Barcelona has an original style all its own. Most of Europe’s major design trends made their way here, were influenced by Catalonian sensibilities, and emerged distinctively different. Which makes shopping for antiques in Barcelona especially enjoyable. The treasures you find here will be truly unique.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find an example of Barcelona’s fabulous version of Art Nouveau, known here as Modernisme.
Barcelona’s antique shops are grouped together on several streets, most of which are in the charming Gothic Quarter or Bari Gotic. You’ll find everything from antique dealers selling museum-quality furniture to vintage clothing stores.
Carrer del Banys Nous is the traditional home of Barcelona’s antique shops, although lately, some hip clothing boutiques have been creeping in. You’ll find teacups, tapestries, and vintage fashions at Heritage. And L’Arca de L’Avia sell antique textiles, lace, and linens.
Not far away, Carrer de la Palla also has several antique stores including Artur Ramon Art which specializes in 18th and 19th-century art and objets d’arts. Angel Batlle at number 23 has old posters, maps, and postcards.
In the Eixample district, at Passeig de Gracia 55 (in the Bulevard Rosa shopping center), the Bulevard des Antiquarius has more than 70 antique shops selling furniture, jewelry, paintings, crystal, and dolls. Prices here are firm and most purchases come with a written guarantee.
In addition to its antique shops, Barcelona has several markets that sell antiques of varying quality.
If you’re willing to sift through some junk, El Encants, Barcelona’s biggest flea market, has a little bit of everything. It’s on the north side of the traffic circle at Placa de les Glories Catalanes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Coin and stamp collectors should go to the Sunday-morning market in Placa Reial. And book collectors will enjoy the Sunday market at Sant Antoni.
The Mercat Gòtic de Antiguitats takes place every Thursday in the Placa Nova, the square next to the Cathedral. Prices here are higher because of the number of tourists, so do a little bargaining.
At the end of Las Ramblas near the port, the Fira Brocante Antique and Flea Market is held on Saturdays and Sundays. Look for the statue of Christopher Columbus. We found a great cast-iron dog there that we use as a door stop. Since it was the first day of our trip, we lugged it all over Spain and Portugal, but it’s now a family treasure. You should not pay full price here.
If you’re visiting Barcelona, be sure to leave yourself enough time to do some treasure hunting in the city’s charming antique shops.