Shopping

Shopping in Barcelona

It's not acceptable to go to Barcelona and not shop. Passeig de Gracia and the streets on its South West; Carrer de la Boqueria and Carrer de Ferran in Barri Gotic; Portal de l’Angel where products from expensive brands can be found; Avinguda Diagonal which is a boulevard filled with stores of brands like Calvin Klein, Armani, Versace and Gucci; Les Galores which is a shopping center; Maremagnum which is open til 10 pm on Sundays; El Bulevard Rosa, the area of boutiques; El Corte Ingles in Plaça de la Catalunya; and La Ramblia full of gift shops, florists and bookstores are the places you need to visit. We also wanted to give you some other recommendations in case you seek other stores according to your taste. 

Locals of Barcelona...

El Delgado Buil

It's known as one of the most creative brands in Barcelona in design. You can find their stores in many parts of the city, get to know them and become a fan but it's best to see El Delgado Buil's works in their own place.

Lledo 4-6

La Manual Alpargatera

A store where Spanish espadrille lovers will lose themselves. They take classical espadrilles, add an extra sole to one, some ribbons to the other and create new models that will appeal to different tastes.

Carrer Avinyó, 7

Cortana

In Cortana, which is known as the tailor of Spanish movie artists, you can pick elegant dresses made of cashmere, wool or silk from their hangers or have an appointment first and come back home with personally designed clothes.

Carrer dels Flassaders, 41

Josep Abril Studio

This is one of the best examples of old school tailoring. Just go there and they'll make right the suit for your body with the fabric you choose. 

Jean Pierre Bua

One needs to explore the creative world of Jean Pierre Bua, who is one of the most important Catalan designers. 

Special stores...

Paco Rueda

Luis Rueda sells your favorite brands like Raf by Raf Simons, Ally Capellino, Henrik Vibskob, Wood Wood, Opening Ceremony, Surface To Air, Folk and A.P.C. in this store he took over from his father 5 years ago. l

Carrer de Jaume I 

Blow by Le Swing

Dear YSL, Chanel, Louis Vuitton enthusiasts who say "I'll even wear a sheet if it comes from 1950s!". Blow by Le Swing is exactly your thing.

Doctor Dou, 11

Baum

A stylish store selling special products for those who like vintage, bohemian, indie and chic clothes.

Carrer Sèneca, 29

Coquette

Coquette is the meeting place for many products of famous brands like Gat Rimon, See by Chloe, Black Lily, By Zoe, Isabel Marant, Custommade and especially for those who like silk. Its name means "fancy" in French.

Discos Juandó

Discos Juandó, which actually has vinyls of soul, funk and jazz music, is a store which also sells 80's classics for younger customers at a reasonable prices.

Ivo & Co

It's not nice to only think about yourself. If you think that you also need to shop for your home, the address where you'll find products for kitchen, bathroom, garden as well as children's books is Ivo & Co.

Carrer Rec, 20

Motel

You'll find many vintage stores side by side on Reira Baixa Street. Motel is one of those who sell the best and the most various products among them.

Reira Baixa, 5

Stil Light

Special products from Londra, Paris and New York streets; collections of collaborators like Wood Wood and Via Snella; art books; t-shirts with Cecilia Sorensen autographs on them... Catalan colors mixed with Scandinavian minimalism are on sale on the shelves of Stil Light.

Notariat 8

Market places, market places...

There is life in the market places of Barcelona. These places, where fresh cheese, fish, fruits and vegetables are put on sale at 6 am in almost every neighbourhood of city, are also popular addresses for breakfast and lunch. Here are the names of the market places that you can drop by depending on the neighbourhood you are in:

1.  Plaça de La Reial in Barri Gotic turns into a flea market on Sundays. It's possible to find anything you're looking for from accessories to dishware or shoes and bags.

2. When you open your eyes and look carefully in Els Encants in Eixample Dreta, you can find lapel pins that used to be worn by grandmas, spoons for tea sets and fine kitchen gadgets among broken televisions, machines and mirror pieces. Don't forget to negotiate the pric. (Placa de les Glories).

