Buying Liquor in Barcelona

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I would like to bring on a couple of bottles of Gin for our Mediterranean Cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to purchase (i.e. cheapest ) in Barcelona? I'd prefer not to bring it all the way from CA. Does Barcelona have the BevMo equivalent? I read on one of the threads that there is a duty free shop at the Barcelona port--is that well priced?

 

[DoeWDW]

Excellent questions and I'd love to know the answers too!

 

[lexlaw69]

Just like here there are grocery and liquor stores everywhere. The port had a fairly limited selection. You are probably better off buying a bottle or two in Barcelona and then restocking as you go at the different ports. We were never too far away from a liquor store.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thanks, lexlaw--that's good to know. I was hoping for a good discount store. I'm assuming liquor is pretty expensive in europe and was hoping someone might have a good source.

 

[lexlaw69]

Liquor and especially wine is priced cheaper in most cases. The Torres (Spanish) wine I had at my wedding which was 55 dollars a bottle, retailed for 25 in the states was closer to 7 in Spain. Most people on this cruise would just stock up at the different ports.

I did a wine package last year and it was good. However, I'm going to try and buy a bottle of something local on the trip and just pay corkage this time around.

Last, people make a big deal about the price differnce for things. American things in Europe like "coke" might be 200% more expensive - but your talking 2.00 instead of .75 cents. There are 5.00 cokes in heavy tourist areas but you can find them cheap at stores that are on the same street. Same with booze and beer.

 

[ludari]

I would like to bring on a couple of bottles of Gin for our Mediterranean Cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to purchase (i.e. cheapest ) in Barcelona? I'd prefer not to bring it all the way from CA. Does Barcelona have the BevMo equivalent? I read on one of the threads that there is a duty free shop at the Barcelona port--is that well priced?

My friends and I purchased alcohol for our Disney TA cruise in September 2010 when we where in Barcelona. Since we where staying at a hotel on La Rambla it was convenient for us to visit La Boqueria which is an outdoor market full of goodies for your trip including several places where you can purchase alcohol within the same market place so you can price compare. I thought the prices where decent but since we didn't purchase Gin I cannot give you a price. La Rambla is not too far from the port and I would suggest you check it out even if you decide not to purchase from this area. Just keep your eyes on your wallets/purses because this area is known for it's pick pockets and tourist. I hope this helps.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thanks so much, Ludari! That is perfect. We are staying in a hotel near the La Rambla area and plan on walking around the market. Glad to hear the prices weren't too outrageous. I'm hoping they have Coke Zero on the ship for some homemade rum and cokes.

 

[K8T]

At the top of Las Ramblas, there is a large square Placa Catalyuna, to the right of this is a large department store Cortes Ingles, in the basement is a supermarket, which stocks a lot of wines and spirits, incluidng Gin.

I think alcohol in Europe is cheaper than in the states. Also look in the duty free shops as you get off the plane.

Kate

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Awesome, thank you so much Kate! Great ideas. I'm going to print off your comment and take it with me.

 

[mommy_grrl]

I'm with Kate - if you can hit duty free when you get off the plane (there is usually a "last chance to buy" spot once you are thru customs) go that route.

DO NOT bring it with you. Not worth the risk of soaking your entire cruise wardrobe with gin. :0)

 

[mommy_grrl]

arggh duplicate post

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

DO NOT bring it with you. Not worth the risk of soaking your entire cruise wardrobe with gin. :0)

Could you imagine? People would smell us coming! And I just realized I said Gin early on and I meant Rum, LOL. Not like anyone cares, I know!

 

[MissReeRee]

I would like to bring on a couple of bottles of Gin for our Mediterranean Cruise. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best place to purchase (i.e. cheapest ) in Barcelona? I'd prefer not to bring it all the way from CA. Does Barcelona have the BevMo equivalent? I read on one of the threads that there is a duty free shop at the Barcelona port--is that well priced?

The shop in the port that sells alcohol has a very limited selection. I don't remember it being too overpriced but there wasn't much to choose from. Any grocery store you see will have alcohol and most of them have the same american brands of rum, like bacardi. Spanish grocery stores are Mercadona, SuperSol, Carrefour, Alcampo, Consum and Dia (well those are the biggest ones) My husband likes the little cans of premixed rum and cokes by bacardi that run about a euro. We are planning to bring a small amount on then refill as needed in port.

Also no coke zero! I wish! There's diet coke and sprite zero.

 

[FLCMpirate82]

I have been looking into this as well, since you can only bring 2 liters per person into Spain per their customs. From what I've found duty free in the airport seems the be the best. I looked up their hours and they are open 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, so you should have no trouble grabbing a few bottles before you go to port/hotel when you arrive. That's our plan!

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Thanks everyone for all the great information--I knew this was the right place to ask! And bummer about the no coke zero!

 

[Anal Annie]

I think I've read that there is also a place in the Glories Shopping Center to buy wine & alcohol.

(When I fly and am not sure where I will be able to find booze to purchase I put some Captain Morgan in an empty plastic water bottle & put it in a large Ziplock bag.)