Other Tips for Barcelona

The vintage shops around Sant Antoni market are incredible and locals still don't know about half of them. Carrer de Parlament has 4-5 vintage stores with 70s and 80s pieces for €30-100+. Way better than the overpriced 'vintage' in El Born that's just Zara from 5 years ago.

Sundays the whole area becomes a vintage market in the streets. You can find real 60s pieces, authentic band t-shirts, and vintage leather jackets for fraction of tourist area prices.

Tucked away on Carrer de Parlament, this independent bookshop feels like stumbling into someone's personal library. They specialize in contemporary fiction, poetry, and Spanish/Catalan literature with carefully curated selections rather than bestseller displays.

The owner gives genuine recommendations and hosts intimate author readings in the back room. They stock beautiful editions of books by Barcelona writers like Carlos Ruiz Zafón alongside international literature. Perfect for rainy afternoons when museums feel too crowded.

Open Tuesday-Saturday, with extended hours on Thursday evenings when they sometimes have wine and book presentations.

Was at the beach yesterday and the public showers at nova mar bella are typical barcelona beach style - cold water rinse only. Like most barcelona beach showers, bring your own soap and towel.

Changing rooms are available though. Better facilities than some other beaches but don't expect hot water anywhere along the coast. Metro L4 selva de mar then 10min walk

Carrer de montseny 17 in gràcia. New and secondhand english books, reading chairs, owner actually reads what she stocks. Miles better than tourist bookshops near las ramblas.

Monthly english poetry readings, book swap board for literary events. Check current opening hours as they typically close Sundays/Mondays with afternoon breaks.

Skip the €50 band t-shirts in tourist vintage traps across the city - whether in Born boutiques or elsewhere. Els encants (plaça de les glòries) is the real deal - check current opening schedule as it typically includes monday, wednesday, friday, saturday from 9am-8pm.

Actual vintage clothes, furniture, books, random antiques for real prices. Covered market with that insane mirror canopy reflecting everything below. Get there early before dealers pick through the good stuff. Haggling expected, cash only mostly.

Metro L1 glòries, right there. Found 1960s leather jackets for €20 that would cost €200 anywhere else in the city.