In Barcelona you can spend a whole day on Portal de l'Àngel and see nothing but chain stores. This is a selection from my list of saved places: vintage, local labels, a bookshop, design and one of Europe's oldest flea markets. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews.
There are hardly any prices here, as Google doesn't list them for shops. Details valid as of 30 September 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.13.
In short
- Best vintage: Mahalo Vintage Comtal, the biggest selection from the 70s to Y2K, and La Principal retro&co with its own Barcelona '92 line.
- One street, two shops: Carrer del Duc, where SSSTUFFF and TheRoom are next door to each other.
- A gift that isn't a souvenir: Nook in Gràcia.
- Flea market: Mercat dels Encants by Plaça de les Glòries, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
- Open on Sunday: Mahalo and La Principal.
Vintage and clothes
Mahalo Vintage Comtal
Barri Gòtic · vintage · Mon–Fri 11:00–20:30, Sat 11:00–21:00, Sun 12:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer Comtal, 13
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 380+): much bigger inside than it looks from the street, and often called the best vintage shop in the city. Clothes from the 70s to Y2K with a sporty lean: Hawaiian shirts, denim, basketball jerseys, windbreakers and piles of T-shirts, plus old sweaters they rework into crop tops themselves. Prices are higher than a regular thrift shop. Some reviewers complain about unfriendly staff, and one says the Barça shirt they bought was fake.
La Principal retro&co
El Raval · vintage · Mon–Sat 12:00–15:00 and 16:00–20:00, Sun 12:00–19:30
Google Maps · website · Carrer d'Elisabets, 3
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 120+): a compact shop with vintage from the 70s, 80s and 90s: clothes, streetwear and accessories in good condition. Reviewers single out its own line inspired by the Barcelona '92 Olympics, a souvenir that doesn't look like one. The owner is helpful and knows his stock.
SSSTUFFF
Barri Gòtic · local clothing label · Mon–Thu 11:00–20:30, Fri–Sat 11:00–21:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer del Duc, 7
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 180+): the shop of a local label with playful, slightly wacky Y2K-inspired clothes. Scented T-shirts, UV-reactive prints, unusual caps and belts, and a shop front you can't walk past. The staff love explaining the brand and will give you a mini tour.
TheRoom
Barri Gòtic · concept store · Mon–Sat 10:30–21:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer del Duc, 5
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 160+): a three-floor concept store next to SSSTUFFF, somewhere between high fashion and streetwear, with a focus on Japanese and Asian designers (Nanamica, Wacko Maria, Neighborhood, Snow Peak and more). There's a hair salon inside, and it gets praise too. The weak spot is returns: several shoppers say they never got their money back.
Shon Mott Barcelona
Eixample · minimalist clothing · Mon–Sat 10:30–20:30, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Pau Claris, 157
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 40+): a family label of minimalist wardrobe basics in cotton, linen and cashmere that work for different occasions. The attentive saleswomen get a lot of praise. There are complaints too: pricey for the quality, sometimes cold staff, and returns only as store credit, not cash.
sivasdescalzo
Eixample · sneakers and streetwear · Mon–Sat 11:00–15:00 and 16:00–20:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Bailèn, 18
According to Google Maps reviews (4.1 from 1,100+): a well-known Spanish sneaker shop with special and rare editions from classic brands, plus streetwear and accessories. Shoppers find rare Nikes here and like the international shipping. Service reviews are mixed: some love the staff, others mention inattentive service, sizing confusion in the online store and long disputes with support.
JBP - Bàsics i Servei Estampació
Gràcia · basic tees and printing · Mon–Fri 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:30, Sat 10:00–20:30, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 15
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 60+): a family business that made the city's famous striped T-shirts for 40 years and now sells simple cotton basics. They also print on T-shirts and bags, quickly (sometimes within a day) and cheaply; local companies order their merch here.
Books, design and more
Casa Usher Llibreters
Sant Gervasi · bookshop · Mon–Fri 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00, Sat 10:00–14:00, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Santaló, 79
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 170+): a small neighbourhood bookshop whose owner knows Catalan writers inside out and will help you find a book. There's a corner to sit and read, and it hosts art exhibitions.
Nook - The Concept Store
Gràcia · concept store and gifts · Mon 16:00–20:30, Tue–Sat 11:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:30, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Plaça Revolució de Setembre 1868, 3
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 110+): a tiny concept store on one of Gràcia's main squares: ceramics, lamps, candles, jewellery, cards and bags, many by independent female and queer artists. The owners welcome you with homemade herbal tea, and the shop hosts events for the LGBTQ+ community and the neighbourhood. A good place for a present you won't find in a souvenir shop.
RS Barcelona
Gràcia · design furniture and game tables · Mon–Sat 10:30–20:30, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Carrer de Còrsega, 365
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 140+): a Barcelona brand known for its designer ping-pong and foosball tables; the shop also has furniture, homeware and gifts. As a showroom it's praised as one of the most original design shops in town. But people who bought the tables have serious complaints about quality (a 4,000 € foosball table) and about delivery and assembly.
Mercat dels Encants
Glòries · flea market · Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · Carrer de los Castillejos, 158
According to Google Maps reviews (4.2 from 4,000+): one of Europe's oldest flea markets, under a huge mirrored roof by Plaça de les Glòries. Downstairs is second-hand stuff (clothes, furniture, books, tableware) and morning street auctions; upstairs is mostly new goods. Reviews are split: bargain hunters love it (especially the jewellery section, cheaper than other flea markets), while those expecting pretty antiques are disappointed, since a lot is just laid out on the ground.
One last thing
Small shops in Barcelona keep Spanish hours: many close from 14:00 to 16:00–16:30, and almost nothing opens on Sunday. The best time to shop is a weekday afternoon; save Sunday for Mahalo and La Principal, and go to the Encants in the morning, when the street auctions are on.
More on Barcelona: markets and food shops, wine and beer shops, vintage shops.