Barcelona Shopping

A shopaholic’s paradise, cosmopolitan Barcelona is littered with stores for all audiences and price ranges. The fashionista meccas are Plaça Catalunya and Passeig de Gràcia in l’Eixample. Those on the prowl for typical European women’s clothing—and if you’re lucky, big discounts—should check out Calle Portaferrissa, Calle Pelai in front of Pl. Catalunya, and Avinguda Portal de l’Àngel. A stroll down Calle d’Avinyó and its smaller side streets will prove beneficial for anyone into underground fashion, as will a trip to La Ribera or Gràcia’s hip boutiques. Less expensive jewelry, accessories, and other knick-knacks can be found on Calle Boqueria. For more legitimate jewelry, meander into one of the treasure chests on Calle Call. One good destination for bargain-hunting is Carrer Girona, between C. Casp and Gran Via, in l’Eixample. There, you’ll find a small string of discount shops offering clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories. (Tetuán. Walk 2 blocks down Gran Via and take a left on C. Girona.) Carrer Bruc, one street over, offers more retail delights for bargain hunters. Be aware that stores marked “Venta al Mejor” are wholesalers who don’t take kindly to browsing. Another area to try for discounts is the Mercat Alternatiu (Alternative Market) on C. Riera Baixa in El Raval. (Liceu. Take C. de l’Hospital—a right off La Rambla facing the ocean—and follow it to C. Riera Baixa, the 7th right, shortly after the stone hospital.) This short street is crammed with secondhand and thrift stores. For a department store, El Corte Inglés by Pl. Catalunya holds anything and everything between its massive walls (including a supermarket in the basement).

Art And Film

Cinemascope, C. de la Perla, 29 (☎ 932 37 27 20). Fontana. Walk down C. Gran de Gràcia and make a left onto C. de Montseny. This street turns into C. de la Perla. Film buffs will drool over this ...more

Books

La Central del Raval, C. Elisabets, 6 (☎ 902 88 49 90; www.lacentral.com and www.centralcafe.com), off La Rambla in El Raval. Catalunya. Literature and nonfiction in 7 languages in a spacious bookstore ...more

Clothing

Clink, C. Verdi, 14, (☎ 933 02 88 68). Fontana. Walk down C. d’Asturies to C. Verdi. C. Verdi is home to many a cute boutique; this one stands out with its collection of brightly colored dresses ...more

Major Chains

Blanco, C. Pelai, 1 (☎ 933 18 23 40; www.blancoint.com). Affordable clothing usually true to the year’s (or season’s) styles. Much like the United States brand Old Navy, right down to the pop ...more

Markets

Mercat de Sant Josep/La Boqueria, La Rambla de Sant Josep. Liceu. Come to buy jamón serrano or mussels for dinner, or to ogle the tongues, hearts, and feet of recently slaughtetred critters. The front ...more

Oddities

Enrique Tomas, C. Rogent, 94 (☎ 934 33 56 69; www.enriquetomas.com). Clot. Walk quite a ways (several blocks) up C. Rogent. If you have a passion for jamon iberico, then this is the place for you. From ...more

On The Front Lines Of The Thriving Music Business

C D Drome, C. Valldonzella, 3 (☎ 933 17 46 46; www.cddrome.com). Universitat. Hip record store specializing in electronica and house. DJ your own personal dance party at the vinyl listening stations ...more

We Have A Great Idea For A First Date

Condoneria, Pl. Sant Josep Oriol, 7 (☎ 933 02 77 21; www.condoneria-bcn.com). Liceu. Good-humored sex shop with a wide selection of vibrators, toys, lubes, condoms, and countless other items that ...more