Consistently ranked in the top 10 global fashion capitals in the world is Spain’s fashion capital, Barcelona. So it’s no wonder that this beautiful city is home to many amazing shopping centres. There are two particular shopping centres stand out, Diagonal Mar, to the northeast of the city, and Las Arenas del Barcelona, near Placa d’Espanya. Both offer different experiences depending on what you’re looking for.
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Diagonal Mar
Photo credit: Oh-Barcelona.com via Visual Hunt / CC BY
This mall is located in the district of Sant Martin, having opened in 2001. The modern-styled building houses 240 stores on 3 levels. the mall’s anchor stores are Alcampo, Zara, H&M, Fnac, Media Markt and the cinema. With an ample parking garage of 5000 car parking spaces and located right off Av. Diagonal, the centre is extremely accessible by car. The metro, tram and city bus also make stops at this centre, ensuring that wherever you are in Barcelona, Diagonal Mar is never too far away for a day’s shopping.
Not sure what to wear? In Diagonal Mar, they offer personal shoppers for a fee of €30 per hour, not including VAT. However, due to popularity, the personal shopper should be booked as well in advance as possible.
Eating in Diagonal Mar is made easy as there is such a variety on offer. There are 22 different restaurants, 12 cafes and 7 fast food restaurants.
Diagonal Mar offers extensive children’s services throughout the centre including Lego Fun Factory. The space is put together so well that it will be a challenge not to find yourself in there taking up the children’s space and creating your own Lego pieces!
The shopping centre is open on Mondays through Saturdays from 10AM until 10PM.
Las Arenas Mall
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Las Arenas is smaller than Diagonal Mar but that doesn’t mean it’s not got its own benefits, starting with 116 stores in house. The building was originally constructed in 1900, serving as a bull ring for Barcelona until 1977. It was restored and opened as a shopping centre in 2011 and since then has been a major tourist destination. Las Arenas is located in a beautiful and economic part of the city, a short walk away from Placa Espanya, the National Art Museum of Catalunya, the Botanical Gardens and Sants train Station.
There are 6 floors of shopping and entertainment, with everything from home and fashion stores to a multiplex cinema. The top floor, or the dome, where the restaurants are located, offers an unrivalled view over Plaça Espanya and up toward the National Art Gallery. This is a must see attraction if you find yourself in the area and want to experience the city from another level.
Las Arenas is open on Mondays through Saturdays from 10AM until 10PM.
So if shopping is your main focus, then Diagonal Mar is sure not to disappoint with its vast variety of stores and services and is ease of accessibility. However, if sightseeing is your objective, maybe with a dash of shopping if you have the time, then Las Arenas is definitely your best decision.
Wherever you choose to go, you’re sure to enjoy your shopping experience in Barcelona, Spain’s shopping hub.
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