Don't miss the Mercat de Sant Josep!
Otherwise known as under the name of La Boqueria, this market is considered to be part of the ten of the world's most beautiful markets and, despite the hordes of tourists, it's still a pleasure to stroll among the splendid stalls of the shopkeepers.
Passing tourists and locals alike enjoy strolling through this magnificent spot in the heart of the Ramblas !
There's something for every taste and color...
La Boqueria: a very old market...
According to the specialists, there are traces of the market as early as 1217...
An open-air market comprising mainly butchers, it wasn't until 1840 that La Boqueria market was truly inaugurated. Expanding considerably over the years, and seeing the arrival of diversify merchandise including fishmongers.
The market is said to have been built on land that had been abandoned after being a convent, the Sant Josep convent, which gave its name to the market! At times, there is also talk of a former flea market...
However, its origins and even its name are not very clear.
A number of theories, including the most far-fetched, have been put forward to explain the origin of the name and the circumstances in which the market was built.
The market feeds the city's legends and mysteries!
In any case, it is clear that the location of the market has always been an important place, a place of passage where merchants gathered...
What does "boqueria" mean?
There are some pretty far-fetched theories as to the origin of the term "boqueria", but the most plausible connection is with meat. "boc in Catalan, the goat meat that was sold on the market.
How do I get to La Boqueria and when?
From the Ramblas...
When you're on the Ramblas, you can't miss the market. This imposing metal building, whose exact address is La Rambla, 91!
If you arrive from Plaça Catalunya, it will be on your right at the Liceu metro station.
The market is open since 8 a.m. (a relatively early hour, as Barcelona doesn't wake up at dawn compared to northern European cities...) and until 8:30pm.
Open from Monday to Saturday!
Please note that we are closed on Sundays, and pay particular attention to public holidays.
Leave early in the morning for peace of mind, or late at night to buy for less...
Like everywhere else, there are fewer people in the early hours of the morning. As soon as the market opens, you'll be able to watch shopkeepers prepare their stalls and enjoy breakfast with a cup of coffee.
As the day progresses, more and more people flock to the market. With a peak évidemment sur le temps de midi espagnol, entre
13h30 et 15h30.If you want to go shopping, the end of the day is the best time. The market will be less crowded, and merchants will be eager to sell their wares as quickly as possible before closing time.
The Boqueria market is huge: where should I go first?
It's hard to choose between more than 250 stalls, bars and restaurants.
Take your time to discover the map available at the information center, so that you can go where you're most interested, but really, I'd advise you to wander through the aisles at random. let yourself be seduced by a few tapas and mariscos. The shopkeepers are very friendly and will offer you all kinds of discoveries as you pass by!
The market's website is particularly well designed, as you can click on each stand to find out what it specializes in (http://www.boqueria.barcelona/inicio).
If you're there in the middle of the afternoon, it's time for a little vermouth, a cooked wine with spices, a slice of orange and an olive.
With that, local specialties like calamari à la romaine or a seafood paella.
Some places like Le Pinotxo are well known, with their advantages and disadvantages of course!
What to buy at La Boqueria
All food products are available. In fact, many Catalans also come to the Boqueria to stock up because the choice is considerable. This applies to both local and exotic products. Of course, the prices are not the most competitive, and the fact that so many visitors come to the market means that there is very little bargaining... Buying cheaply is not the aim of the Boqueria market!
Here, it's all about strolling through the stalls and being seduced by the products on display.
I recommend sit on a bar stool and enjoy a few tapas or pinchos on the sly (from the Basque Country, Pinxo or Pincho is a slice of baguette topped with fish, meat or vegetables). Point out what you'd like to try and try new things...
What to see in the area
When you're at La Boqueria, you're in the heart of the old town. You have several options... Wander through the Old Town, the Gothic quarter known for its trendy boutiques and streets where you can get lost... You're just a stone's throw from RavalThe most popular district, with residents from all over the world...
Small shops and the tradition of covered markets...
In Barcelona and Spain in general, there are a true love of small business. You'll notice that in the center of Barcelona, unless you go really far out of town, you won't easily find a supermarket where everything is available. Supermarkets are rather small and not really specialized. In Spain, people like to keep in touch with retailers. And every little neighborhood has its own covered market. It's a real meeting place!
We'll have a cup of coffee on the terrace and shop at the local market...
And if you like covered markets like La Boqueria, there are other markets worth a visit.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
This market remains one of the city's most important, and its special feature is that it's open 7 days a week, even on Sundays, from 8am to 8pm!
AddressCarrer Comte d'Urgell, 1, 08011 Barcelona
Mercat de Santa Catarina
In the heart of the city, you can see the market from the Cathedral.
Open Monday to Friday, with daily specials!
On Mondays, the market is open from 7.30am to 2pm. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, open from 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Address Av. de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona
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