A lower cost of living and a strong pound mean that fashion is not expensive in Barcelona, and the best outlets and markets are all within a 5km stretch.
The Shopping Line, as it is known, comprises three districts. The Gothic is home to La Rambla, the city's most celebrated boulevard. But once you have seen enough castanets and Barcelona football shirts, a left or right turn will take you into the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter.
La Rambla leads to Plaça Cataluña and the elegant Eixample district (pronounced shampleh), where unique shops dwell in art nouveau buildings along the graceful Passeig de Gracia. When you reach Av Diagonal, you have entered the Modern district, where the biggest designer names have set up shop such as Gucci, (Diagonal 415), Adidas (Diagonal 435), Emporio Armani (Diagonal 490), Cacharel (Diagonal 594), Gianni Versace (Diagonal 606) and Yves Saint Laurent, (Diagonal 624).
Designer wear
Adolofo Dominguez
Passeig de Gracia 31
Tel: +34 93 487 41 70
Adolofo Dominguez's cool linen suits changed the way men dress here. He also makes womenswear, sportswear and, in this branch, golf wear.
Loewe
Passeig de Gracia 35
Tel: +34 93 216 04 00
Set in a Modernista building designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Loewe has been selling leather goods to the discerning shopper for more than 150 years.
Louis Vuitton
Pau Casals 9
Tel: +34 93 200 94 30
As Victoria Beckham knows, the LV monogram is still a sign of unabashed luxury.
Christian Dior Monsieur
Pau Casals 7
Tel: +34 93 201 68 80
For men whose need to look impeccable is paramount.
Designer bargains
Contribuciones
Riera Sant Miquel 30
Tel +34 93 218 74 36
Last season's clothes, but who cares when you can save 50%?
Stockland
C/Comtal 22
Tel: +34 93 318 03 31
Save up to 65% on end of lines by Joaquim Verdu, Roberto Verino and C'est Comme Ca.
Fashion chains
Lacoste
Rambla Catalunya 72
Eixample
Tel: +34 93 487 07 39
Although of French origin, the Lacoste collection sold here is unique to Spain.
Zara
Passeig de Gracia 16
Tel +34 93 318 76 75
Renowned for clever use of fabrics and modern designs.
Mango
Passeig de Gracia 65
Tel +34 93 215 75 30, mango.es or mangoshop.com.
Innovative, trendy clothes at fair prices. The fashion sold here is exclusive to Spain.
Shoes
La Manual Alpargatera
Carrer d'Avinyo, 7
Tel: +34 93 301 01 72
In Barcelona since 1910, espadrilles and sandals are the speciality. They have even shod the Pope.
Camper
Carrer de Pelai, 38
Tel: +34 93 302 4124, camper.es
The perfect stop-off for a sound pair of walking shoes, that will still look good when you get back home .
One-stop shopping
El Corte Ingles
Plaça Cataluña 14
Eixample
Tel: +34 93 302 12 12
Barcelona's foremost department store. Ten airy floors house everything from an impressive supermarket to a computer department, music hall and perfumery. All the Leading Spanish and international designer labels are here (menswear included) and women can buy tailor-made clothes.
Speciality shops
Sombreria Obach
Call 2
Tel: +34 93 318 40 94
Every kind of hat from Basque berets to bonnets.
La Pedrera Shop
Passeig de Gracia 92
Tel: +34 93 484 59 80
If you don't fancy the two-hour tour of Gaudí's 1910 tower block, the gift shop on the ground floor has T-shirts, coffee mugs, pens and Gaudí-inspired jewellery.
Piaget
Consell de Cent 351
Tel: +34 93 488 20 84
This Swiss company sells quality, crafted watches and jewellery.And Cartier is just a few steps away.
Sala d'Art Artur Ramón
Carrer de la Palla, 25
Tel: +34 93-302-59-70
Considered the city's best antique emporium. Romanesque to Picasso - at a price.
Food and drink
J Murria
C/Roger de Lluria 85
Tel: +34 93 215 57 89
Admire the original 1900s tiling by Ramon Casas, then join the locals in a dry manchego (cheese) with house bubbly - Cava Murria.
Pasteleria Escriba
Rambla de les Flors, 83
Tel: +34 93 301 60 27
The owner, Antoni Escriba, is multiple Champion Patisser of Barcelona. His speciality is "rambla", a biscuit, truffle and chocolate mix.
Cacao Sampaka
Consell de Cent 292
Tel: +34 93 272 08 33
Once you have tasted the anchovy, curry and blue cheese fillings, chocolate will never be the same again.
Herboristeria Del Rei
Carrer del Vidre 1
The Spanish use herbs for their medicinal properties as well as in cooking. Opened in 1823, this was Catalonia's first such shop and stocks more than 250 herbs. The owner speaks English.
The markets
Barri Gothic
Avda de la Catedral 6
Tel: +34 93 291 61 00
Thursday 10am-10pm, Jan-Nov
Watches, pipes, antiques: it's not cheap, but it's all in front of the magnificent cathedral.
Plaça Reial
Les Rambles
Sundays, 10am-2pm
Unmissable for coins and stamps.
Mercat de la BoquerÌa,
Rambla, 101 near carrer del Carme.
Tel: +34 93 318 25 84
Monday-Friday 7.30am-9pm
Barcelona's most impressive food market. The Catalans shop here for woodland mushrooms("bolets" in Catalan, and "Ssetas" in Spanish); find more than 30 varieties at stalls 869 and 870, where a mixed kilogram costs around Pta1,100pts.
Els Encants or Mercat de Bellcaire
C/Dos de Maig corner of C/Consellde Cent
Tel: +34 93 246 30 30
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9am-8pm, auctions 9am-5pm
The city's most authentic flea market. The antiques section is held at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes. But if you want a bargain, haggle hard.
Extra discounts
Buy the Barcelona Discount Card at the tourist office on Plaça Cataluña for free public transport and discounts in restaurants, museums and shops. Pta2,600 for one day (Pta2,100 under 12s), Pta3,100 for two (Pta2,600) and Pta3,600 for three (Pta3,100).
Getting there: Great Escapes (0800 7312929) offers two nights' B&B including flights from £259pp. easyJet (0870 600 0000, easyjet.com) flies from Luton and Liverpool from £65 return. Go (0870 6076543, go-fly.com) from Stansted, from £68, and British Airways (0845 7733377, britishairways.com) from Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham, from £193.40. The Aerobus from the airport to Plaça de Cataluña in the city centre runs every 15 minutes and takes about half an hour for around Pta500 (£2). A cab to the city centre costs Pta3,000 (£12).
Shopping hours: Shops open 9am-1.30pm, 4.30pm-8pm. Department stores stay open all day, but all shops are closed on Sunday.
