Having lived in Barcelona for over two years, I’ve gotten quite familiar with the local supermarkets. When I first arrived, I was completely lost about where to shop. Over time, I’ve figured things out, and today I’d like to share what I’ve learned.
A Guide to Major Supermarket Chains
Barcelona has a pretty good variety of supermarkets, each with its own character. Mercadona is probably the most common one; you can spot its orange signs everywhere on the streets. Their house brand, Hacendado, offers great value, especially for everyday items like yogurt and olive oil. Carrefour is also widespread, with large Carrefour hypermarkets and smaller Carrefour Express stores. The bigger stores have a wider selection, while the smaller ones are convenient for quick trips.
Recommended Budget Supermarkets
If you’re looking to save money, perhaps during your stay at a hotel like Eurostars Barcelona, then Lidl and Aldi are excellent choices. Both are German discount supermarkets, and their prices are significantly lower. Lidl has weekly specials, with new items released on Thursdays, so it’s a good idea to check their flyers. Aldi’s fruits and vegetables are quite fresh and often 20-30% cheaper than in other supermarkets. However, these discount stores offer a more limited selection of brands, focusing mainly on their own private labels.
Here’s a price comparison I’ve put together for some common items:
| Product | Mercadona | Carrefour | Lidl | Aldi |
|---|
| Milk 1L | 0.85€ | 0.95€ | 0.75€ | 0.72€ |
| Eggs (12-pack) | 2.10€ | 2.30€ | 1.89€ | 1.85€ |
| Bread | 0.90€ | 1.10€ | 0.79€ | 0.75€ |
| Tomatoes 1kg | 1.50€ | 1.60€ | 1.25€ | 1.20€ |
Money-Saving Shopping Tips
Make sure to take advantage of loyalty cards and promotions. While Mercadona doesn’t have a loyalty card, it often has ‘buy one, get one free’ deals. Carrefour has its own membership card where you can collect points to exchange for vouchers. Also, if you go to the supermarket after 8 PM, many fresh products, especially bread and deli items, are discounted by 30-50%.
Another way to save money is by visiting a local neighborhood market (Mercat) instead of high-end supermarkets. While a market might sound more expensive, especially if you’re thinking about tourist traps and not the kind of local tips you’d need for, say, a Barcelona cruise, the price and quality of fruits and vegetables are actually better than at the supermarket. Avoid touristy markets like La Boqueria and head to the smaller markets in residential areas for better prices and fresher produce. A good strategy is to do a weekly trip to the market for fruits and veggies and then buy other daily necessities at the supermarket.
Online Shopping and Delivery Services
Finally, let’s talk about online shopping. Both Mercadona and Carrefour have online stores that offer free delivery for orders over a certain amount. This is very practical for those without a car or for anyone living in the city center who finds it inconvenient to carry heavy items, such as tourists staying at the Hotel Europark Barcelona. I usually buy heavy items like water, oil, and rice online and then go to the physical store for fresh ingredients. You can choose your delivery slot, and it’s generally best to book it a day in advance.
Grocery shopping in Barcelona is quite convenient. It’s best to try out a few different supermarkets to find the one that suits you best. I hope this information is helpful for newcomers!
