Browse extravagant delicacies and widen your sensory boundaries at the Boqueria Market. With everything from tropical fruits to local olives and tapas bars to cooking classes, this market is a gourmand’s fantasy.
Founded in the 13th century, Boqueria Market was originally an open-air trading forum for farmers. Many vendors have ancestors that helped build the market to its modern glory. Join the throngs of visitors who visit each day to purchase from the bountiful displays of fruits and vegetables.
From the moment you enter the market’s iron gate, take in the colourful sights and rich smells of these produce stands. Pick from a range of exotic fruits or try a freshly squeezed juice while wandering the market alleyways. Buy bags of olives, bunches of chillies or selections of artisanal cheeses. Savour the warm scents emanating from the market bakeries, shave a slice off a leg of cured ham or choose a live lobster to boil up later.
At lunchtime, the crowds of locals and visitors transform the alleyways into streams of people. Take a seat at a tapas bar and try fried chorizo, seafood platters or wood fired pizzas. Friendly chefs and waiters are chatty and very happy to accept compliments.
Food enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Boqueria Food School. Try a cooking class or take a workshop with the kids. Details can be found on the market’s website.
Find the Boqueria Market about halfway along La Rambla, Barcelona’s main promenade. Walk there from Plaça de Catalunya or Plaça del Portal de la Pau in about ten minutes. Otherwise, catch public buses or the metro, which have stops nearby.
Boqueria Market is open from Monday to Saturday. To avoid the crowds, visit before 2pm. Visiting on Saturday is also recommended, as vendors often sell their wares at discounted prices.
