Entrance to the Market

Barcelona‘s La Boqueria Market (also called Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria) is a true feast for the senses. As soon as you walk in you can see, smell, touch, hear and of course, taste the wonders and excitement of the city’s best public market. It’s touristy for sure, but it’s also a working market, used every day by the locals who come to shop for supplies for their daily meals.

Here at the market you’ll find everything from brightly colored (and expensive) candy and rich chocolates to recently deceased (and fully intact) animals like bunnies and chickens. You can find every kind of egg imaginable (chicken, ostrich, quail, and more), all parts of the cow and pig from head to hoof, fresh baked breads, brightly-colored fish from all corners of the sea, fresh fruit, spices, and cheese. In short, everything you need to create a multi-course meal or just the perfect Catalan picnic can be found here. Foodies will be in heaven, though vegetarians might not enjoy it so much.

The market is located just off La Rambla and is open every day except Saturday from 8am to 8:30 at night. Come early to watch the vendors set up (and avoid the later crowds) or swing through in afternoon for lunch at one of the market’s restaurants (like the famous Pinoxto) and see it at its busiest (but watch your pockets in the crowd). After around 4 or 5pm the market is much quieter, but many shops begin to close up around this time. After the sun sets the area becomes a bit sketchy so most people avoid it at this time.

There’s no fee to visit the market and prices at most vendors are quite reasonable. Several companies run guided tours of the market, but you can easily explore it on your own in an hour or two.

Photo credit: Katie Hammel

Related: Dreaming of Spain and Costa del Sol; Taller de Tapas in Barcelona, Spain.