Barcelona Weekend Break

Shopping in Barcelona

You will find no shortage of shops, markets and large stores in Barcelona, but the names of these outlets will probably be largely unfamiliar.

If you check out our “Markets” page (from the top menu) you can find out more about the markets of Barcelona, what they sell, when they are open etc.

High Street Stores

If you want to shop of the high street you will see few of the names that you will be accustomed to in the UK (or your home country). Quite naturally, Spain has its own national brands, major department store and chic boutiques and most are particular to Spain.

Spanish stores

This list is far from exhaustive, but it gives you some name-checks on some popular Spanish shops that you will find on a Barcelona weekend break.

• El Corte Ingles is a large national department store and its name means the “English cut” (referring to style). These stores appear across Spain and one of the biggest is in the heart of Barcelona. It sells just about everything imaginable from clothing and furniture to foods and electrical appliances and it fills a multi-storey building. The restaurant on the top floor is also worth a visit in its own right.

• Zara is an international, but highly affordable clothing brand based in Spain. It is extremely popular with the female gender and offers catwalk styles at a fraction of the expected costs. The brand has bigger and better outlets in Spain than elsewhere.

• Triangle is a large shopping centre in the plaza de Cataluna. Inside you will find some familiar names like Habitat, but also some less familiar stores. It has cafes and all of the typical trapping of a large shopping centre.

• Massimo Dutti is a local brand boutique with a good reputation for style and quality. There is more than one outlet in Barcelona.

• Custo Barcelona is big on style and price. It is a local name that now enjoys an international reputation and those who can afford to shop there want for very little.

• Mango is yet another fashion store and it is popular with all who want to be seen. Prices cover all ranges and it has enjoyed some famous celebrities as clients over recent years.

• Heron City is a mix of shops and entertainment and is fun for all the family.

• Maremagnum in the Olympic port area is another multi-purpose building with shops, a cinema and much more.

Returning purchases

Unfortunately, the adherence to trading laws that we see in many other countries (e.g. UK) seem to fall by the wayside in Spain. Consequently getting your money back is difficult, even if your purchase is faulty. Requesting a refund because you changed your mind, or because the item is not what you expected will see you given a look of disbelief by the store.

When buying in Spain you need to ensure that any clothing garment is the right size and that anything else is bought with the full intention of keeping it. Buying on a whim and then trying to return will rarely result in a refund or exchange.

If you do have a problem, you should follow the process here -

Request the complaints book called an “hoja de reclamacion”. On some occasions simply asking for it will proved fruitful. Alternatively proceed to take your copy of the completed form to the city “consumer information office” (OMIC). They may then be able to apply some pressure or help.