Artisan Shopping in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter

This hand-made footwear shop specializes in traditional Catalan espadrilles. In the early 1940s, the shop founder pioneered wearing these humble peasant shoes as an affordable fashion accessory. This caused a new surge in espadrille's popularity. Since then, the footwear from this shop has been worn by such iconic personalities as Salvador Dalí, Jack Nicholson, Penélope Cruz, and Pope John Paul II. All shoes are hand-made right there in the shop, with a huge selection in every color imaginable. You can watch the whole process of their creation and fully customize your own pair – or you can even try making the shoes yourself in their 90-minute workshops! A pair of classical espadrilles will cost around 40-50 Euros, a customised pair - 70-80 Euros. It is an expensive souvenir but a quality piece that can serve you for decades.

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Caganers are little traditional figurines of a man in the act of defecation. They are a part of Christmas nativity scenes in Catalonia. That is why you usually can buy them only at Christmas markets. However, in this store, they are for sale all year round. The store also does caganers as various celebrities. It is a humble reminder that we’re all human, and even the most famous of us have to poop. A statuette will cost you around 25 Euros. Such a unique and funky gift won’t leave any of your friends indifferent (who are we kidding: they will be blown away)!

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‘Travi’ is an old puppetry workshop, the only one of its kind in Barcelona. Their wood and glove puppets are made using carefully preserved artisanal techniques. You can watch the whole process of their creation right in the workshop. The shop also performs at international festivals and makes adaptations for media. It was even awarded the title ‘Businesses with Soul’ from the city itself.

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L’Arca is known as “the Titanic store” because it supplied most of the costumes and props for the movie unknowingly. If you have a soft spot for vintage treasures from the early 20th century, this is your place! Both a shop and an atelier specializing in hand-made vintage-style wedding dresses. They collect original pieces from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s and repurpose genuine vintage materials to create unique new designs. It also has everything from Japanese kimonos and 1930s flapper dresses to Art Nouveau jewelry pieces and chic handbags and hats. Prices vary, but generally, it is not a cheap place.

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Founded by an Argentine artist Maxó Renella, this art gallery has already become somewhat of a local icon. It is easily recognizable by a life-size cardboard Picasso print-out standing by the entrance. The Maxó Gallery specializes in edgy pop-art posters and traditional artwork pieces featuring Barcelona’s most iconic sights – often in new, unexpected interpretations. Most artwork is created right there in the shop or in Maxó’s workshop in Carrer del Portal Nou. You will find here things around 30-40 Euros, but most of their art is 100 Euros and higher.

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A piece of art in itself, this concept store specializes in Mediterranean-inspired home décor and carefully sourced antiques. You will find here things from furniture to bizarre light fixtures, artisan ceramics, bohemian accessories, and vintage clothing. Every time I visit this place, I have a feeling like I am wandering through some old curiosity shop. It is the place if you want to buy some vintage or artisanal things for your home.

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Arts Escudellers offers a huge selection of original pottery pieces and unique ceramic souvenirs. They are great for their traditional and Catalan Modernism-inspired ornaments. The place has historic roots. Carrer dels Escudelleres, in fact, used to be the street where potters lived in the Gothic Quarter. From the 14th century, the street housed Escudellers, potters who specialized in the production of ‘escudillas.’ These various pots decorated with traditional motives were used for virtually everything at the time. The historic traditions are now reborn in this eclectic shop. Prices vary. You will find here cheap things around 5-7 Euros and elaborate pieces worth hundreds.

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