The Maremagnum shopping centre, entirely surrounded by water, isn’t just a retail destination – it’s an attraction in its own right. The pretty seaside setting means that far from being a chore, shopping becomes a relaxing, pleasurable experience.
Some statistics to give you an idea of just how popular Maremagnum is: in 2016, the centre attracted almost eleven million visitors, compared to a little over 4.5 million for Sagrada Familia the same year. It seems unbelievable, but we’re telling you, it’s true….
Maremagnum: the best and the worst
The best of Maremagnum
Opened in 1995, the shopping centre offers a whole host of advantages:
It’s open almost every day of the year, even on Sundays and public holidays (except for 1st May and 25th December)
The setting is simply idyllic, a stone’s throw from the port and a short distance from the statue of Christopher Columbus, Las Ramblas and the Aquarium
The shopping centre offers spectacular sea views. From some of the restaurants and cafés, you can see the iconic red cable car over the port and the spectacular Hotel W reflected in the sea – now, where’d I put the camera?
Enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the city: instead of traffic, listen to the cry of the seagulls and the boats leaving the port
The curvy wooden bridge over the water to the shopping centre is just like something you’d find on a ship – enjoy the crossing!
Make sure you stop to admire the floating artworks by the sculptor Robert Llimós: little white people looking up at the stars (Mira Estels). The work is based on a poem by Joan Brossa.
The downside to Maremagnum
Maremagnum has its weak points, and it’s as well to be aware of them:
As Maremagnum attracts a lot of tourists, it also attracts pickpockets. However, if you keep an eye on what’s going on and keep tight hold of your things, everything should be just fine.
Despite being spread over three floors, the centre isn’t actually that big, and the individual shops – of which there are 80 – are generally quite small.
The interior design of Maremagnum is nothing special, and the hallways have no particular charm to them.
If you’re wanting to visit a specific store (Oysho, for example), you’d be better off visiting one of their other establishments in the city (e.g. Pelai 40 or Rambla Catalunya 75) – these dedicated spaces are bigger and have a wider range of stock.
Things are set to change, however: Klépierre, the French company which owns the centre, has announced plans to extend. Work should be finished by the end of 2021.
Ikks: clothes, bags and accessories for men, women and children
Felgar: clothing boutique founded by a couple from Barcelona, specializing in mid-range Spanish brands such as Murt and Jocavi, alongside international brands including Liujo or Max Mara
Intimissimi: Italian lingerie chain
Lacoste: a famous international sports and fashion brand for men and women
Lefties: affordable Spanish fashion for men, women and children
Macson: urban, relaxed menswear
Pull & Bear: Spanish clothing brand (a member of the Inditex family) for both men and women
Victoria’s Secret: notorious lingerie brand from the US of A
Clothes stores on the first floor (P 1)
Bershka: clothing from the Spanish Inditex group
H&M: fast fashion for men, women and children of all ages
Inside: quirky, urban womenswear
Jack and Jones: fashionable menswear
Kaotik.0: Catalan clothing boutique for men, women and children
Mango: famous womenswear brand
Oysho: another member of the Spanish Inditex family, selling lingerie and womenswear
Pimkie: affordable French fashion brand
Springfield: Spanish menswear chain, part of the Cortefiel group
Stradivarius: budget womenswear from the Inditex group
Superdry: British urban clothing brand
Women’s Secrets: Spanish women’s lingerie brand
11 degrees boutique store, Plaça de l’Odisea
British brand 11 Degrees runs the only store on the square outside the shopping centre.
Maremagnum: sports shops
Adidas: German brand established in 1949, selling clothing, shoes and other sports accessories
The Official Barcelona FC Store: articles sold by the local sporting giants du grand club de foot barcelonais
The Official Real Madrid Store: articles sold by the biggest club in Madrid, and the principal rivals of Barcelona!
New Balance: sporting goods for men, women and children
Maremagnum: shoes
There are only two shoe shops in Maremagnum, both on the ground floor.
Marypaz: Spanish women’s footwear brand
Primadonna: Italian women’s footwear and accessories
Maremagnum: jewellery and accessories
Jewellery and accessories stores on the ground floor
Calzedonia: Italian lingerie brand specialising in socks, tights, leggings and swimwear
Claire’s: British high-street favourite for cheap n’ cheerful jewellery and accessories
Pandora: Danish brand offering a vast range of jewellery and charms
Parfois: Portuguese brand offering jewellery and accessories at affordable prices
Sunglass Hut: US brand selling the latest collections from famous sunglasses manufacturers
Time Road: Jewellery and watches from the Festina Lotus group
Maremagnum: toys and souvenirs
Juguettos: toys for children aged 0 – 12
Sense of Barcelona: souvenir shop
Beauty products and perfume
Beauty products and perfume on the ground floor
Forever Flowless Stand: stand selling luxury products made from diamond dust
Kiko: famous budget-friendly Italian cosmetics brand
Lush: a UK favourite – 100% vegetarian beauty and bath products, not tested on animals
Marco Aldany: the only hairdressers/beauty salon in Maremagnum
Primor: cosmetics, perfume and parapharmacy brand founded in Malaga
Obey Your Body: stand offering personalised skin analysis
The Body Shop: another British classic, with natural beauty products at reasonable prices
Yves Rocher: famous French brand selling plant-based beauty products
Beauty products and perfume on the first floor
Druni: a Valencia-based chain selling cosmetics, perfumes and parapharmacy items
Maremagnum: bars and restaurants
Once you’ve finished shopping – or even if you just fancy a break – stop off at one of the restaurants or cafés in the shoping centre. Some of them have spectacular sea views, not to be missed!
Mediterranean cuisine:
Ground floor (Planta 0)
El chipirón de Moncho’s
Elx restaurant
Enrique Tomás: Spanish ham specialist
Fresc Co
La Sureña
Tapa tapa
Second floor (Planta 2)
Baritimo Lounge Club
Café del Mar
Gustos Barcelona
Mirando al mar: as the name suggests, the terrace at this restaurant offers superb views of the sea and of the cable car over the port. We haven’t tested it yet, but it’s garnered some great reviews.
Barítimo, on the second floor, is the only cocktail bar in the shopping centre. It offers a perfect setting for drinks with friends or even a meal (we haven’t tested it yet, but reviews are generally poitive). The photo below was taken from the terrace.
We’re big fans of the view of the port cable car and Hotel W, which can also be seen from the terrace at Mirando el Mar and from la Cervecería la Sureña, on the ground floor.
Maremagnum: opening times
Store opening times:
10am – 9pm (10pm in summer)
Café opening times:
9am – 10pm
Restaurant opening times:
11am – 3am
Specific days:
24th December: 10am – 8pm
25th December: certain stores are closed
31st December: 10am – 8pm
1st January and 6th January: noon – 9pm
1st May: certain stores are closed
Maremagnum: useful information
The whole centre is wheelchair accessible.
Maps are available from the information stand on the ground floor.
There are Amazon lockers by the entrance on the ground floor, so you can pick up orders if you so wish.
The tour bus stop nearest to Maremagnum is on Passeig Colom
By car
To get to Maremagnum via the Ronda Litoral, take exit 22 (Barceloneta Port Vell)
Parking at Maremagnum
There’s a 24-hour carpark just below the Maremagnum shopping centre.
It costs less than 5 cents/minute, so around €3/hour with a daily maximum of €24.
Other carparks near Maremagnum
If you’re planning on staying at the Maremagnum all day, you’d be wise to compare prices – you’re sure to find cheaper full-day rates in one of the nearby carparks than in the official carpark.
