Shopping is one of Barcelona's greatest attractions with a bountiful five kilometre shopping strip, all the way from the water's edge at Port Vell, right up La Rambla, to Diagnol. International chains, designer shops and modern department stores can be found in the area around Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gracia and along the Diagonal. The most famous shop in the city is the imposing El Corte Inglés on Plaça de Catalunya - Barcelona's answer to Harrods, though without the class as it is part of a national chain. La Rambla and the Barri Gòtic are the places to look for souvenirs.

A visit to La Boqueria market (officially Mercat de Sant Josep) off Rambla Sant Josep is an unmissable experience. The market is open Monday to Saturday 0900-2100 for the sale of fresh fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products. Other food markets to try are Concepció on Carrer Aragó, Ninot on Carrer Mallorca and the Gastronomic Fair, which takes place in Plaça del Pi on the first and third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. For antiques and curios, the El Encant market is held on Plaça de les Glories every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Another antiques market is held on Plaça Nova every Thursday (except August). Representative gifts include Catalan black pottery, handwoven baskets or Barcelona lace.

In recent years a number of urban chic orientated fashion stores have opened in the city centre. Camden Town, Calle Hospital 4, has all the latest fashion as well as some more esoteric PVC and 'erotic' creations. Jean Pierre Bua, Diagnol 469, is the more conventionally trendy home of designer names like Gaultier and Miyake. IVA (value added tax) of 7% is charged on all goods and services in Spain. Visitors from outside the EU who have been in the EU for less than 180 days can get a IVA refund on departure from the airport on goods worth Pta15 or more. Tax return forms are available from shops on request. IVA on services is not refundable.

Shops open at 0900 or 1000 and close again for an extended lunch between 1330 and 1600 or 1700. In the evening shops shut at 2000 or 2030. Large department stores do not generally close for lunch. All shops are open on Saturday afternoons but are closed all day on Sunday.