La Boqueria Market
Sant Josep Market, now known as La Boqueria Market, was once an open-air market that got covered and made into an indoor market back in 1914. It is located in the heart of La Rambla and is the most famous market in Barcelona. Open 8am-8:30pm Monday- Saturday, La Boqueria is a huge tourist attraction and a must-visit when in Barcelona.
Calling All Foodies
If you want to avoid the crowds, then get there early, as, by 11am, the market will start to get very busy with tourists wanting to eat lunch.
In this market, you will find an array of stands selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Vendors selling fresh fish, meats, and spices. Along with a mixture of on-the-go food vendors and Tapas bars.
To enjoy this market to the fullest, plan to stay a few hours here to get the chance to sample many different foods and beverages.
Arriving into Boqueria Market
Upon entering this market, you will see plenty of jamon, a dry-cured ham produced in Spain. This will likely be your first snack on your self-guided food tour. I picked up a cone at the entrance of jamon, cheese, and breadsticks for 4 euros.
You could probably find this cheaper the further you go in the market, but I was just too excited to start eating. This was a great starter to what was to come.
Walking around the market, you can smell all kinds of savoury and sweet aromas, hear the vendors call out to potential customers, and watch the tapas bars work on creating their dishes. The food choice is endless, and the atmosphere is unforgettable.
If you enjoy fresh fruit, then your options here are unlimited. Many vendors sell an array of chopped fresh fruit you can have raw or made into juice. I had some fresh watermelon but then tried a pina colada juice at a different stall. It was tasty and refreshing.
There are also Tapas bars where you can enjoy alcoholic beverages and tapas dishes. However, as the seating is limited, getting a seat at one of these is hard as it gets very busy. The best Tapas Bar in the La Boqueria Market is El Quim and for breakfast foods Pinotxo Bar. To avoid disappointment, you may have to go early, otherwise you will have to wait until a stool becomes available. In my case, I was so full by the time a seat became available, I could only manage a glass of the famous cava.
"Make sure to stop off and have a Cava, Its Barcelona's National drink"
Many people think Sangria is the national drink here, but it’s not. The National drink in Barcelona is Cava. Locals often drink it, and you can get this drink very cheaply in the city. The second most popular drink in Barcelona is Vermouth. So be sure to add these two drinks to your food tour to try.
After a quick drink break, I started back on the savoury snacks. The quesadillas were so cheesy and absolutely delicious, but it did make me completely full, which meant I had to get more fresh juice to wash it down. Plus, of course, another cheeky glass of Cava. But this time Cava was on the go in a paper cup while I continued around the market.
Being faced with cured meats, cheeses, olives, hot savoury snacks, tapas bars, fresh fruits, sweets, chocolates, and desserts. My eyes were definitely too big for my belly. I advise you to go on an empty stomach, as you will want to try everything. I could barely breathe after eating my way through the market as I was so full, but it was worth it.
Souvenir Shopping at La Boqueria Market
The market is great for picking up some souvenirs to bring home too. You can purchase drinks, seasoning, pink salt, sweets, chocolates, and more. I’m a sucker for novelty and could not resist buying one of the mini sangria bottles. They were so cute. I also bought myself a few things to use in the kitchen.
WHAT TO BRING
- An appetite
- Comfortable Shoes
- Cash or Card
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds
- Its closed on Sundays
- Open 8am-8:30pm Monday-Saturday
- Plan a few hours here
- Enjoy amazing food
Conclusion
I absolutely loved the La Boqueria market. It is a MUST VISIT on your trip to Barcelona. The food choices were endless and delicious. It was a true food haven for me. Plus, I got to bag bites on a budget. What I loved most was the fact you got to try loads of foods in small bites without having to buy big meals, which is perfect when travelling solo. The vendors take cash and card, which I found very useful.
Location
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Been to La Boqueria Market? Let me know what your favourite snack or eatery was in the comments
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