Shops and commercial centres in Barcelona's major tourist areas will open on Sundays and public holidays from 17 May until mid-September. This marks the start of one of the busiest retail periods of the year for the city.

Establishments in these designated zones can open from 12pm to 8pm on Sundays and selected public holidays. This extended schedule will be in place for nearly four months, ending on 13 September, according to Barcelona City Council.

The areas included span several districts. In Ciutat Vella, this covers El Raval, El Gòtic, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i La Ribera, and La Barceloneta. The Eixample district includes Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample, Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, Dreta de l’Eixample, La Sagrada Família, El Fort Pienc, and Sant Antoni.

Expanded Shopping Zones

Sants-Montjuïc will see shops open in Sants, Hostafrancs, Poble Sec, and Font de la Guatlla. Les Corts district includes its namesake neighbourhood. In Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, the areas are Sant Gervasi-Galvany and parts of El Putxet i el Farró.

Gràcia includes Vila de Gràcia and parts of La Salut, El Camp d’en Grassot, Gràcia Nova, and Vallcarca i els Penitents. Horta-Guinardó has part of El Baix Guinardó. Sant Martí covers Vila Olímpica del Poblenou, El Poblenou, and parts of Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou, as well as Diagonal Mar and Front Marítim del Poblenou.

Beyond individual shops on streets like Portal de l’Àngel, Passeig de Gràcia, and Rambla Catalunya, major commercial centres will also adopt the extended hours. These include Las Arenas, Glòries, Diagonal Mar, La Maquinista, and L'illa Diagonal. In previous years, only Maremàgnum operated on Sundays.

Key Dates for Extended Hours

The city council has confirmed the following dates for extended opening hours:

  • All Sundays between 17 May and 13 September.
  • 24 June, Sant Joan.
  • 15 August, Assumption Day.
  • 11 September, Diada Nacional de Catalunya.

This move prepares Barcelona for a new season of intense commercial activity on Sundays and public holidays, particularly in tourist areas like Ciutat Vella, where places such as La Rambla, Barri Gòtic, and La Barceloneta see a significant increase in visitors during these months.

However, the policy continues to generate differing opinions. Associations like Barcelona Oberta believe that expanding the authorised areas further would allow the city to better use its growing appeal as a weekend shopping destination. Local shop owners, on the other hand, generally feel the current calendar is sufficient. For now, the City Council has decided to maintain the current situation, avoiding changes due to a lack of consensus.