3. Even if you're not going to buy, it's nice to spend a morning between fresh flowers in Mercat de la Concepcio which is also located in Eixample Dreta. 

4. The most famous market place in Barcelona is La Boqueria located on La Rambla. Don't forget to taste El Quim's chorizzo sandwiches for breakfast and the mussel with garbanzo from Pinotxo, where people form lines, for lunch.

5. Mercat de Sant Antoni (Carrer Comte d'Urgell,1) in El Raval is the choice of locals.

6. You need to get a table in Cuines Santa Caterina and order your drinks after being amazed by the colorful roof of Mercat Santa Caterina (Francesc Cambó, 16) in El Born.

7. Id you intend to see Catalan street artists' works, you can drop by the stands that are set up every day in Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol.

Accommodation

In Barcelona, which attracts tourist throughout year as the biggest city of Spain after Madrid, there are many accommodation alternatives. You can take a look at our list for the best Barcelona hotels for your budget.

For those who seek luxury...

Ohla

The things that will draw your attention the most in the design of the hotel, which has been dedicated to the surrealist Catalan artist Frederic Amat, are the open pool that can see the whole Barcelona from the terrace and the floor staff that asks what kind of smell you'd like in your room.

Via Laietana 49

Tel:+34 93 341 5050 

Neri

A heaven in Thailand, Bahamas or Far East; breakfast in bed and peace. These are what Neri promises.

C/Sant Sever, 5

Tel. +34 93 304 06 55 

W Hotel

W Hotel, which looks like a sail on the edge of the city in La Barceloneta, is the only address for luxury, comfort and minimal design.

Plaça Rosa dels Vents, 1 

Tel: +34 932 95 28 00 

Hotel Pulitzer

Right at the center of Catalunya Square, Pulitzer has an amazing bar where locals also drop by for a drink in the evenings.

Bergara, 8,

Tel: +33 (0) 1 53 34 98 10

For more budget-friendly choices...

The 5 Rooms

This hotel, which offers two different options as apartments or rooms, has come out of the hands of Jessica Delgado, who is an American. The rooms are decorated with brick walls, candle lights, bouquets, books and many artworks.

Carrer de Pau Claris 72

Tel: +34 93 342 7880 

Casa Camper

There are hammocks hung from one side of the room to the other in the city-style hotel of Camper shoes. The common areas are designed as lounges where one can read magazines and books.

Carrer d'Elisabets 11

Tel: +34 93 342 6280 

Chic & Basic

The whole hotel is white. The rooms are small but well designed. The shower located at the tip of your toes is ideal if you want to jump in water right after leaving bed.

Carrer de la Princesa 50

Tel: +34 93 295 4652 

Barceló Raval

This is a hotel in fucshia, lime green and neon colors. Its real thing is the amazing terrace which lays Barcelona before your eyes. 

Rambla del Raval 17-21

Tel: +34 93 320 1490 

Villa Emilia

At tea time, you'll find yourself buried under pillows in a terrace and Villa Emilia invites you to coctail in candle light right after that.

Carrer de Calabria 115-117

Tel: +34 93 252 5285

Hostels...

Hostels, which are mostly preferred by students to accommodate, make one of the cheapest accommodation alternatives available in Barcelona. 

Kabul

Plaça Reial 17

Tel: +34 93 318 5190 

Gothic Point

Carrer Vigatans 5

Tel: +34 93 268 7808 

Casa Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia 116

Tel: +34 93 187 4497 

Centric Point

Passeig de Gràcia 33

Tel: +34 93 231 2045

Mambo Tango Youth Hostel

Carrer de Poeta Cabanyes 23

Tel. +34 93 442 5164

Food

Food and Drink in Barcelona

Spain branch of mezze: Tapas... What accompany tapas are local drinks that are consumed like mineral water and paella that is served with sea food and sausages on a wide plate. We wanted to help you with the places you can eat the most famous foods of Barcelona and brought the best Barcelona restaurant together. Here are the ones we picked for you from many options:

Breakfast time

Bar Velódromo

If you've waken up early to catch the city's magic and all the places to see, you can get yourself a seat among Bar Velódromo's crowd and order your omlette and croissants with fresh orange juice on the side.

