The bustling and vibrant tourist life of Barcelona would be incomplete if it were not for the Boqueria market, located on one of the main attractions of Spain, Ramblas. People from nearby cities come here to stock up on fresh fragrant products and discuss the latest news. For tourists, this is a real paradise, which is famous for Spain - Barcelona to some extent owes its Boqueria market to its unusual atmosphere. Here you can see a lot of amazing things and appreciate the indescribable Spanish flavor of local residents.
Boqueria Market History
The Boqueria market received its unofficial birth in 1237. At that time, the territory in which he is now located was located outside the city. It was used by local farmers to sell fresh meat, fruits and vegetables. Soon, live pigs began to be sold here. Trade was conducted on an open area, not fenced by anything, so farmers who wanted to earn money from all nearby settlements came here freely. Until 1800, the existing shopping arcade was called the "straw market."
All this time the square belonged to itself, no conversation about the arrangement was conducted. Only in 1826 this place came under the control of the government, and it was officially recognized as a trading area. After about 10 years, the market in Barcelona, led by architect Mas Vila, began to turn into a wide indoor pavilion. Construction continued for several years, and the official opening of the mall took place in 1853. Its second name - San Giuzep - the market received due to the fact that the first stone in its foundation was laid on St. Joseph. By 1911, the area was replenished with a new fish market, and by 1914 the building was equipped with gas equipment and a new metal roof, which exists to this day.
Modern Boqueria
You can enter Boqueria through the Ramblas, the epicenter of urban life not only in Barcelona, but throughout Catalonia. Since 1914, the market premises have been significantly improved with regard to sanitary standards of trade and aesthetic component. Now San Jusep is considered the best urban market in the world.
A variety of food is located on 300 counters in the territory of a single huge pavilion with an area of more than 2,500 sq. m. There are third and fourth generation merchants working here who want to preserve and continue the history of pristine Barcelona.
The passage of time has led to the fact that the city itself and the Boqueria market in particular are now more focused on tourists. However, for the Catalans, he is always associated with festive bustle, old customs and family traditions. Therefore, along with tourists who want to see all the sights, local residents live here, eager to feel the indestructible connection between the past and present of Barcelona.
Market structure
At the very central entrance to the pavilion there are counters with sweets, assorted exotic fruits and berries, nuts and dried fruits. It is very convenient to take with you a small bag of what you like best and eat it, bypassing the market. Counters with farm dairy products can be found a little further to the left of the entrance. Buffets with cakes and sweets are built along the far wall and will come across the entire perimeter of the pavilion.
The market building has several exits - the main entrance, the rear exit and several side. It will be interesting for a tourist to visit the back door - he will lead to an atmospheric narrow street where you can take a leisurely stroll, eating up another culinary masterpiece purchased in a food paradise.
The side exits on the right side go to several shops offering excellent Spanish wines.
Boqueria is a true gourmet treasure
The wealth of assortment on the shelves is amazing. Here, fresh fruits and vegetables are adjacent to the rarest spices, freshly caught sea inhabitants are located not far from fresh meat and offal, and any sweet tooth will scatter eyes from a variety of cakes and chocolate.
For trade, they import not only the products of local farms, but also an impressive assortment of exotics. In winter, on the counter you can see large ripe strawberries or an appetizing mango fruit, but the Catalans themselves prefer to indulge themselves with seasonal products. In the multinational crowd raging in the pavilion night and day, you can meet both tourists who are looking for entertainment in the noisiest place in Barcelona, and local residents who are seriously concerned about finding fresh, quality products.
What can be found on the shelves of San Giuzep?
Here you can buy almost any product:
- Fresh exotic fruits and berries, from which they will offer to make fresh juice or assorted fruits before your eyes.
- Homemade greens and vegetables.
- Nuts and dried fruits.
- A variety of types of meat that are carefully cut in your presence.
- Fragrant smoked sausages and jamon.
- Spicy cheeses, homemade dairy products, milkshakes.
- Olives and pickles.
- Rare spices and spices.
- An abundance of sweets, ranging from candied fruit slices to chocolate of various shapes and colors.
- Freshly baked aromatic bread.
- Wine for every taste and budget - the cost of a bottle is from 10 to 500 euros.
- Fish and seafood that deserve special attention.
Boqueria Market Kings - Seafood Sellers
The market in Barcelona fully justifies the country's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea - fish rows occupy the very heart of the pavilion. The entire underwater world can be observed on the shelves covered with slides of shallow ice. Octopuses and cuttlefish, monkfish and tuna, scallops and mussels, shrimps, sea urchins and oysters - they were all caught just a couple of hours ago, some of them still stir.
Paella is a very popular dish among Catalans - a rice dish with the addition of mussels, shrimp and squid. There are restaurants on the territory of the market where you can try not only paella, but also freshly caught fish prepared according to a secret Catalan recipe.
Tourist Tricks
Useful tips built from the experience of travelers will help you spend time in the market with benefit. Here are the main ones:
- It is better to start bypassing the retail space in the morning, starting at half past eight. At this time, the pavilion is almost empty, there are no tourists, and you can watch what products the locals prefer to take. Here you can also enjoy breakfast with pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
- Assorted fruits, freshly squeezed juices, cocktails and nuts in the back of the market are cheaper than at the entrance.
- They love bargaining here, but without fanaticism, but for the sake of pleasure - this is considered a sign of respect and attention. If you bargain, you can get a small discount, and you will definitely choose the best on the counter.
- Sellers like to chat - if you are friendly, you will surely learn the secret of some interesting dish. If you plan to regularly visit the Boqueria market, buy from the same sellers - for regular customers they make a good discount.
- You can take pictures, but carefully - some merchants are already used to annoying tourists, some translate as a joke, offering to take a picture for 1 euro, and some are seriously annoyed when they see the camera lens aimed at them.
Where to eat in the market?
Acquaintance with the highlight of Barcelona, though fascinating, but very exhausting process. Tourists in Boqueria are recommended to visit several small bars offering local specialties and cold drinks for those who wish to relax and gain strength for a new experience.
Perhaps the most common and favorite among travelers is Bar Pinotxo. The friendly and dedicated owner of the bar loves foreigners very much, he is ready to talk with everyone, sharing positive emotions. The bar offers classic Catalan cuisine, meat or fish snacks, delicious fresh seafood, fragrant baked sausages and cold salads.
Gorgeous, still warm crispy baguette is served at the hot. For dessert, it is recommended to order the most tender donuts in sugar, melting in your mouth. The bar is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location, opening hours, how to get
The market address is Spain, Barcelona, 91 La Rambla Boulevard. You can get on the metro on the green line, reaching Liceu station, but it will be much more interesting to slowly walk along the boulevard, watching the game of street actors.
The aforementioned boulevard is the very center of Barcelona, and the Boqueria market is very successful for tourists on it. Opening hours are from 8:00 to 20:30, the pavilion is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday.