Barcelona has over 40 food markets so you will always be spoilt for choice. However, here we’ve handpicked the best ones to save you having to sift through tens of markets to decide which ones are worth the visit! Take a look at our favourites…
LA BOQUERIA
La Boqueria has been dubbed numerous times as the world’s best food market by surveys and magazines and its easy to see why. Located just off the famous La Rambla, La Boqueria is Barcelona’s biggest food market with a huge variety of fresh produce. Chefs all over the city head here to find the freshest ingredients for their cooking. Dotted around the market you’ll also find bars, such as El Pinotxo, where you can sit down and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the market and enjoy fresh food and drink. You can buy freshly squeezed fruit juice from the fruit stalls throughout the market.
from Barcelona Tourist Guide…
- – It is worth aiming to get to the Boqueria in the morning – preferably before 14:00, as this is when the market is really in full swing.
- – If you are in search of a quick, cheap and quality snack during your visit to the Boqueria, head down the centre of the market to just behind the fish sections. You will find a small stall manned by an Italian man with a wood fired oven selling pizzas by the slice – a favourite of El Bulli’s founder Ferran Adria
Location: Rambla, 91, 08001
How to get there: Metro Liceu (L3)
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-20:30
MERCAT DE SANTA CATERINA
Situated in the heart of El Born and visible from the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Mercat de Santa Caterina is Barcelona’s first covered food market. In 2005 it was refurbished by architects Enruc Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue and has always stood out from other food markets in Barcelona by its desire to innovate. The market has existed in some shape or form for nearly two centuries and has kept the 15th century cloisters and Roman burial grounds intact.
Visit the market’s restaurant, Cuines Santa-Caterina, for the best of Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and vegetarian cuisine, cooked with the freshest ingredients just stalls away. They serve breakfast, lunch, tapas and dinner in the evenings.
Location: Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003
How to get there: Metro Jaume I (L4)
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 07:30-20:30, Mon & Sat 07:30-15:30
MERCAT DE LA LLIBERTAT
This is best market if you want to shop more like a local and find food cheaper than in the more well-known markets mentioned above. The market is situated in the centre of the beautiful Vila de Gracia, which feels like its own village separate from Barcelona (in the past it was a small town next to Barcelona but eventually was joined to the city to be part of it). At the fish counters, buy fish produce or if you fancy something to eat right there and then, they’ll cook you up whatever tickles your fancy in a sort of pop-up restaurant.
Location: Plaça de la Llibertat, 27, 08012
How to get there: Metro Fontana (L3)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-20:30, Sat 08:00-15:00
Like we said at the beginning of the article, Barcelona has many more markets on offer dotted all over the city. We promise to publish a follow up blog with more markets so that you don’t miss out on any! For now, we’ve shared with you this small selection of markets in the city to introduce to our market culture and see another side of Barcelona. Let us know on twitter how you liked them or if you have any favourites of your own at @FusterApartment 😉