Fresh produce markets are a staple of Spanish culture and luckily, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Barcelona. With fishermen raking in their newest hauls, farmers bringing their harvest to the table and Spanish meats and cheese to spare, nobody leaves a Barcelona market hungry and without a snack to take home.
As one of the largest fresh produce markets in all of Europe, La Boqueria is a feast for the senses with all manner of tastes, colours and smells set in the bustling indoor market. La Boqueria is the oldest market in the city and is located in the La Rambla district, offering everything from fresh fish to organic vegetables, and also plays host to a number of incredible tapas bars and restaurants perfect for a quick meal. Inseparable from the history of Catalonian cuisine, it’s worth picking up Spanish hams and cheese here before making the journey home
This stunning market is easily spotted by its undulating rainbow ceramic roof, which was added by architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue in 2005 to breathe new life into the structure first built in 1845. While its design might not be in line with classic ideas of what a market looks like, the interior is a traditional Catalonian market in every sense of the word with stalls upon stalls of tantalisingly fresh produce. Once you’ve finished roaming the passages, make your way to one of the market’s fantastic bars for a well-deserved tipple.
Mercat de Sant Andreu
Venture off the beaten path and find your way to the distinctive Placa del Mercadal square, where Mercat de Sant Andreu is nestled. Frequented by Barcelona locals, this modest market is noticeably smaller than heavyweights like La Boqueria but makes up for its size with its welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere and wallet-friendly prices. Perfect for the traveller who wants to avoid crowds of tourists, Mercat de Sant Andreu is a real slice of life in Barcelona.
Mercat de la Llibertat
Located in the diverse and beautiful Gracia neighbourhood, Mercat de la Llibertat channels the effortless charm of its surroundings. Built in the 19th century and a beautifully preserved example of Modernista architecture, the market is sprawling with stalls selling meats, vegetables, fruits, flowers and more. Seafood is a speciality here and it’s worth stopping off at one of the market’s eateries for a delicious meal.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
San Antoni is one of Barcelona’s most eclectic markets with lively vendors hawking all manner of goods. Like many of the markets on the list, Mercat de Sant Antoni has a traditional iron and brick structure and spills onto the streets outside. The varied stalls surrounding the building sell lifestyle items like homeware and clothing, whereas the indoor stalls revolve around fresh produce. While it’s still currently undergoing renovation, it’s still worth the visit especially on Sundays when a special book and coin market takes over the surrounding area.
16th November 2017 by Barcelona Pass Blogger
