Rent an apartment in Barcelona – and go shopping!

Whilst Barcelona is not on par with Paris and Milan when it comes to all the designer brands in one city – Barcelona offers those seeking a bargain or those wanting something eclectic plenty of choice!It is a natural magnet for the fashion-conscious and there is no shortage of design outlets for even the most tireless consumer. Everything from books to jewels, haute couture (local and international), designer furniture, cava and condoms is on offer. Several markets animate squares around the centre of town.

Most of the mainstream stores can be found on a shopping 'axis' that looks something like the hands of a clock set at a quarter to five. From the waterfront it leads up La Rambla through Placa de Catalunya and on up Passeig de Gracia.

Papu Travel offers apartments to rent in Passeig de Gracia.

The best shopping areas in central Barcelona are Passeig de Gracia and the streets to its southwest, including the Boulevard Rosa arcade just north of Carrer d'Arago, and Barri Gotic streets such as Carrer de la Portaferrissa, Carrer de la Boqueria, Carrer del Call, Carrer de la Llibreteria and Carrer de Ferran, and around Placa de Sant Josep Oriol.

Barcelona has great department stores who offer year round sale items as well as major sale periods in summer and winter (check their websites online for exact sale period information). The big department stores (such as El Corte Ingles) and shopping complexes (such as El Triangle) tend to open from 9am or 10am through to 9pm or 10pm at night, Monday to Saturday. Smaller shops often close for a few hours at lunchtime (around 2pm to 4pm).

Who needs an expensive hotel with small rooms when you and your friends can easily afford a comfortable and centrally located room in a guesthouse, hostel or even a 1 to 3 bedroom self-contained apartment. No need for internet cafes to stay in touch with the family at home – many of our apartments offer wireless broadband internet included in the overnight price.