With its elegant tree-lined boulevards, atmospheric historic centre, and concentration of young artists and designers, Barcelona is a city made for shoppers.

Head to the old quarter to get lost in a maze of medieval streets where unique boutiques rub shoulders with Gothic palaces, or stroll the high-brow avenues of L’Eixample district for designer shops - and designer price tags. For bargain hunting, come in early January or early July, when the bi-annual Rabajas (‘Sales’) hit, and stores slash prices.

One-Stop Shopping

BULEVARD ROSA

Passeig de Gràcia 53-57 / 93 215 8331 / www.bulevardrosa.com

This one-storey mall is a maze of unique boutiques that takes up an entire city block. Check out the fanciful fashions of Tu Tarzán, Yo Jane (No.85), the edgy style of Zas Two, or the funky footwear at Zambo (No.39).

EL CORTE INGLES

Plaça Catalunya 14 & other city branches / 93 306 3800 / www.elcorteingles.es

Although perhaps lacking the glamour of a Selfridges or a Galleries Lafayette, Spain’s mega department store can’t be faulted for its sheer range and coverage. You’ll find everything from household appliances to the houses themselves on sale inside. Clothing, shoes, sporting equipment, books, music and furniture..it’s all here.

Fashion (Clothes & Shoes)

ANTONIO MIRO

Consell de Cent 349-351 / 93 487 0670 / www.antoniomiro.es

Perhaps Barcelona’s best-known designer, Antonio Miró is famous for the urban, understated elegance of his designs for men and women. Clean lines, unfussy looks and clothing that manages to be both hip and wearable have made him a household name. His leather accessories for men make great gifts.

CAMÍSERIA PONS

Gran de Gràcia 49 / 93 217 7292

This historic shop started life more than 100 years ago as an upscale shop for men. Now it sells a grab bag of decidedly smart fashions, mostly by Spanish labels such as Ailanto, Lydia Delgado and Antonio Miró.

CAMPER

Valencia 249 / 93 217 2384

Quirky, comfortable, and definitely cool, Camper shoes are popular world-wide, but the family-owned brand is based here in Spain.

CARRER RIERA BAIXA

If you think of shopping as a treasure hunt, then this little street hidden in El Raval district is the place for you. Vintage, alternative and second-hand clothing stores suc as Mies & Felj (No.4) and Holala (No.11) line either side of the pedestrianised Carrer Riera Baixa.

CUSTO BARCELONA

Plaça de les Olles 7 / 93 268 7893 / www.custo-barcelona.com

Custo’s wild mixes and matches of colours, patterns and designs are not for wallflowers, but they’re lots of fun to wear. With successful shops in cities like New York and Paris, the brand has become a Barcelona icon.

FARRUTX

Diputació 255 / 93 487 9314 / www.farrutx.es

Buttery soft leather, sophisticated designs and a focus on exquisite detailing have made this Mallorcan brand one of Spain’s top shoe labels.

FUREST 

Passeig de Gràcia 12-14 / 93 301 2000 / www.furest.com

Guys after a sophisticated, clean-cut look can’t go wrong at Furest, a high-end menswear chain that first opened its doors in 1898. The excellent quality own-label range include polo shirts, dress shirts, linen jackets, cords and wool sweaters in every colour of the rainbow. You’ll also find some elegant footwear and a sprinkling of other labels including Zegna, Boss and YSL.

GONZALO COMELLA

Passeig de Gràcia 6 / 93 412 6600 / www.gonzalocomella.com

This fifth-generation family shop sells cool, cutting-edge fashion for men and women, with a well-chosen mix of Spanish and international labels like Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani and Prada Sport. There’s another branch at Via Augusta 2.

ISLA MARGARITA

Bulevard Rosa 25, Passeig de Gràcia 55-57 / 93 487 1434 / www.bulevardrosa.com

An intimate lingerie and swimwear boutique inside the Bulevard Rosa mall, this is a great place to find sexy, comfortable pieces by brands like TCN, Grafiti and Petit Bateau.

JOSEP FONT

Provença 304 / 93 487 2110 / www.josepfont.com

The most creative mind in Spanish fashion today, Josep Font wows with his fanciful, lavish and utterly romantic fashions for women. Whether he’s using bows and ruffles, shimmering fabrics and pleats, sumptuous textures, oversized flowers, or simple dangling ribbons, Font manages to add sophisticated femininity to every piece.

JEAN-PIERRE BUA

Diagonal 469 / 93 439 7100 / www.jeanpierrebua.com

Playful, urbane styles rule at this sleek boutique near the Plaça Francesc Maciá. Inside, you have a platter of designer labels to choose from: Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Dior, Alexander McQueen, and many more.

LA MANUAL ALPARGATERA

Avinyó 7 / 93 301 1829 / www.lamanualalpargatera.com

They still make rope-soled espadrilles the old-fashioned way at this family-run shop. Simple, wearable and a great local buy. Order them in any colour, shape or size, but be prepared to queue first.

LOEWE

Passeig de Gràcia 35 / 93 216 0400 / www.loewe.com

Without doubt Spain’s most elegant and international haute couture label, Loewe’s roots go back to 1846. The firm’s signatures are leather bags and accessories; the structured “Amazona” bag is timeless. If that doesn’t tempt, there are home accessories, shoes, and sexy yet wearable fashion for both men and women.

SOMBRERERIA OBACH

Calle 2 / 93 318 4094

Since it opened in 1925 not much has changed at this charming, old-fashioned hat shop. Find sombreros, berets, straw hats and other headgear of every shape and size. A Barelona treasure.

