Barcelona is considered one of the most cultural, cosmopolitan and coolest cities in the world, and the shopping opportunities offered do not disappoint.

Most essentials are readily available and the latest in electronic gadgets are easily obtained. The euro is currently strong compared to other major currencies such as the US Dollar and the British Pound, therefore items may not seem as cheap as they once did, however many electrical items as well as food are still cheaper for expats than they experienced in their home countries. Many Spaniards, however, would find things more expensive in Barcelona than in other parts of the country.

Some speciality foods that are particular to a country may be more expensive and slightly more difficult to find in the major Spanish supermarkets, however the larger hypermarkets will have speciality foods aisles, and there are a wealth of specialist shops, both British and from other nationalities, within the city.

Some speciality foods that are particular to a country may be more expensive and slightly more difficult to find in the major Spanish supermarkets, however the larger hypermarkets will have speciality foods aisles, and there are specialist shops both in the city of Malaga itself, and more in the tourist resorts outside the city.

Among the major shopping malls in the city is the Maremagnum Shopping Mall which can be found at the end of Las Ramblas and near the Harbour. It contains a wide range of chain stores, bars and restaurants, and is open seven days a week. At night, its nightclubs remain open until 4.30am.

Other large shopping malls in the area include Gran Via 2, Avinguda de la Gran Via, 2, and Les Glories, at Avda Diagonal, 208.

The El Corte Ingles department store is Spain's largest department store chain, and has a number of outlets in Barcelona. Its biggest is at Pl Catalunya, which also includes a supermarket and delicatessen with foods from around the world, and a restaurant with views across the city.

Among the weekend markets is the Vintage Book Market, which is in the vincinity of Mercat de Sant Antoni on Sundays, and where books, coins, stamps, vinyl records and photos are bought and sold.

Barcelona's largest flea market is the Els Encat Vells in the Pl Glories Catalanes, and is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 6pm.

La Boqueria fresh food market is as much a tourist location as a shopping trip, with hundreds of years of history under its roof. There are hundreds of stalls selling all types of fresh food from around the world. Situated at the Pl de la Boquerie in central Barcelona, it is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8am until 8.30pm.

A list of specialist delicatessens, selling British and American foods can be found here.

English reading material is not difficult to find. Most British and some US newspapers are printed locally so expats can catch up with the day's news immediately rather than waiting for them to be shipped out. Magazines from all over the world are also widely available, both in major shopping centres as well as street corner kiosks.

For more in-depth English reading material such as novels, recipe books, travel guides, many of the larger department stores, such as the Corte Ingles in Pl Catalunya. There are also specialist English bookstores in the city as list of which can be found here.

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