Colours, flavours, aromas… La Boqueria market is probably the most famous food market in Barcelona is a truly paradise for your senses, and one of the most famous Barcelona attractions! Just right at the entrance of this Barcelona market you can already feel the vibrant rhythm that makes this market so unique.
La Boqueria Market, also known as Mercat de Sant Josep, is among the most famous food markets in the world. It was created in 1840 and has an area of 2583 m2. And as of today it has more than 300 stores, which includes a wide range of local and exotic food. It is the biggest market in Catalonia, and the most visited from tourists around the world.
People not only visit the market to buy food, they also get the chance to be truly absorbed by how the products are piled in the store: perfectly placed to offer what we could call a visual show. And you can’t help but stop and staring at it! La Boqueria not only offers local food but it also shows the most varied and exotic products from around the world.
Besides the beauty of this market reflected in terms of pure food distribution and design, one of the other aspects that will call your attention is the contrast in its frequent visitors. This market offers a curious mix of local people doing their daily shopping, and tourists visiting the market for the first time.
Because despite the many tourists staring at the stores in each corner, we have another segment of people which are always there too: local old people which have been used to buy food in this market since its creation.
After watching the show and enjoy the flavors, you can stop by some of the bars which are located at the end of the market. We highly recommend you to sit and enjoy some tasty tapas to get the perfect cultural immersion.
Boqueria meaning
But, what does boqueria mean exactly? In search of the boqueria meaning, we found diverse theories about the origin of this name. One of them says that boqueria means “butcher shop” or a table where to cut the meat. Also there is another one that says that boqueria comes from the word bocabat (amazed). That was the reaction of people when they looked at a beautiful door which Ramon Berenguer IV brought to Barcelona from Murcia after conquering that territory. They were amazed when they look at that door turned into the Santa Eulàlia entrance door.
So the Boqueria meaning it is not clear nowadays, since there are different theories about its origins.
La Boqueria opening hours
Before visiting, check La Boqueria opening hours. You can visit La Boqueria Barcelona from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8.30pm.
We highly recommend you to visit la Boqueria early in the morning, since it is less concurred and you will get to know the truly essence of this market. Stores full with the most diverse food and also food to cook the most traditional Catalan dishes.
How to arrive to la Boqueria
The fastest way to arrive is taking the metro L3 (green line) to the stop “Liceu”. Once you get out of the metro station, you already will be able to see the entrance of the market on the right side of La Rambla.
Tp sum up, we would say: Don’t forget to include the most famous food market in Barcelona, la Boqueria, in you “Things to do in Barcelona” list. Also we highly recommend you to visit other beautiful farmers markets in the city.
