Shopping is one of Barcelona's greatest attractions, with a bountiful 5km (3-mile) shopping strip, all the way from the water's edge at Port Vell right up La Rambla to Diagonal. International chains, designer shops and modern department stores can be found in the area around Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gracia and along Avinguda Diagonal. The most famous shop in the city is the imposing El Corte Inglés, on Plaça de Catalunya - part of a national chain, generally considered to be Spain's leading department stores. La Rambla and the Barri Gòtic are popular places for tourists to hunt for souvenirs.

A visit to La Boqueria market, officially Mercat de Sant Josep, off Rambla Sant Josep, is an unmissable experience. The market is open Monday to Friday 0800-2030 and Saturday 0800-2000, for the sale of fresh fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products. Other food markets for keen shoppers to try are Concepció, Carrer Aragó, Ninot, Carrer Mallorca, and the Gastronomic Fair, which takes place in Plaça del Pi, on the first and third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. For antiques and curios, the Els Encants market is held on Plaça de les Glories, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 0900-1900. Another antiques market is held on Plaça Nova every Thursday (except in August). Representative gifts include Catalan black pottery, handwoven baskets or Barcelona lace.

In recent years, a number of urban-chic orientated fashion stores have opened in the city centre. For the ultimate in local style, head to Barcelona's top fashion designer Antonio Miró, Carrer Consell de Cent 349-351, or Jean Pierre Bua, Avinguda Diagonal 469, which stocks such trendy designer names such as Gaultier and Miyake. Of the city's many contemporary design stores, BD Ediciones de Diseno, Carrer Mallorca 291, continues to set the trends.

Shops open at 0900 or 1000 and close again for an extended lunch, between 1330 and 1600 or 1700. In the evening, shops shut at 2000 or 2030. Large department stores do not generally close for lunch. All shops are open on Saturday afternoons but are closed all day on Sunday. IVA (value added tax) of 16% is charged on most goods and services in Spain. Upon departure, visitors from outside the EU, who have been in the EU for less than 180 days, can get a VAT (IVA) refund from the airport, on goods worth €90 or more. Tax return forms are available from shops on request. IVA on services is not refundable. For more information visit www.globalrefund.com.