Just for Mum Shopping - Barcelona
-
El Born/San Pere
Now fully regenerated, El Born, (or La Ribera) is Barcelona´s trendiest area for independent fashion, design, galleries, cool bars and eateries, most of which are centered in and around Passeig del Born, a tree-lined boulevard running down from the Santa Maria church to the old Mercat del Born.
-
Gracia
Gracia, once a village in the north of the city, reached by the Passeig de Gracia, is now a lively city suburb, that retains its neighbourhood charm. It is a great place to escape from the tourists and enjoy its many sun filled plazas, local restaurants, bustling cafes and boutiques.
-
Barrio Gótico
The Barrio Gótico is at the very heart of the old town, a perfect place to wonder and get lost around its narrow medeival streets which hide numerous plazas. Along Banys Nous and Avinyó towards the sea front are a plethora of antique and coffee shops. It is also where you'll find a real mix of small independent boutiques as well as some more commercial designer shops. Interestingly, this area was once quite like the Pigalle district of Paris as it was the main connecting street between the port and the city centre, filled with brothels to attract the sailors.
-
El Raval
El Raval, an Arabic word which refers to the suburbs outside the walls of the old city, was once a seedy red light district and home to bohemians, prostitutes and seedy characters. Today it houses an equally ecclectic mix of people and cultures, as well as colourful locals, all of which keep the Raval a decidedly edgy neighbourhood. It is also where you'll find a lot of the city's coolest bars and restaurants. Retail wise it has a great selection of vintage clothing shops, new designer boutiques and concept stores. It is also home to many open art studios and galleries.
-
Eixample
Eixample - meaning 'the extention' of the city - began to be built in 1851, in order to extend the city beyond its walls as it was becoming overcrowded and unsanitary. The grid like areas provided the city with more spacious and light buildings and it soon became the most fashionable district to live in and is today Barcelona's main shopping district. Its international stores range from high street to designer.
-
Zona Alta
The 'Zona Alta' is the affluent neighbourhood situated above Gracia that leads up into the hills. It makes great shopping grounds, where you will be pleased to find patient and friendly shop assistants, in some truly lovely boutiques.
-
Poble Nou & Diagonal Mar
Poble Nou, meaning "New Village", remains a residential neighbourhood, where you'll find a very local Rambla with local shops as well as some of the city's quieter and cleaner beaches. Leading on from here and at the end of Avenida Diagonal lies the redeveloped area of the city, Diagonal Mar, where you'll find Catalunya's largest shopping centre, residential developments, five star hotels as well as a 35 acre public park with biking and walking trails as well as three lakes!