SHOPPING IN BARCELONA
Barcelona has a wide and varied range of shops for all tastes and budgets. Known for its excellent personal customer service, the city has become a magnet for shoppers and traders alike making it a very attractive place to shop. The Rambla, the Ribera, Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal and the numerous shopping centers scattered round the city and its suburban areas attract a large part of the shoppers. But throughout the city one finds many lesser known shopping streets and neighborhood shops, besides the city markets and street fairs, where one can buy all sorts of items at a fair price.
Shopping hours
Shops in Barcelona open their doors between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning, and generally close for lunch at 1:30 or 2:00. They open again in the afternoon between 4:00 and 5:00 and remain open until 8:00 or 8:30 in the evening. Nevertheless, it should be noted that many shopping centers and larger establishments do not close at midday. Many shops and all department stores and shopping centers open Saturday afternoons, while all shops close Sundays, except for a few dates when they are permitted to open.
How to pay
Most people pay in cash or with a credit card. You must show your passport or identity card.
Tax Free
Residents from outside the European Union may have their Value Added Tax (VAT) returned for purchases of more than €90.15.
Sales
Most stores hold sales from the second week of January till the end of February, and also in July and August although some stores make special discounts before these dates.
TOMBUS
Description:
This bus (literally, "round trip bus") goes along the major shopping streets between Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Pius XII.
Route:
Outward: Plaça Catalunya (outside El Corte Inglés) - Passeig de Gràcia - Diagonal - Plaça Pius XII.
Return: Plaça Pius XII - Diagonal - Passeig de Gràcia - Plaça Catalunya.
Bus times:
First bus:
from Pl. Pius XII: Mon-Fri, 7.30 a.m.; Sat, 9.30 a.m.
from Pl. Catalunya: Mon-Fri, 7.00 a.m.; Sat, 9.10 a.m.
Last bus:
from Pl. Pius XII: Mon-Fri, 9.58 p.m.; Sat, 9.45 p.m
from Pl. Catalunya: Mon-Fri, 9.38 p.m; Sat, 9.20 p.m
Frequency:
from 7 a.m. to 2.11 p.m., every 6 minutes
from 2.11 p.m. to 4.21 p.m., every 7/8 minutes
from 4.21 p.m. to 9.58 p.m., every 6 minutes
Fare:
Regular ticket: €1.50 (sold on the bus)
Tourist ticket: €1.10 (sold on the bus to holders of Barcelona Card)
T-7 Card: €9,80 (7 trips, sold on the bus and at ServiCaixa)
T-Shopping Tourist Card: €4.65 (good for one day of unlimited travel, sold on the bus to holders of Barcelona Card)
Observations:
The buses are all air-conditioned, play background music and have space for packages.
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