Muntaner, 213

Tel: +34 934 30 60 22

Ciudad Condal

Ciudad Condal, which is right at the center of La Plaza de Cataluña, feeds everyone, both who love eating and who only want to taste, until they are too full to move. The menu, which starts with eggs with artichoke; bullseye egg with matchstick potates, patatas bravas and ham sandwich, continues with open tapas buffet and you haven't even got a chance to look at desserts.

Rambla de Catalunya, 18

Tel: +34 933 181 997

Xurerria Trebol

Another place for early risers. Go to the counter and as for a croquetta (balls filled with vegetables, potatoes or cheese) or churro.

Corsega, 341

Tel: +34 932 179 594

Lunch...

Kaiku

It's the smartest thing to go to Kaiku, which is located in front of the sea in La Barceloneta region, during the lunch hours. You'll eat the best sea food on Barcelona while enjoying the Mediterranean view. 

Plaça Del Mar,1

Tel: +34 932 21 90 82

Saüc

Of you go to a dinner to a Michelin star restaurant, the prices will be very high and you'll have to wait half an hour to get a seat. However, if you drop by Saüc until 12 pm, you get to eat great food for affordable amounts and meet chef.

Ptge Lluis Pelicer, 12

Bar Mut

This places defines itself as the modern tavern. There are chef-versions of many traditional tapas' like mussels, cucumbers and foie gras in its menu.

Carrer Pau Claris, 192

Tel: +34 932 17 43 38

Horchateria  Sirvent

Horchateria Sirvent is waiting for those who think one can eat sweet at every hour of a day with nougat, chocolate, marzipan and all the greatest desserts of the world.

Carrer del Parlament de Catalunya, 56

Tel: +34 934 41 27 20

Patxoca

The best organoc restaurant in the city. Their lasagne with tahini and aubergine is a must-taste.

Carrer Mercaders, 28 

Tel: +34 933 19 20 29

Gelaaati

You'll eat your ice-cream in Gelaaati, for sure. Tiramisu, chocolate, milky chocolate and extra chocolate are some of the flavours and there are at least 20 more.

Carrer de la Llibreteria, 7

Tel: +34 933 10 50 45

Dinner...

Tapaç 24 / Commerç 24

You may have heard El Bulli, which is the most important for molecular gastronomy name in the world and is closed now. Carles Abellan, who had worked with El Bulli's chef Ferran Adrià, opened Comerç 24 with what he had learned in El Bulli and then opened Tapaç 24 to serve quality food with more affordable prices. Foods are delicious. The only problem is that they don't make reservations and there is a possibility that you'll have to wait at the door for an hour to be seated. 

Madame Jasmine

This place is especially popular among lady groups. A variety bocadillos (sandwiches) and your choice from the cocktail menu are carefully prepared.

Rambla Raval, 22

Tel: +34 607 88 04 43

Bohèmic

Bohèmic is a gourmet tapas restaurant with food coming from the hands of Francesc Gimeno. Foie gras with asparagus, chilli eggs with sausages and Siberian cabbage are some of the specialties that you need to order.

Carrer de Manso, 42 

Tel: +34 934 24 06 28

Lolita

You should get there before 8 pm to not be one of those waiting at Lolita’s door and order croquets with cheese, tomatoes and risotto on the side of your anchovy fillet.

Tamarit, 104

Tel: +34 934 24 52 31

El Bestial

If paella will be a part of your evening menu, you'll want to eat it in a restaurant facing the sea, for sure. That's why we wanted to recommend a restaurant where you'll be waited on by people with white shirts while listening to the sound and inhaling the smell of Mediterranean Sea, right under Hotel Arts. 