Jewellery & Accessories

TOUS

Rambla de Catalunya 110 / 93 878 4444 / www.tous.es

Rosa Tous has created one of Spain’s most popular icons: the Tous teddy bear (sounds hideous but isn’t). Buy it on necklaces, bracelets or earrings, or opt for other, intricate, organic designs with delicate detailing. A small range of Tous watches and bags too.

BAGUÉS JOIERIA

Passig de Gràcia 41 / 93 216 0173 / www.bagues.com

Known for its ornate, Modernist-inspired creations, Bagués’ fine jewellery fits with its surroundings - the Modernist Casa Amatller, designed by Puig i Cadafalch.

Books & Music

ALTÄIR

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 616 / 93 342 7171 / www.altair.es

Two floors dedicated solely to travel books (guides, narratives, journals and photographic) make Altäir heaven on earth for those with wanderlust.

LA CENTRAL

Mallorca 237 / 93 487 5018 / www.lacentral.com

An international bookshop for book lovers, this is an intellectual enclave where the staff have actually read most of the books for sale. There’s another location on Carrer Elisabets 6, in the Raval quarter.

DISCOS CASTELLÓ

Tallers 3,7,9 & 79 / 93 318 2041 / www.discoscastello.es

Actually a series of several shops, Discos Castelló is one of many hole-in-the-wall record stores on and around Carrer Tallers. This is a great place to find albums by lesser-known Spanish groups.

Art & Design

BD EDICIONES DE DISEÑO

Mallorca 291 / 93 458 6909 / www.bdbarcelona.com

This fabulous furniture gallery-cum-shop gives the Danes a run for thir money in terms of interiors cool. Highlights include replicas of the famous ‘Dalilips’ couch and Antonio Gaudí’s modernist designs. You can also pick up designs by big-name Spanish designers such as Óscar Tusquets and Javier Mariscal. As well as chairs and furniture there are a few cool, portable little gift items too.

ICI ET LÀ

Plaça Santa Maria del Mar 2 / 93 268 1167 / www.icietla.com

A quirky shop packed with unusual lamps, serving pieces, artisan furniture, glassware, ceramics and other odds and ends the owners have found in their travels across Europe. This is a great spot to find gifts.

SALA PARÉS

Petrixol 5 / 93 318 7020 / www.salapares.com

One of the most storied galleries in Barcelona, Sala Parés has been showcasing local artists since the late 19th century. Styles run the gamut from abstract to traditional landscapes.

VINÇON

Passeig de Gràcia 96 / 93 215 6050 / www.vincon.com

If you’ve only got time for one Barcelona shop, make it this haven of design. Housed in a gorgeous modernist building, Vinçon stocks everything from designer clocks, to furniture, to the coolest of kitchen gadgets.

Food & Wine

FORMATGERIA LA SEU

Dagueria 16 / 93 412 6548 / www.formatgerialaseu.com

You’ll smell it before you see it. Unique farm cheeses from all over Spain are sold in this little boutique owned, oddly enough, by a Scottish woman. Before you buy, request a tasting.

COLMADO QUILEZ

Rambla Catalunya 63 / 93 215 2356 / www.lafuente.es

Serving the neighbourhood for generations, this old-time grocer offers a little bit of everything from wines and spirits to high-end comestibles including great coffee, Sevruga caviar, foie gras and anchovies. Before you enter, spend awhile browsing the offerings in the huge window displays.

ESCRIBÀ

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 546 / 93 454 7535 / www.escriba.es

The artistic sweetmeat creations at this family-owned shop are almost too gorgeous to eat, including the ‘Candy Glam Rings’. Great chocolate too. You can also visit their Modernist-styled store and café at Las Ramblas 83.

LA BOQUERÍA

Rambla 91 / 93 318 2584 / www.boqueria.info

Set right beside La Rambla, Barcelona’s busiest fresh market La Boquería is a festival of colours, smells and tastes. Bring your camera; goat heads, un-skinned game, forests of ham haunches and shoals of fresh fish still gasping for air, share space with fruits, veggies, mushrooms and Spanish specialties such as cured ham, cheeses and olives. You’ll also find an interesting selection of extreme gift food items such as chocolate covered insects and scorpion lollypops.

MERCAT DE SANTA CATERINA

First built in 1848 and recently renovated by renowned Catalan arcitect the late Enric Miralles (of Scottish Parliament fame), this spacious architecturally splendid produce market also has a fabulous restaurant and tapas bar (see Eat). Less bustle and colour perhaps than La Boquería but well worth a visit and a bite all the same.

VILA VINITECA

Agullers 7-9 / 93 319 1956 / www.vilaviniteca.es

A wine lover could spend days mulling over the 3500-some wine references available at this shop in the Born neighbourhood. The really special bottles are kept in the back cellar - ask to be let in.

XOCOA

Petrixol 11 and other branches / 93 301 1197 / www.xocoa-bcn.com

This fun chocolate shop is a trend-setter in a movement that’s seen Barcelona become one of Europe’s top chocolate centres. Unique shapes, fillings and flavours make the chocolates from Xocoa great for gifts.

Antique & Artisan

CENTRE CATALÀ D’ARTESANIA

Banys Nous 11 / 93 467 4660 / www.artesania-catalunya.com

Local craftwork including ceramics, leatherwork, fashion and home décor are on show at this government-run artisan centre.

GALERIA F. CERVERA

Palla 9 / 93 301 1607

This high-end gallery, specialising in ancient archaeological artifacts, is one of several antique shops on the winding old street Carrer de la Palla.

EL BULEVARD DELS ANTIQUARIS

Passeig de Gràcia 55-57 / 93 215 4499 / www.bulevarddelsantiquaris.com

A mall of antiques, this is a gold mine of artwork, jewellery, furniture and other goodies from Spain and beyond.