Review: El Corte Inglés

Let’s start with scale. Where are we between global flagship and neighborhood boutique?
El Corte Inglés is the biggest department store chain in Europe; when it comes to cramming a lot of great things under one roof, these guys know their stuff. You don’t need a fancy algorithm to know why the shop works: There’s top-brand fashion, a cosmetics section the size of an airport terminal, guaranteed access to toilets, and a multilingual staff. The branch on Plaça de Catalunya is Barcelona’s monolithic flagship; it's resplendent in lights at Christmas and, at all other times, a mountain of 1960s concrete that makes a great navigational compass.

What can we find here, or what should we look for?
You can find everything here. And not just goods; there’s also a hair salon, a key cutter, a supermarket, a DIY section, a dry cleaner, and a tax refund desk.

If money’s no object, what goes in the cart?
One of the nicest, but often overlooked, sections is El Gourmet Club, a super-high-end food section that’s one floor down, but not within the main food hall. This is where you’ll find the ultra-premium wines and spirits, bottles of olive oil that look like works of art, and beautifully decorated tins of cookies that make excellent gifts.

And what if we’re on a strict budget?
Locally inspired trinkets, such as ornate hand-held flamenco fans (called abanicos), can be found for under 10 euros.

Who else shops here?
Brace yourself: This place gets packed. Blame the central location and the epic stock list, but even a random Tuesday in February can feel like you’re in a sale rampage.

Any secret tips, or “don’t go home without” purchases?
Take a speedy refuel at the ninth floor La Rotonda café, which has an outdoor terrace with lovely views of the famous square below.