When rebajas season starts in Barcelona, it becomes impossible to resist the shopping frenzy. Stores put up huge signs promising discounts and are crowded with excited bargain seekers. Summer sales that start in July and last till the end of August draw a lot of tourists especially in the center – near Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gracia, the Barri Gotic, and around Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol. If you go on a weekday the shops will be emptier and the lines will be shorter.
Passeig de Gràcia is probably the most famous shopping street in Barcelona, lined with designer shops like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermes, and Chanel. Portal del Angel is a pedestrian street with more affordable brands such as H&M, Kiabi, Mango and, of course, Zara. Desigual is also really big in Barcelona. Clothes from famous Spanish brands - Zara and Mango - in Spain cost cheaper than in other countries. Las Arenas is the shopping mall with 116 shops, including Mango, Calvin Klein, Calzedonia, Claires. El Maremagnum mall is located at the end of Rambla. It is the only shopping centre in Barcelona open on Sundays.
Sales season in Barcelona concerns not only top mass-market brands. If you want to find something unique in this famous city, pay attention to small local brands. There are many young designers who have small prêt-à-porter stores in downtown Barcelona, especially in such areas as the Gòtic, the Raval and Gracia. Colmillo de Morsa is a Catalan brand with lots of handmade clothes. Pinza’t and Rebel Root are Barcelona's environment-friendly brands.
Winter sales start from January 7 and will last till the end of February. Shops are usually less crowded in the winter, but the bargains are no less attractive.