El Carrer de Ramon Trias Fargas, 2

Tel: +34 932 24 04 07

Casa Lucio

If you are willing to pay a little more for good food, we can say that you need to reserve your table in Casa Lucio in advance. This is a food temple created by Lucio and his wife Maribel. Don't even think about what to eat and ask for a little bit of everything from Lucio. He'll understand.

Carrer Viladomat, 59

Tel: +34 934 24 44 01

Emergency Numbers

Country Code: +34

Ambulance: 933 002 020

Police: 932 903 000

Airport: 902 404 704

Pharmacy: 934 810 060

Taxi: 934 208 088

Fire: 977 635 112

Places to see

Places to Visit Barcelona

All buildings, all street lamps, even all balcony railings in Barcelona can be photographed and used to make your friends jealous of the beautiful city that you are in. There are way too many places in Barcelona to see with famous architect Gaudi's unique style, green gardens, modern art galleries, streets and the city's shoreline.

La Sagrada Familia

Gaudi's masterpiece, which has made history as the incomplete church, started to be built in 1882 but it was never completed. You can't see it in photos. It's more impressive when you're there.

Calle Mallorca, 401

Parc Guell

This park, which Gaudi designed by imagining what would a wave in the sea look like, is filled with tourists who write the names of the beloved ones on sand and take photos of them, violin players, a cappella singers and cartoonists.

Carrer d'Olot 5

Casa Battlo

Another Gaudi masterpiece on Passeig de Gràcia. Looking from the outside, it creates the impression that it was made out of a pile of skulls. It was designed for Señor Batlló, who was one of the most important aristocrats of his period.

Passeig de Gràcia, 43

La Pedrera

Also known as Casa Milà. La Padrera, which was being constructed between 1905 and 1910, had been designed as a living area and an office. Today, Espai Gaudí has exhibitions on the top floor; concerts are organized in its terrace during August.

Carrer de Provença 261-265 

Green Heavens... 

Almost all parts of the city is encircled with parks and green areas. It's to an extent that even boulevards are seperated from cars with tree lines so that people can walk and ride bicycles in the middle. If you are tired of boutiques and small stores around El Born ad looking for an escape spot, we recommend you to sit on a bench that sees the geese in the lake in Parc de la Ciutadella or enjoy the rest of your time in the zoo.

I've watched you from a hill Barcelona!

You may catch one of the best views of the city by taking the cableway in Montjuïc, which was extended during the Olympics; you may come across some temporary exhibitions or permanent works of the artist in Espace Miro; you may take a look at motorcycle races in the olympic stadium; you may explore MHCAT museum to learn the history of Catalan Museum or spend a day at the botanical gardens. In any way, you'll put your relationship aside and fall in love with Barcelona. Another ridge that you need to climb up to see abandoned amusement parks, diplomats living on modernized buldings and one of the best views of the city is Temple de Sagrat Cor in Tibidabo Hill.

Modern Art Stops.. 

Kowasa

An important photo gallery. But one actually needs to go to its bookstore and get lost among more than 10000 art books.

Carrer de Mallorca, 235

Tel: +34 932 15 80 58 

Senda

Musicians, artists, people who have worked on movie sets, fashion designers... All of them come together behind the walls of Senda Gallery. After that? A different vision in each exhibition; a different experiment.

Carrer del Consell de Cent

Tel: +34 934 87 67 59 

Miscelanea

There are great things in your program like shopping for the most liked posters, learning how to make stencil, sitting on a couch and sipping your beer, watching short films, making music on Gameboy and creating collages.

08001Calle Guardia, 10 

Tel: +34 933 17 93 98 

Fundació Antoni Tàpies

It's an important center especially to see recent Catalan artists.

Carrer d'Aragó, 255

Tel: +34 934 87 03 15 

CaixaForum

Great photo and video exhibitions are organized here and it has an amazing store where they sell art and a             rchitecture books as well as comics.

