David Brydon

Christmas Shopping in Barcelona



Posted: Thursday, November 27, 2008

by David Brydon
BCN Rentals

Barcelona is already a great place to shop, but when it comes to Christmas, you're spoilt for choice. So where are the must go places? Read on to find out!

Shopping in the Catalan Capital of Barcelona is one of the best things to do to aside from visiting many of the cultural and heritage sites the Mediterranean city has to offer. Shopping malls and small winding alleyways filled with shops are the hub of the centre of the city the old town, or Casc Antiguo - and there are certainly some bargains to be had if you know the right places. Also, remember that if you're visiting from outside the EU, you can claim back all the tax on your purchases simply pick up a form in any of the shops that have the tax free logo in the window. Then take all the receipts to the window in Terminal B in the airport, and you'll be sent a cheque for the difference of the tax! Here is my walk-through guide for your Christmas shopping.

I would start on the famous Paseig de Gracia street this is where all the main brands and designer boutiques are, as well as some great little malls such as Boulevard Rosa, just further down from Valencia street. This is a great place to start as you can have a coffee or breakfast on a terrace (remember the winters in Barcelona are very mild, and usually quite sunny during the day!) alongside one of Gaudi's masterpieces such as Casa Batllo or La Pedrera. Here you can pick up some fashion ideas from the big names such as Armani, Fendi, Gucci, etc. even if your wallet doesn't permit the real thing. Many of the smaller shops re-create very similar fashions, so it's a great place to start off with some ideas! Paseig de Gracia also has the main branches of Spanish Giant Zara, and the classics such as Levis , and Adidas. Continue south towards Pala Catalunya, and pass by the huge El Corte Ingls department store. I wouldn't bother going in here to be honest, as this has everything you could find in your own home town, and is like any huge department store.

It's a fact that leather is very cheap in Spain , and Barcelona is no exception, so the ladies can take advantage of great prices for belts, bags and shoes. Cross over the Plaa Catalunya and drink from the fountains of Canaletes if you wish (legend has it that if you drink from the fountains you will one day return to Barcelona ) and meander up Carrer Pelai, to the Plaa Universitat. This street, along with the nearby Portal del Angel is the best place to pick up your footwear, and don't be just expecting Winter Boots - Barcelona's mild climate means that there is always a selection of great footwear at attractive prices.

As previously mentioned, Zara has many downtown stores, but also has two outlet stores, where many a bargain can be grabbed - the store's name is Lefties, and one branch is at the end of Cerrer Pelai above. Time to trip back across Plaa Catalunya and descend into Portal del Angel Street to begin the gothic shopping journey. Portal del Angel is a wide, mainly pedestrian street, and is a great place for more shoes, latest fashions and CDs, books and other media from the second El Corte Ingls store. At the junction at the bottom, head left towards the city's cathedral and Christmas market which is a great mix of new and old. Catalan delicacies and traditional nativity decorations can be found here, along with the "cagatio" a comical log which children feed until Christmas until it is full, and "poos" out the gifts (no really). Also is the "caganen" another permanent fixture in any Nativity scene which is a man (modern versions can be your favourite Bara player or politician) also crouched over, "fertilising" the earth.

Doubling back on yourself, leads back to Carrer Portaferrissa the entrance to the old city (Portaferrissa means Iron Gate ), and one of the main shopping streets in Barcelona . Here you will find a myriad of local shops, perfumeries, and high street brands as well as some art and craft shops for those special gifts with a Barcelona stamp on them. At the end of Prtaferrissa, cross over Las Ramblas into Carrer Carmen until you reach the Rambla del Raval. Here you'll find a fantastic multi-cultural market full of local designers and their modern creations - the next Custo or Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is right here guys. Stroll down the Rambla del Raval and follow Drassanes until you reach the end of Las Ramblas and Christopher Columbus monument. Cross over the Rambla del Mar Bridge and you'll reach the Maremagnum complex. This is a great shopping mall on 2 levels, where you'll find stylish Spanish designer shops such as Desigual, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear alongside the classics such as H & M, and there are even a few ice cream cafes to top up those energy levels!

David writes about Self-catering apartments for rent Barcelona and Barcelona apartments for groups.
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