping centre offers a wide variety of shops, from fashion to homeware, as well as a cinema and several restaurants from which to enjoy the views. Located right next to the city’s Aquarium, it is an ideal stop for children (tip: take the time to see the floating works of art by sculptor Robert Llimós: the “Miraestels”).

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10.00 am to 10.00 pm.

Address: Moll d’Espanya, 5

La Maquinista

La Maquinista

The only open-air shopping complex in Barcelona, La Maquinista is also one of the largest in Catalonia.

More like a shopping village, this complex, which opened in 2000, is full of little squares and alleyways.  In addition to some 250 shops, including an Apple Store, there is a cinema and numerous restaurants. La Maquinista can be reached by metro (L1 Sant Andreu) or by car by taking the Trinidad exit off the Ronda de Dalt.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 10pm.

Address: Carrer de Potos

Gràcia

Barrio de Gracia

Gracia has something to offer Barcelona’s hipster crowd, with chic independent boutiques dotting its charming streets. This bohemian area feels like a different world compared to neighbouring Paseo de Gracia, partly due to the fact that it was an independent city until the late 19th century.

As well as quirky shops, Gracia is packed with trendy bars and restaurants and is the ideal area for those looking for something out of the ordinary. Some of the shops not to be missed are the Philo boutique and Retro City, with its floor-to-ceiling vintage shops.

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El Born

El Born

No shopping experience in Barcelona is complete without a visit to the beautiful Born. This unique district of the city’s old town brings together local designers with culture and design. Since the city’s beginnings, El Born has been a bastion of artisan shops, which is reflected in street names such as Via dels Sombrerers (‘Street of the Hatters’) and Via dels Argenters (‘Street of the Silversmiths’).

The main shopping streets in El Born are Carrer de la Princesa, Carrer dels Flassaders and Carrer de l’Argenteria, where you’ll find everything from vintage clothing to custom-made jewellery.

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