Sants Street

The longest commercial street of Europe. This commercial axis is placed in the district of Sants-Montjuïc, between the Plaça Espanya and the Collblanc road. Along this walk of 4 kilometers we find more than 500 shops. Everything is there and for all the pleasures and pockets: clothes, home-ware, telecommunication shops, bookstores and many, many shoe shops. Also, there is an abundance of cafés and bars, so in any moment it is possible to stop and restore forces to continue with the shopping spree.

And there is still more: along this big walk we find two markets full of stops with fresh produce and of the most appetising. Next to the Sants Square there is the Sants Market (Sant Jordi, 6), work of the architect Falqués i Urpí in 1913 and recently renewed. Already in the area of Creu Coberta, next to Plaça Espanya, we find the Hostafrancs Market (Creu Coberta, 93), with an original structure of iron that was inaugurated in 1888 and that also has been renewed.

Actually, this street it is known popularly as Highway of Sants, since formerly it had the consideration of a highway. In fact, the quarter of Sants, an old industrial suburb, was an independent population until 1897, year in which Barcelona was annexed. At present it splits into two parts: the street of Sants and the street of Creu Coberta (Covered Cross), although as it is a question of a straight route, one often does not distinguish between one or the other.

The authentic essence of this street is the small commerce. And that's why and to encourage it, every year they celebrate the "Día del comercio en la calle" (Day of Commerce in the Street).

Coinciding with the arrival of the good weather (this year was 5th May), on a Saturday the street turns in to a boulevard. The path is blocked for the vehicles and the street turns pedestrian. The shops that want can put a stall to sell their wares on the street. Also, inflatable games for the children are installed and outdoor shows are put on, so this day turns into an authentic popular holiday.

Be as it may, it is always a pleasure to walk along the street of Sants. Although sometimes the abundant traffic turns the walk into a noisy affair, it is worth while approaching this commercial axis to enjoy of an evening of different purchases, removed from the big commercial centers.