What to do · Barcelona
Mercat de la Boqueria, first thing in the morning
Information
- Price
- Free entry
- Duration
- 1 h
- Season
- Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 20:30; closed on Sundays except for occasional dates in December and January
- Who it's for
- All ages; with a trolley, best first thing
You enter from La Rambla through the great iron arch and let yourself be drawn towards the back, where the fish and meat are. You make a full circuit of the aisles, buy what you are going to cook that day and end up at the counter of one of the stalls with a coffee or a plate of whatever came into the market that morning. You leave with a full bag and the fridge sorted for the weekend.
Before ten, with your shopping done
La Boqueria is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:30 and closed on Sunday; the City Council announces occasional Sunday openings in December and January separately. Go early: at eight the aisles are clear and you shop without hurry. By mid-morning on Saturday it fills up and moving forward with a trolley is hard. Late in the afternoon some stalls have already packed up, because each has its own hours within the general ones.
A neighbourhood market in the middle of La Rambla
It is a municipal facility in the Raval, at La Rambla, 89. It is already mentioned in the 13th century, and the present building, from the 19th, stands on the site of the old convent of Sant Josep: that is why its official name is Mercat de Sant Josep. It has an information point Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 15:00, a cooking classroom and online shopping with home delivery.
You get there by metro to Liceu (L3), two minutes' walk along La Rambla. From Catalunya (L1 and L3) you walk down in about five minutes.
Tips
- Ask before ordering at the counter Many counters serve what they have that day: ask what has come in.
- Bring your own bag If you are going to shop for several days, a trolley or a big bag is better.
Frequently asked questions
Is La Boqueria open on Sundays?
No, except for a few Sundays in December and January announced by the City Council.
Do I have to pay to go in?
No, entry is free.
What is the best time to go?
From 8:00 to 10:00, on a weekday or Saturday, before it fills up.
As a familyWith teenagersWith friends
