A quality leather bag is a lasting souvenir
From early morning until about 2 p.m. hundreds of merchants sell their wares on the boulevard along Platja de Blanes and beyond. In fact, the line of stalls stretches from Sa Palomera all the way up to the roundabout at the port. That’s over 800 meters of merchandise – anything from beach towels and clothes to leather bags and belts, and from personal care products to shoes and souvenirs.
Every Monday morning a Blanes ritual observed by locals and tourists alike is a trip to the weekly street market at the beach.
Good deals – and some bad ones – at the market
There are some good deals to be had. Granted, what’s on offer does not vary much from what you can find at a typical street market back home. But something bought in Blanes often functions as a memento of your visit as well. A nice shirt or skirt. A beach towel. Sunglasses. A ‘hand painted’ tapas bowl. You name it.
Yes, good deals – and some bad ones. For instance, many of the clothes, jewelry, and trinkets on sale can often be found for less money in the ubiquitous warehouse stores operated by Chinese families. (Those businesses are amazing, by the way. If there’s anything they do not carry, you probably will never need it anyway).
Why you do not want to buy a leather bag at the street market
Plan your Blanes Trip
Our biggest mistake? Buying a leather bag at the market. Multiple bags, in fact, since we made the same mistakes several years in a row. Yes, at the time we thought we were just lucky – finding a bag we liked at a price that left us with some extra Pina Colada money. But no, these things fell apart far sooner than we had expected.
Here’s the problem: travelling market sales people whose products are of interest to locals thrive on repeat business. Satisfied clients who will return week after week, month after month. But merchants who know they will likely never see their tourist customers again, have almost no incentive to make sure their products live up to your expectations.
By the time you discover your purchase won’t last till at least your next vacation, you’ll be on a flight back home.
Where to buy leather goods in Blanes
It’s a different story for local shopkeepers. They make sure that what they offer is worth the price you pay. They primarily live of local repeat business. Word of mouth customers. And whereas a market stall may be here today, gone the next time you visit, a local store will stand behind its products. So even if you are not a local, but rather a tourist who – like many – returns to Blanes year after year, you benefit from such a store’s good reputation.
And that brings us to Blanes Piel (or Blanes Pell, in Catalan). A leather goods store located just one street over from the weekly street market. The sign reads, “marroquinería – la teva botiga d’artesania en pell” – which means, “leather goods – your leather crafts store.”
The proprietor is Jamal – a good natured man who clearly takes pride in his products. And with good reason. Over the years we have made several purchases here, and we have always been pleased with the lasting quality.
Located on Plaça de España, Blanes Piel has a huge collection of leather goods: bags and purses in all sizes and varieties, belts, wallets, hats and sandals. Overwhelmed? No problem. Jamal will help you find just what you are looking for.
Camera bag
My most recent purchase was a camera bag that comfortably carries my large DLSR camera plus peripherals. I wanted one that I can carry across my body. It had to be both secure and comfortable to wear.
Jamal suggested one that fit my requirements, and at a reasonable price. By now that bag has been used extensively, and it has held up perfectly.
Moreover, due to the shape of the bag and the clever placement of the various pockets, I can have the camera – and any extras I might need – in my hand in a flash.
To me that bag functions as a lasting souvenir – something useful that reminds me of Blanes every time I use it.
Where to find Jamal’s Blanes Piel leather goods store
Blanes Piel leather goods store is located on Plaza de España. You find that square just one street over from the boulevard along Platje de Blanes, the beach that fronts the old town.
That boulevard, Passeig Cortils i Vieta, is where the Monday market takes place. About half way between Placa de Cataluyna, the roundabout that marks the start of the market, and the music stand (closer to the port) there are traffic lights where you can cross the street to Carrer Ample.
The traffic lights are between La Caseta Blanes (a restaurant we highly recommend) and Gelateria Venezia (an ice cream store we also frequent).
On one corner across the street is the popular Ale-Hop store – with a huge cow in the door opening.
Enter Carrer Ample at the same side as the Ale-Hop store. At the next corner turn right onto Plaça de España. Blanes Piel is at number 5. You’ll recognize it by all the leather bags around the door opening.
Plan your trip!
- Cheap flights to Barcelona (BCN) or Girona (GRO)
- Great deals on Blanes hotels, hostels, appartments, and chalets
- Activities & excursions in Blanes, Barcelona, rest of Catalonia
- Kayak, catamaran cruise, Tossa ferry, scuba dive from Lloret de Mar
Book Your Costa Brava Beach Vacation Hotel
See Barcelona, and don't miss the Botanical Garden in Blanes
The Marimurtra Botanical Garden in Blanes is considered the best Mediterranean Botanical Garden in Europe. Founded by Karl Faust, the garden not only features 4000+ species of plants, but also provides gorgeous, panoramic views across the Mediterranean sea. Instagram, anyone?Also, see the impressive La Sagrada Familia, beautiful Casa Batlló, and more masterful works by Antoni Gaudi on a tour through Barcelona.
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