Av. Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8

Tel: +34 934 76 86 00

Cosmocaixa

Many scientific activities that tell about aquariums and the way world works can be experienced throughout year in Cosmocaixa, which is kids' favourite. 

Carrer d'Isaac Newton, 26

Tel: +34 932 12 60 50

MACBA

You'll say "Voila!' when you visit one of the permenant exhibitions of MACBA. This is the address people point out for contemporary art in Spain.

Plaça dels Àngels,1

Tel: +34 934 12 08 10

Barcelona Neighbourhoods

Barcelona's magic is that there are beaches waiting for you just 10 minutes away from the city center. That's why don't forget to put your swimsuits in your luggage and enjoy the sun laying on a sunbed in one of the beaches in La Barceloneta. Some of the beaches – like Mar Bella – supports nudity. That's why you may want to choose some of the calmer beaches like Llevant. 

Pakistanis, Erasmus students, those who just moved out from New Zealand and Turks... El Raval reassures the idea that cosmopolitan life is the best of all with an alternative universe where a beer is 1.5€ and a dinner costs 10€. Of course you are free to party until the morning and sit on the floor in the squares.

Barcelona's hippest neighbourhood with a high density of restaurants and shops per m2 is El Born.

In Eixample Dreta, you are in a calm serene and cosmopolitan area, among families with kids and market places - in short, you are in streets that go silent at nights. Let those who want to eat good food, visit a couple of stores and read their books in a cafe hear about it!

Assuming that you come to La Rambla from the city center, you need to take the El Carrer de Ferran street on your left. The road will lead you to a neighbourhood which is connected to many narrow streets on every side. This is Barrio Gótic. You can eat lunch in Plaça Reial, go in and out of boutiques and buy CDs from street musicians.

An old couple is sitting in the shadows of trees and a young man near them takes off his headphones and says "Hi!" to them. Graci has an old school neighbourhood life. 

Night Life 

In Barcelona, night life is never over. People, who start sipping their appetizer drinks in their neighbourhoods' bars after work, rush to La Barceloneta beaches in summer and to big clubs to dance in winter right after their dinners. Is the club closed at 5 am? No worries. It's quite possible that you'll find music till 12 pm at the back of the pizza place. 

Casette

It's a cool place with graffitis from artists on the wall and it promises a great indie sound.

Carrer de l'Est, 11

Tel: +34 933 02 85 09 

Bety Ford

The night starts more like a prep course for dance. Since its owner is from Australia, there is a chance to meet people from all around the world.

Carrer de Joaquín Costa, 56

Tel: +34 933 04 13 68

Heliogabal

General rule: In Barcelona, music doesn't start before 11 am. Exception: There is no doubt that Heliogabal where tables get full at 7.30 am with people who come to listen to live music is a temple for indie music.

Carrer de Ramón y Cajal, 80

Tel: +34 936 76 31 32 

CDLC and Opium

Actually tourists, not locals, hang out in CDLC and Opium. It's possible to meet people from all around the world but it's hard to find someone from Barcelona.

CDLC: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 32 Tel: +34 932 24 04 70, http://www.cdlcbarcelona.com

Opium: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 34; Tel: +34 902 26 74 86

 Marsella

The greatest bar in the neighbourhood: Marsella.

Sant Pau, 64

Tel: +34 934 42 72 63 

Moog

Electronic music and dance. It's possible to summarize Moog with these two words.

Carrer de l'Arc del Teatre, 3

Tel: +34 933 19 17 89 

Los Juanele

This place is not to watch Flamenco but to dance with all your heart.

Aldana, 4

City Hall

New high school graduates and college freshmen of this city gather in City Hall to dance to the rhythm of the music.

Rambla de Catalunya, 2 

Tel: +34 932 38 07 22 

242

It's 07:21 in the morning, 242 is waiting for you with its closed area if you're still willing to dance.  Entança, 37

Sidecar

Sometimes parties, mostly people on the stage and always a crowd.

Plaça Reial, 7 

Tel: +34 933 02 15 86