Retailers in Barcelona’s designated major tourist shopping zone, known as the ZGAT, may open on eight remaining Sundays in 2026, from Sunday 26 July until Sunday 13 September. The permitted hours are 12pm to 8pm.

For residents and visitors planning weekend shopping, the rule applies only to businesses within the designated zone, not automatically to every shop or shopping centre in the city. Opening remains a decision for each business.

Barcelona’s 2026 arrangement began on Sunday 17 May and runs until 13 September, according to reporting on the renewed local agreement. The City Council’s official trading-hours guidance states that shops in the tourist zone may open on Sundays and public holidays between 12pm and 8pm during the summer period.

Remaining Sundays in the 2026 opening period

  • Sunday 26 July
  • Sunday 2 August
  • Sunday 9 August
  • Sunday 16 August
  • Sunday 23 August
  • Sunday 30 August
  • Sunday 6 September
  • Sunday 13 September

The ZGAT was expanded following a resolution by the Generalitat’s Director General of Commerce on 29 April 2022. The Generalitat is Catalonia’s regional government.

All four neighbourhoods of Ciutat Vella are included in the zone: La Barceloneta, El Gòtic, El Raval, and Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera. The official trading-hours page provides the zone’s boundaries and district-by-district perimeter information, including the rule that the inside pavement of the boundary is included.

Opening is permitted, not compulsory

The arrangement permits Sunday and public-holiday trading during the stated hours, but does not require businesses to open. Shoppers should therefore check with an individual retailer or shopping centre before travelling.

The 2026 period ends on Sunday 13 September. Readers can check whether an address falls within the ZGAT on Barcelona City Council’s official trading-hours page.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, barcelona.cat, Ramon, barcelona.cat, Barcelona City Council, Ramon. Reported by Source Text Link, Patricia Castán, barcelonaaldia.com, Jordi Ribalaygue, Carla Stavraky, Gerard Pruna, Jordi Cubarsi, El Periódico, ARA, catalannews.com, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.