Bargain shops in Barcelona
The usual hustle and bustle shopping vibe in Barcelona over the past year or so has been none existent, or shall we say it's been trembling rather quietly! Until recently, when joyfully Covid-19 restrictions have lifted and shoppers hit Barcelona high-street with intention. Coming through, coming through people socialising, shopping and bargain shopping in Barcelona!
When the pandemic restrictions lifted, I found the initial shopping experience on the high-street super exciting, but, to be honest I could see some people found the crowds a bit overwhelming. There was so many of us shopping, with the same rightful sense of freedom, that after the initial jollity passed, I couldn't help but notice, that not all of the shoppers in Barcelona appeared to be smiling underneath their face masks!
Throughout the pandemic shoppers have been shopping online, alone behind a laptop, so anyone who felt overwhelmed for the first time shopping on the high-street in Barcelona this is no big surprise!
Shopping in Barcelona
Residents and tourists shopping in Barcelona are no longer required to wear a face-mask outside, although face-masks are still mandatory inside shops in Barcelona and on public transport. Looking around, I would hazard a guess that 20-25% of people shopping have decided to carry on wearing a face mask outside, such as vulnerable people, younger people who haven't been vaccinated yet and people who do not want to get vaccinated.
Images of shopping practices in Barcelona 2021
You can expect to be offered hand gel, some small shops offer customers a waiting bench outside the shop and you may see subtle 2-metre distance sticker on the shop floor.
Bargain shops in Barcelona
There are hundreds of bargain shops in Barcelona, including Ale-hop, Tiger, Aldi, Primark and Oriental Bazars on many street corners (the list goes on). So, let's bring our intention to specialist bargain shops in Barcelona.
Please come in, you are welcome.
1. Fortune Cat
As we globally and collectively get vaccinated, I thought I'd start with this bargain shop in Barcelona called Fortune Cat. Fortune Cat specialises in Japanese Maneki-Neko Fortune Cats and Daruma Dolls. According to Japanese tradition, the message transmitted by the cat with its paw is: 'Please come in, you are welcome'. Fortune Cats carry an ancient Japanese coin in the right-hand called 'Koban', which is a symbol of fortune, and these particular Fortune Cats are made of plastic in a variety of bright colours. All of which, have a powerful meaning; love, peace, self-confidence, success in business, purity, health etc.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Fortune Cat price range 19.95 euros.
Nearest Metro: Jaume.
2. Subira Cereria
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Subira Cereria. Subira Cereria is the oldest existing candle shop in Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter, founded by candle maker Jacinto Gali in 1761. This shop specialises in making candles in all shapes, colours, scents and sizes, so if the smell of the shop doesn't draw you in, the interior design with its traditional staircase leading to a perfectly scented heaven will, well not really, but definitely stairs leading up to a storage level of sorts. If you enjoy shopping in listed heritage buildings with charm and character such as, Liberty London and Selfridges for example, shop at the oldest candle shop in Barcelona.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Subira Cereria price range 8.00 euros upwards. Nearest Metro is Jaume.
3. INCAS
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called INCAS Artesano BCN. INCAS specialises in authentic quality indigenous American goods through creative products designed by different indigenous communities of America. It's a family run business founded 40-years ago by the Kichwa origin of the Inca culture, it sells authentic Inca jewellery, Inca weaved bucket bags (which continue to inspire high-end boutique designers world-wide), beads and lacing sold by the metre, so you can personalise your own jewellery.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at INCAS price range 2.00 euros upwards.
Nearest Metro is Jaume (behind the Calle de Jaume station exit/entrance).
4. Art Escudellers
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Art Escudellers. Art Escudellers is an authentic art and crafts shop selling traditional Spanish and Catalonian products made from different brightly coloured ceramics, tiles, hand-made glass, wood and hand-painted plates. If you are looking for something arty or unusual for your home or a gift from your travels this bargain shop is a good starting point.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Art Escudellers price range 5.00 euros upwards. Nearest Metro is Jaume.
5. Duck Store Barcelona
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Duck Store Barcelona. Duck Store Barcelona is a brightly lite shop much like a chemist, which fits nicely as the original rubber duck was invented by American Chemist Charles Goodyear (later of Goodyear Tyre frame) in the 1800s. Each vulcanised rubber duck is different so there is something for everyone. The concept is simple and the products are timeless and affordable.
Discover more about Bargain shopping in Barcelona at Duck Store Barcelona price 10.00 euros.
Nearest Metro: Jaume.
6. Re-read
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Re-read. Re-Read is a small chain of super cool eco-friendly bargain book shops located in different districts in Barcelona, Catalonia. You can also find these second-hand bargain book shops in Madrid, Valencia, Tarragona, Granada, Girona, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Reus, Elche etc. Each bargain shop in Barcelona slightly differs in appearance.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Re-Read,
Price range; One book = 3.00 euros, two books = 5.00 euros and five books = 10.00 euros.
Nearest Metro: There are multiple Re-Read bargain shops.
7. Revestir
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Revestir, Revestir specialises in vintage and second-hand clothing. Vintage clothing (twenty-five years from todays date) is not Barcelona's forte, although in the last three-months more of these bargain shops have popped up across Barcelona. This bargain shop in Barcelona offers vintage world-wide brands in good retail condition so check it out and mix it up with other high-street brands.
I recently bought this vintage San Fransisco Gap denim jacket below from here for 30.00 euros.
Revestir is a brand new vintage shop in Barcelona, with no website! Prices range 10.00 euros upwards. Nearest Metro: Jaume (Ciutat Vella).
8. Norma Comics
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Norma Comics. Norma Comics is a graphic design, film makers and animation lovers paradise with comics, books and comic paraphernalia covering all genres, characters and artists. This shop always has a super-cool window display and an upper level with cinefiles, so whether you are a big fan of Star Wars, Godzilla or Kick-Ass, Norma Comics have got you covered. If you are shopping for Manga, American and European comics then be prepared to meet with like-minded people, who don't mind queuing outside this shop in Barcelona.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Norma Comics price range 6.00 euros upwards and read more about other comic shops in Barcelona.
9. La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria Mercat is the oldest, most famous and most popular, social and gastronomical market in Barcelona. If you are shopping for bargain shops in Barcelona, La Boqueria Mercat offers a wide selection of luxury and quality bargain specialist foods, such as freshly made smoothies, freshly cut ready-to-eat fruit snacks, Iberian corn-fed meats or variations of fish in small cones, amazing hand-picked chocolate covered fruit and nuts and the widest selection of quality pick-n-mix sweet treats! If you are shopping around for a gastronomical, social experience you will find some of Barcelona's oldest bargain shops under one roof at La Boqueria Mercat.
10. Santa Siesta
This bargain shop in Barcelona is called Santa Siesta. Santa Siesta sells quality bargain Mediterranean home furnishings, bargain soft furnishings, large practical straw beach bags with nice quality wide leather straps, beach throws, interior throws and a small offering of ceramics and fashion accessories.
Discover more about bargain shopping in Barcelona at Santa Siesta price range 10.00 euros upwards. This is a small shop that closes during siesta, which nicely works with the name of the shop!
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