There are currently 209 iconic shops listed in Barcelona. These are often centuries-old businesses that have maintained their original business activity and have never relocated. All of them are a symbol of the city and an expression of Barcelona’s business identity. But they’re also spaces full of unique characteristics, artistic beauty and quality products, making them a highly valuable asset both for the neighbourhood and for tourists visiting the city. 

To promote and protect these shops, Barcelona City Council has passed the Government Action Plan for the Preservation and Promotion of Barcelona’s Iconic Shops (2021-2024), a document that seeks to address new situations threatening iconic shops. Its four main goals are as follows: 

1. Work for the preservation and promotion of iconic shops.

2. Establish Barcelona as a leading example of a city that preserves its iconic shops.

3. Put together resources and tools to learn about the current situation of these shops and implement local policies. 

4. Involve iconic shops in municipal policies related to local commerce in order to guarantee their competitiveness. 

With the goal of promoting and raising awareness of these shops among Barcelona city residents, the Ruta dels Emblemàtics website has been created so that anyone can take a tour of these iconic businesses and sights that have emerged over the centuries and that are today a valuable part of our heritage, as well a great asset in terms of culture and tourism, worthy of preservation and recognition. The project is an initiative of the Fons d’Imatges del Comerç de Catalunya [Catalonia Shop Images Collection] in collaboration with Barcelona City Council. 

Iconic shops are among Barcelona’s major historical features and help shape a sustainable city model that is committed to social harmony and cohesion. That’s why City Council is launching several initiatives to promote, publicise, restore and preserve these shops. You can see them all here.