LA BOQUERIA MARKET

La Boqueria has a global reputation for being one of the most exciting fresh food markets in the world.

Travellers wanting to see the chaos, local restaurateurs and culinary wizards seeking out the best seasonal produce that the city can offer, and locals with a passion for good food, all push and prod their way through the crowded markets at La Boqueria.

If you are keener on joining in then eating-and-watching, there are some tempting opportunities for a snack as you explore. Will you choose a travel pack of fresh fruit, or a chipbag of fried whitebait, calamari and octopus? Do you want a selection of croquettes or a bocadillo of jamon and queso? Maybe it is easier to head straight to the chocolates and sweets.

For those wanting to actually shop for food in Barcelona, an early start to the day is less chaotic and jostled, with more open stalls to choose from. After midday, stalls start closing down towards the back of La Boqueria, although there are usually a couple of butchers, seafood and poultry stalls open until official market close each evening. This makes around 1 pm a great time to take home some seafood, as you can haggle for an even better price. With seafood coming in twice day, market stalls don’t need to store stock overnight for tomorrow’s customers.

The entrance way to the famous La Boqueria market is a mesmerizing display of fruit and vegetables, dried nuts, and deli stalls. Each has its own way of making it all about the food: from the modest delis with counter rows of peppered sausages and hanging charcuteries, to the elaborate grocer stalls with pyramids stacked of brightly coloured fruits and skin-gleaming vegetables.

La Boqueria is the perfect display of Barcelona’s city energy: a vibrant buzz bubbles up from the busy mix of tourism, commerce and the Catalan gastronomic culture.

OPENING TIME

Monday to Saturday:  6 am to 21 pm

ACCESS

Metro: Liceu (Green Line, L3)