Barcelona is a serious shopping city, with everything from high-end fashion to flea market finds. Most shops close for lunch (roughly 1:30-5pm) on weekdays, though shopping centres and tourist-area shops stay open all day. Sunday opening is limited outside the main tourist zones.
The Passeig de Gracia is the upmarket strip, lined with designer boutiques and flagship stores. The Rambla de Catalunya and Avinguda Diagonal offer more of the same. El Corte Ingles on Placa de Catalunya is the city's department store behemoth.
For something more interesting, explore the Born neighbourhood for independent boutiques, vintage shops and design studios. The Barri Gotic has streetwear, antiques and quirky secondhand shops. Boulevard Rosa is a popular indoor gallery with over 100 small stores.
The markets are unmissable. La Boqueria on the Ramblas is one of Europe's great food markets, best visited early in the morning before the tourist crowds arrive. Els Encants, near Placa de les Glories, is a huge open-air flea market that has been running since the 14th century. Maremagnum at the harbour is a modern mall open seven days a week.