Tarragona Shopping

On this huge central courtyard 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 building out of 1915 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!

We can honestly state that if you are looking to buy fresh food in a picturesque setting, be sure to visit Tarragona's Mercat Central. Once we entered it we witnessed that here, the stand owners still engage in the direct and personalised sale of day-to-day products. We immediately saw this huge central courtyard with little (wooden) shops/stalls and the hive of activity and the atmosphere was a riot of colours.

We did walk around for almost an hour and we smelled (and almost could taste) the aromas from the various exotic flowers, fruit and vegetables, willow works, fish and other local Catalonian products. We noticed that some of the stalls were already closed and we learned that they were sold out for the day, so they did well! Some of the vendors were in traditional costumes, which again added to the vibrancy of this magical place.

What to buy: You can buy any of the city's specialties.

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

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Trade has been the most important sector in Tarragona since the city was founded. In recent years, retailers have been an engine of growth for the city, especially the local offer. Along the length of the Rambla Nova most of the traditional businesses are clustered. And if you really like souvenir shopping, many of the little shops are hidden away in various arcades dotted around the old city. Don't, however, expect any large shops or chain-stores. Tarragona is not quite like that: it has more character. Part of this character is Marcet Central near the Rambla Nova, where you can buy any of the city's specialties.

The main market, Mercat Central, is housed in an important Moderist building made by Josep M. Pujol in 1915. Before we entered it we decided to have a drink at the square in front of it, Plaça Corsine. So we could enjoy our view at this beautiful building with a nice cold beer.

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!

parc central is a large shopping centre with a supermarket (eroski) . the complex has shopping outlets ,like h&m, zara, mango and the body shop. and a lot cheaper than in the uk. there is also a cinema and various food outlets . each one with a different food theme... the supermarket is vast and you can by almost anything you need its a good day out for those who just have to shop.