EXPLORING BARCELONA
Barcelona is a city of contrasts — historic hills, lively beaches, world‑class events and elegant shopping boulevards. Here’s how to explore it all.
🏘️ Neighborhoods to Explore
- Gothic Quarter: Medieval alleys, tapas bars, and hidden plazas.
- El Born: Art galleries, boutiques, and the Picasso Museum.
- Gràcia: Bohemian charm and local hangouts.
- Eixample: Modernist architecture and upscale shopping.
🏖️ Beaches & Waterfront
- Barceloneta: Lively and central — great for first-time visitors.
- Bogatell & Mar Bella: Quieter, cleaner, and loved by locals.
⛰️ MONTJUÏCH
Montjuïc or Montjuich, meaning "Jewish Mountain" in medieval Latin and Catalan, is a broad, shallow hill in Barcelona with a rich history.
Montjuïch is one of Barcelona’s most iconic hills — a beautiful blend of nature, museums, gardens, and breathtaking viewpoints. Rising softly above the city and the Mediterranean Sea, it has been a stage for world expositions, Olympic events, and centuries of Catalan history.
🏰 Montjuïch Castle
On the hilltop stands the historic Montjuïch Castle, a 17th-century fortress offering a full 360° panorama of Barcelona — city, port, mountains, and sea.
🌿 Gardens & Green Corners
Montjuïch is also known for its peaceful gardens, such as the Jardins de Miramar and other smaller parks scattered across its slopes — ideal for relaxed walks and photography.
🍷 Terraza Miramar
Located near the Miramar Gardens, this terrace combines sea views, skyline views, and a peaceful garden atmosphere. A perfect spot for a drink, tapas, or a sunset moment.
🗺️ Suggested Mini-Itinerary
- Start at 🔗 Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) and enjoy the viewpoint over Plaça d’Espanya.
- Walk through Montjuïc’s gardens and enjoy the greenery.
- Take the funicular or cable car up to Montjuïch Castle.
- Finish with a drink or dinner at Terraza Miramar 🍷.
- If timing works: catch a 🔗 Barcelona’s Magic Fountain show at night.
🎭 Palau Sant Jordi: Barcelona’s Arena for Music, Sport & More
Palau Sant Jordi is a covered, multi-purpose arena located on Montjuïch — part of the city’s “Olympic Ring” built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, the venue opened in 1990 and quickly became one of Barcelona’s most iconic modern landmarks.
Since its opening, Palau Sant Jordi is able to host over 18000 people, and it has welcomed thousands of events — from international sports competitions (like indoor athletics, handball, basketball, padel, and many others) to world-class concerts, operas, family shows, fairs, conferences, and cultural events.
🛍️ SHOPPING IN BARCELONA
Barcelona is a dream destination for shoppers — from luxury fashion to local favorites, all in safe and stylish neighborhoods. Here are some of the best places to explore.
EL CORTE INGLÉS
El Corte Inglés is Spain’s most iconic department store, offering a premium shopping experience under one roof. From fashion and beauty to electronics, gourmet food, and home goods, it’s a trusted destination for locals and visitors alike.
The Diagonal location in Barcelona is especially popular for its elegant layout, wide selection, and relaxed atmosphere — perfect for a stylish and stress-free shopping day.
A quieter and more elegant branch of Spain’s iconic department store. Located on Avinguda Diagonal, it offers fashion, cosmetics, gourmet food, and home goods. I love their cafeteria, as for lunch you can have a 'milanesa' breadcrumb beef, or for after lunch you can have a bikini (cheese and ham toastie).
There is also a Corte Inglés in City Centre in Plaça de Catalunya, although Diagonal's store has better stock. The difference about the one in City Centre is that you can go to the cafeteria and enjoy views from the top, although the food is now a buffet and I wouldn't recommend eating there. If you are undecided, bus number 59 takes you to both, so you can always try for yourself.
🔗 Visit El Corte Inglés Diagonal
L'ILLA - DIAGONAL
A modern shopping mall with over 170 stores including Mango, FNAC, Decathlon, and more. Great for fashion, tech, and dining.
📚 Fnac is a popular French retail chain with a strong presence in Barcelona, especially at L'Illa Diagonal. It’s a go-to spot for books, music, electronics, games, and cultural gadgets. Whether you're looking for the latest tech or a Spanish-language bestseller, Fnac offers a modern, well-organised space where browsing feels effortless.
🔗 Visit L'Illa
LA RAMBLA DE CATALUNYA
A charming pedestrian street with boutiques, shoe stores, and cafés. Less crowded than Las Ramblas and ideal for relaxed shopping.
PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA
Home to Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Prada, this avenue is perfect for high-end fashion in a stunning architectural setting. You can also stop for food or drinks in 🔗 Visit El Nacional in Passeig de Gràcia, 24.
DIAGONAL STREET
Avinguda Diagonal is one of Barcelona’s most stylish and spacious shopping avenues. Along this elegant boulevard, you’ll find a mix of high-street fashion, department stores, and upscale boutiques — including El Corte Inglés Diagonal, La Illa Diagonal shopping mall, Pedralbes Centre, Massimo Dutti, Uniqlo, and Zara. With wide sidewalks, modern architecture, and a more relaxed pace than the city centre, Diagonal offers a refined shopping experience in a safe and sophisticated setting. You can walk from El Corte Inglés Diagonal all the way to Passeig de Gràcia shopping area, or take bus 59 and enjoy the view.
MAREMÀGNUM
Maremàgnum is a modern shopping and leisure complex located right on the waterfront, where the city meets the sea. Open every day of the year, it offers a mix of international brands, restaurants with panoramic views, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Whether you’re browsing for fashion, enjoying tapas by the marina, or simply taking in the view of Port Vell, Maremàgnum is the perfect spot to unwind after exploring the Gothic Quarter or La Rambla.
ZARA (several locations worldwide)
Zara is one of the world’s most recognized fashion retailers, known for its fast-moving collections and stylish yet affordable designs.
With hundreds of stores across the globe, you’ll find Zara in most major cities.
If you are in Barcelona, though, it’s worth visiting the flagship store on Passeig de Gràcia.
Set along the city’s most elegant boulevard, this location is surrounded by Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and luxury boutiques, making it a shopping experience that blends fashion with culture.
🔗 Visit Zara Passeig de Gràcia
Shopping Hours in Barcelona
Most shops in Barcelona open from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Saturday. Large department stores and shopping malls often stay open until 9:30 pm. Smaller boutiques may close for a lunch break (around 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm), especially outside the city centre. On Sundays, only tourist‑oriented shops and malls like Maremàgnum are open.
Supermarkets in Barcelona
Barcelona offers a wide range of supermarkets, from local Catalan chains to international discounters. They’re ideal for picking up essentials, fresh produce, or even gourmet items if you prefer self‑catering.
- Caprabo – A Catalan supermarket chain with a strong local identity. Known for fresh produce, Catalan wines, and regional specialties.
- Mercadona – Spain’s most popular supermarket, famous for affordable prices and its own non‑branded products under the “Hacendado” label.
- Carrefour – A French hypermarket chain with large stores offering groceries, electronics, clothing, and household goods. Great for one‑stop shopping.
- Hipercor – Linked to El Corte Inglés, Hipercor offers convenience shopping with a mix of groceries, household items, and branded products.
- Lidl & Aldi – German discount chains with competitive prices, weekly special offers, and a mix of Spanish and international products.
- El Corte Inglés Supermercado – Found inside the department store, offering gourmet items, international brands, and delicatessen products.
Most supermarkets open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Some branches may close earlier on Saturdays and remain closed on Sundays, though larger chains like Carrefour often have extended hours.
💡Insider Tips
Best times to visit popular spots: early mornings or weekdays.
Pickpocket awareness — stay alert at all times.
Basic Catalan phrases: “Bon dia” (Good morning), “Gràcies” (Thank you), "Bon profit" (Enjoy your meal).
Tipping isn’t expected, but rounding up is appreciated.