La Boqueria / Markets, Barcelona

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Well, the Boqueria market needs to introduction, everyone who visited it will take this amazing experience with him, but after visiting the market at least three times over the last 5 years, I can tell you that from each visit I've learned something new and exciting about the market - a new kind of sweet, the best place to buy ham, a new vendor of farm cheeses and alike.

As I'm registered to news and alerts from Google about the market (yes, I love it that much), I've learned there is a new theme of food tours that focus entirely on the Boqueria Market, and you can tailor your own kind of tour by taste, day ,theme or kind of people that making the tour with you. So I think that could be a great way to experience that market like a local and not another tourist

This is the site, and although I haven't did any of these tours, it seems inviting and offering:
www.boqueriabites.com

What to buy: In the Boqueria? Anything!!!

What to pay: You can have a glass of juice for 1 Euro

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The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (La Boqueria) is a large public market conveniently located right off of the famous La Rambla where vendors sell every imaginable, colorful and fragrant type of goods. The mercat dates back from 1217 but was not officially recognized until 1826, the construction of the mercat began later and was finished in 1840. This extremely popular market is always filled with travelers and locals and has something for everyone, especially foodies and photographers. The mercat has some of the freshest fruit, vegetables and seafood sold in Barcelona. The mercat also houses many eateries such as the famous Pinotxo Bar serving delicious meals- navajas, bocadillos, and chilled cava. Don't miss out on the fresh fruit stands with the vast display of freshly blended juices. The coconut/dragonfruit juice is my favorite, so refreshing and delicious after a long day of sightseeing!

What to buy: Fruit Juices, Fruit, Vegetables, Various Meats, Crepes, Tapas, Fudge, Catalan Chocolate, Etc.

What to pay: Varies from stall to stall... I went around closing time and purchased 4 fruit juices for 1 euro (They are usually 1-3 euros each!) as well as 2 (huge) fruit bowls for 3 euros. Try to visit in the evening to score some good deals on delicious food.

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One of the oldest and largest markets in Spain, first recorded in the beginning of the 13th century, is a true horn of plenty.
The stalls of the market are full of fruits, vegetables, meat (all kinds of), different sort of fish and shells from all over the world, nuts, candies and chocolates.
Anyway what I remember is an interesting Art Nouveau construction, hardly see between the crowds... and a dead bug lying dead under a fruit stall.
It probably ate too much a night before :(

What to buy: Buy mixed fruit or a fresh fruit juice to enjoy as you explore it!

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Always looking for something to take home to remind me of my travels. So when Zohara and I happened to wander into the Placa Reial and found an entire plaza filled with traders/vendors of stamps and coins it was wonderful. Asked and was told that they display there every weekend. If you are looking for a unique way to remember your trip, at least if you are a collector of stamps (yes, like me ;o)), then this is the best.
Located just a few meters off the main street of Rambla in the Barri Gotic district it is easy to find.

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When we travel one of the things we enjoy doing is learning about and eating the local foods. What, where and how a nation eats can let you share more about who they are. One of the things we thoroughly enjoyed was walking through the markets, like the Santa Caterina in the Barri Gotic district. Just seeing how neat and clean all the products were laid out for inspection, and of course WHAT was there was great. Also sometimes you find things that surprise you for one reason or another, here in the Santa Caterina Market the price of shrimp was only 10 Euro per kilo, while at home for us it is more than 3 times that....wish we had a pot to cook them in at our hotel...

What to buy: There are a number of small restaurants which are around the outside of the market and we saw some very appetizing items.
Also the variety of salted pork legs are amazing, try them all if you can. If I lived in Europe I would take a leg home in my luggage ^O^

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El Mercat de la Boqueria has the reputation of being one of the best fresh food markets in Europe and it's really incredible to walk among the stalls watching the huge variation of food, sweets and beverages.

Absolutely worth a visit, and very easy to find as the market is located half way up the main street, Las Ramblas.

The Mercat St. Josep has been here since 1836, it is a covered Catalan market that is always bustling with tourists and locals alike as they wander among the colourful, neatly stacked stalls of fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

Monday to Staurday: 8:00 am to 8:30 pm

September 2005

What to buy: Any fresh produce

Organic- right at the back of the Market on the right hand side.
Mediteranean and multicultural cuisine.
Salad buffet. fresh homemade bread every day.
pizzas, hot dishes, combos, ovalacto and vegan.
Daily homemade deserts.
All organic products used, micro filtered water and lots of love.

There was a lady serving, she was very flamboyant with a turban on it was dressed in jewels, worth going just to see her at work.

What to buy: We had Paella, salad and homemade pitta bread with a burger and melted cheese in side heated up.It was lovely really tasty.

What to pay: 10 euro's each portion, well worth it!

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I always like to visit public markets in every city I go so I couldn’t miss the famous Boqueria, a colorful market that attracts locals and tourists (you can notice the difference because the tourists hold their camera and the locals stuff they buy here). In any case, it isn’t just a market because you can wander around and enjoy the colors of the exotic fruits and the smells of so many things, it is ideal for people-watching (check how they attract customers) and of course for shopping.

The market is divided into different sections like Pork Products and Meats, Dried Fruits, Fruits and Vegatables, Seafood, Seeds and Cereals, Olived, Fishes etc We bought all our fruits here and I liked that there are some tapa bars where you can sit and eat something or just enjoy a fresh orange juice.

The origins of the market go back at 13th century when it was an open-air market in front of one of the gates of the old city wall (plaza de la Boqueria). It was only in 1826 when the state officially recognized the market and created an official market The metal roof was set in 1914. The position of the market (in the middle of the Ramblas) makes it the most popular in Barcelona among visitors, tourists and locals.

It is open daily 8.00-20:00

We learned that in 1914 the market with the metal roof was inaugurated. From here it began to modernise and to improve. Especially the metal roof had our attention and is great to have some detailed views at it. But we also kept on walking to this huge central courtyard where vendors had displayed their fruit and vegetables in amazingly colourful pyramids. In the side-galleries we saw stands with local wine (cava), fresh meat, all sorts of candies, leather bags, milk products, et cetera. In the back of the building there was quite a large entrance with only stands of fish, maybe some kind of a fish market. We were impressed by it and saw a lot of native fish, prawns and other fish we didn't recognised. Of course many of them were still alive -> Talking about fresh!

It's quite a typical place as we found fresh food, accessories, but above all, a burst of colours, people, voices, light, noices, aromas and characters straight out of a storybook. We visited this market twice. Once to admire the roofing of the building out of 1914 itself and the second time to actually visit the market inside. Relinde did buy some fresh fish for our paella and was able to hagle a few Euro cents off the price. Later on I even got some candies for the kids for free! We simply loved this colourful place full of life.

What to buy: You can buy any of the city's specialties on food and drinks.

What to pay: That's up to yourself. Do toggle off!