To Market: Mercat de la Boqueria

Barcelona is a city with many hearts, but one of those beating the loudest is the Mercat de la Boqueria. This historic market located on Barcelona’s bustling thoroughfare, La Rambla, is one of Europe’s oldest and biggest. With a long and somewhat clouded history it is believed to have started as a small open air market just outside the city walls in the 1600s. The market continued to grow as La Rambla gained in popularity and the covered market we know today took shape in 1914 when the metal roof was inaugurated.

The market which is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, year-round houses a dizzying array of stands. Many of the stalls are run by second and third generation sellers who are extremely knowledgable about their goods and the city. You won’t find pushy selling tactics here, but you will find stall workers who like to chat with their customers so enjoy the leisurely atmosphere and pick up some great tips on Catalonian food. Even as the market has continued to expand it remains a local market at heart with tourists mingling with local households and chefs. You may even run into the chef who will be preparing your next meal and admire the food that will appear on your plate.

 The best time to explore the market is early morning when most of the city’s businesses are still closed and the rest of the city is quiet. While avoiding the majority of the tourist crowd you will be able to admire the fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and bakery items. If you have a kitchen in your accommodations or you need a picnic meal you will find everything you need for an amazing Spanish meal including fresh eggs, herbs, delicatessen, bread and pastries, charcuterie, and wine. The market even houses tapas bars where all the ingredients are sourced from the surrounding stalls.

When you are done exploring the market and filling your stomach head out to La Rambla for some great people watching, street art, and more cafes and restaurants. Later in the day head down La Rambla to the waterfront where you will find Port Olimpic and Barceloneta, both offering great waterfront cafes and restaurants with fresh foods aquired at La Boqueria.