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Els Encants Vells
Barcelona's most authentic flea market is 'The Old Charms', where bargain-hunters riffle through everything from battered old shoes and bric-a-brac to antique furniture and new clothes. A lot of it is junk, but it depends on what's fallen off the back of the trucks the day you turn up. Go in the morning for the best choice.
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Escribà
Chocolates, dainty pastries and mouthwatering cakes can all be lapped up behind the attractive Modernista mosaic façade here. This Barcelona favourite is owned by the Escribà family, a name synonymous with sinfully good sweet things.
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Etnomusic
From flamenco to samba and whatever jiggles in between, this is your best bet for music from around the globe.
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Farrutx
Mallorca's Farrutx is one of the country's top shoemakers. They have been expertly dressing the heels of Barcelona's uptown women for decades, do a nice line in luxury sport shoes and top it off with bags and other leather accessories.
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FC Botiga
Need a Ronaldinho football jersey, a blue and burgundy ball, or any other soccer paraphernalia pertaining to what many locals consider the greatest team in the world? This is a convenient spot to load up without traipsing to the stadium.
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Floristería Navarro
Just met the love of your life? At ? Never fear, say it with flowers. This barn-like florist's has flowers and plants for every conceivable situation. And they never close.
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FNAC
This popular megastore - part of the French-owned chain - specialises in CDs, tapes, videos, books and video games. There's a useful ticket desk on the ground floor, which has lists of upcoming events and sells tickets. The main branch is in El Triangle mall.
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Ganiveteria Roca
If it needs to be cut, clipped, snipped, trimmed, shorn, shaved or cropped, you'll find the perfect instrument at this classic gentlemen's shop, going strong since 1911. You'll also find wine and other kitchen accessories here.
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Gemma Povo
Several streets in the heart of old Barcelona bustle with decades of collected furniture, gewgaws and other odd sights. Rummagers should head for Carrer de la Palla (B2) and Carrer dels Banys Nous (B3) for starters. In the latter is this interesting stop, where you'll find items in the house speciality: wrought iron.
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Herboristeria del Rei
This soothing shop is framed by a grand balcony and lined with the tiny drawers of herbal specimens that have kept it in business since 1823. The shop took the name when it became court herbalist to Queen Isabel II.
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Joan Murrià
Classic inside and out, this superb traditional-style grocer-delicatessen has been run by the same family since the early 1900s and continues to showcase the culinary wonders of Catalonia, Spain and beyond. Inspect the eye-catching façade featuring original designs by celebrated Modernista painter Ramon Casas.
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Joaquin Berao
For something special, head to this elegant store showcasing the exquisite avant-garde creations of one of Spain's most prestigious jewellery designers. He works predominantly in silver and gold, and with new and entirely original concepts each season.
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Joguines Foyè
The best toy shop in the old quarter stocks lots of traditional playthings, such as tin toys, creepy porcelain dolls and music boxes as well as a range of modern gizmos.
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Josep Font
One of the leading women's fashion designers in Barcelona (with branches in Paris, Madrid and Bilbao), Font presents a line of daringly sleek and sexy items in no-nonsense colours. Peer inside for the minimalist décor alone.
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L'Illa del Diagonal
This shopping centre (M0091, C4) in the heart of the business district caters to uptowners and houses swanky designer stores and all the usual chains. In its heyday it was acclaimed for its architectural style.
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La Botifarreria
As they say, 'sausages with imagination'! Although this delightful deli sells all sorts of cheeses, hams, fresh hamburger patties, snacks and other goodies, the mainstay is an astounding variety of handcrafted sausages. Not just the pork variety, but those stuffed with anything from orange and onion to apple curry!
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La Galería de Santa María Novella
Anyone who has visited Florence may have encountered the wonderful medieval pharmacy, the Officina Profuma-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Known for its all-natural perfumes, lotions and herbal remedies, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. How about a bottle of 'aromatic vinegar of the seven thieves'?
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La Portorriqueña
Forget Starbucks, this is coffee. Beans from around the world are freshly ground before your eyes in the combination of your choice. They've been in the coffee business here since 1902. They also purvey all sorts of chocolate goodies.
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Laie
A leisure complex for the mind, this bookshop combines a broad range of books with a splendid café (; - Mon, to Tue-Sat), an international outlook and accommodating staff.
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Le Boudoir
It's not just about stylish, matt-black vibrators and penis rings. In this sensually sexy shop you'll find anything from fluffy handcuffs to night masks, incense to whips and candy bras to books on the arts of love and seduction.
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Loewe
International art critic Robert Hughes, in Barcelona, urges anyone with an interest in architecture not to patronise Loewe because of the vandalism it inflicted on this Domènech i Montaner Modernista building. If you're prepared to forgive the company - and it has tried to atone for its sin by undoing some of the changes it originally wrought to the façade - Loewe is one of the smartest international names in luxurious leather products.
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Mango
Begun in Barcelona in the 1980s, Mango has gone massive around the world with its combination of sexy and sassy couture, reliable fabrics and department-store prices. Slightly younger and funkier than its main rival, Zara, Mango produces originals as well as pieces inspired by the big names.
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Marc 3
Step inside this cavern of posters, prints and original paintings. At the front end of the shop is a remarkably diverse range of items depicting the city you're in. A cut above the standard in kitsch, they can make fine gifts. Deeper inside is a host of other wall-decoration ideas, from Robert Doisneau to quality reproductions of classic ad posters.
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Mas Bacus
Bacus is the name and Bacchus is the game. This is one of several fine wine stores in this part of town. They can advise on your choice of local tipples and out the back they have a little gourmet tasting section with snacks to accompany the wine.
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Mercat de la Boqueria
One of Europe's best and most famous markets, this bustling produce hall is laden with atmosphere, colour and all the ingredients that make Spanish cuisine a favourite at the kitchen table.
