THE 6 ESSENTIAL MARKETS OF BARCELONA
Everyone loves a good market, the sounds, the streets… You find objects that you would never think to find, the freshest food, the best people. Fortunately for you, we have made a compilation of some of the markets that are a must to visit if you come to Barcelona. Come on in!
Mercat de la Boqueria : La Rambla, 91
Located less than 5 minutes walking from our hostel, it is the most important and well-known gastronomic market in the city. Its 300 stalls offer a faithful reflection of the variety and multiculturalism that characterizes Barcelona, being able to find from typical Catalan products to the most exotic delicacies from different parts of the world.
A feast of colors, flavors and aromas that make this market a gastronomic paradise that is a must for both tourists and locals.
In addition, La Boqueria is populated with excellent restaurants and food stalls, such as El Quim de la Boqueria or the Central Bar de la Boqueria, where you can taste delicious tapas and dishes made at the moment with fresh products from the same market.
Mercat de Santa Caterina : Av. de Francesc Cambó, 16
With almost two centuries of history (it was built in 1845 to supply groceries to the popular classes of the neighborhood), the Santa Caterina market stands out, in addition to the quality of its unbeatable products, for the colorful and wavy modernist roof that crowns the building since its reopening in 2005.
As a perfect counterpoint to the modernity of the façade, inside the enclosure you can breathe the atmosphere of traditional markets with traditional food stalls. In them you will find an almost endless universe of products: fruits and vegetables, butchers, cheese shops with gourmet corners, preserves, oils, spices and a long list of authentic delicacies.
In addition, the market (located a short distance from Barcelona Cathedral) has restaurants capable of driving the most demanding diners crazy, such as the OBE restaurant and the Cuines de Santa Caterina.
Mercat dels Encants : Carrer de los Castillejo, 158
Mercat dels Encants, also known as “Encants Vells”, is the largest flea market in Barcelona and one of the oldest in Europe. Originally built in the 14th century, in 2013 it was moved to an avant-garde building where you can find antiques, clothes, books, electronics and everything you can imagine both new and second-hand.
Mercat de la Concepció : Carrer d’Aragó, 317
This market located in the Eixample neighborhood (very close to Passeig de Gràcia) is better known among Barcelonans as “the flower market” because, in addition to the typical food stalls, inside you will find an immense variety of beautiful plants and flowers for all tastes and pockets.
The market was built in 1888 and is located in an impressive modernist building with large windows and an iron structure of about 4,000 square meters.
Mercat de Sant Antoni : Carrer del Compte d’Urgell,1
The Mercat de Sant Antoni was inaugurated in 1882 as the first market outside the old city walls. Its building exploits to the maximum the geometric possibilities of the Ensanche blocks, with an iron structure raised on a cross-shaped ground plan.
In October 2009 the remodeling of the Market began, whose original project had to be altered due to the archaeological findings of the old wall on which it was built. The remodeling of the Market will transform it into a space that will bring together the traditional market with a museum area where the sites can be seen.
The Mercat de Sant Antoni is also known for the market that is held on Sundays of buyers and sellers of all as stamps, coins, badges and magazines kinds of collectible materials such among others.
Palo Alto Market: Carrer dels Pellaires, 30
A modern and sophisticated take on a street market where chefs, musicians, artists and all kinds of creative minds meet once a month to show their best pieces to the public.
