Boqueria Market (Sao Josep) in Barcelona: opening hours, how to get there

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The noisy and vibrant tourist life of Barcelona would be incomplete if it were not for the Boquería market, located on one of the main attractions of Spain, the 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 for which Spain is famous - Barcelona owes its extraordinary atmosphere to some extent to the Boquería market. Here you can see a lot of amazing things and appreciate the indescribable Spanish flavor of the locals.

History of the Boqueria market

The Boqueria market received its unofficial birth back in 1237. At that time, the territory on which it is now located was located outside the city. It was used by local farmers to sell fresh meat, fruits and vegetables. Soon live pigs were also sold here. Trade was conducted in an open area, not fenced in anything, so farmers who wanted to earn money from all nearby settlements freely gathered here. Until 1800, the existing stalls were called the "straw market".

All this time the square belonged to itself, there was no talk about the arrangement. Only in 1826 this place came under the control of the government, and it was officially recognized as a trading area. About 10 years later, the market in Barcelona, under the direction of the architect Mas Vila, began to be turned into a wide covered pavilion. Construction continued for several years, and the official opening of the mall took place in 1853. Its second name - San Josep - the market received due to the fact that the first stone in its foundation was laid on the day of St. Joseph. By 1911, the square was replenished with a new fish market, and by 1914 the building was completed with gas equipment and a new metal roof, which still exists today.

Modern Boqueria

You can enter Boqueria through the Ramblas - the epicenter of urban life not only in Barcelona, but throughout Catalonia. Since 1914, the premises of the market have been significantly improved in terms of sanitary standards for trade and the aesthetic component. São Josep is now considered the best urban market in the world.

Variety of food is located on 300 counters in the territory of a single huge pavilion with an area of more than 2,500 square meters. This is where third and fourth generation merchants work to preserve and continue the history of pristine Barcelona.

The passage of time has led to the fact that the city itself and the Boquería market in particular are now more focused on tourists. However, for the Catalans, it is always associated withfestive fuss, old customs and family traditions. Therefore, along with tourists who want to see all the sights, locals live here, eager to experience the unbreakable connection between the past and the 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 lined up 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 ones. It will be interesting to visit the back door for a tourist - it will lead to an atmospheric narrow street, along which you can leisurely stroll, eating another culinary masterpiece purchased in a food paradise.

Side exits on the right hand side lead to several shops offering excellent Spanish wines.

Bokeria is a real treasure for gourmets

The richness of the assortment on the shelves is amazing. Here, fresh fruits and vegetables coexist with the rarest spices, freshly caught marine life is located not far from fresh meat and offal, and any sweet tooth will run out of eyes from a variety of cakes and chocolate.

For trade, not only local products are importedfarms, but also an impressive assortment of exotics. In winter, you can see large ripe strawberries or a delicious mango on the counter, but the Catalans themselves prefer to pamper themselves with seasonal products. In the multi-ethnic crowd that rages in the pavilion night and day, you can meet both tourists looking for entertainment in the busiest place in Barcelona, and locals who are seriously concerned about finding fresh, quality products.

What can you find on the shelves of San Josep?

You can buy almost any food here:

• Fresh exotic fruits and berries, from which they will offer to make freshly squeezed juice or assorted before your eyes.
• Homemade greens and vegetables.
• Nuts and dried fruits.
• Various types of meat that are carefully butchered in front of you.
• Fragrant smoked sausages and jamon.
• Spiced cheeses, homemade dairy products, milkshakes.
• Olives and pickles.
• Rare spices and spices.

• An abundance of sweets, ranging from candied pieces of fruit to chocolate of various shapes and shades.
• Freshly baked fragrant bread.
• Wine for every taste and budget - the cost of a bottle is from 10 to 500 euros.
• Fish and seafood worthy of special mention.

Kings of the Boqueria market - seafood sellers

The market in Barcelona fully justifies the country's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea - the heart of the pavilion is occupied by fish rows. The entire underwater world can be observed oncounters covered with slides of small ice. Octopus and cuttlefish, monkfish and tuna, scallops and mussels, shrimp, sea urchins and oysters are all caught just a couple of hours ago, some of them are still moving.

Paella is very popular among the Catalans - a rice dish with the addition of mussels, shrimp and squid. There are restaurants on the territory of the market where you can taste not only paella, but also freshly caught fish cooked according to a secret Catalan recipe.

Tricks noticed by tourists

Helpful tips compiled from the experience of travelers will help you make the most of your time in the market. Here are the main ones:

• It is better to start bypassing the trading area in the morning, starting at half past nine. At this time, the pavilion is almost empty, there are no tourists, and you can observe what products the locals prefer to take. Here you can also have a pleasant breakfast with pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
• Assorted fruits, fresh juices, smoothies and nuts are cheaper in the back of the market than at the entrance.
• Here they love bargaining, 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 love to chat - if you are friendly, you will probably find out the secret of some interesting dish. If you plan to visit the Boqueria market regularly, buy from the same sellers - forregular customers they make a good discount.
• You can take pictures, but be careful - some merchants are already used to annoying tourists, some jokingly offer to take a picture for 1 euro, and some are seriously annoyed when they see a camera lens aimed at them.

Where to eat in the market?

Getting to know the highlight of Barcelona, though fascinating, but very exhausting process. Those wishing to relax and gain strength for new experiences in the territory of Boqueria are recommended to visit several small bars offering local delicacies and soft drinks.

Perhaps the most common and favorite among travelers is Bar Pinotxo. The benevolent 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 starters, delicious fresh seafood, flavorful baked sausages and cold salads.

Great, still warm, crispy baguette is served with the main course. For dessert, it is recommended to order the most delicate donuts in sugar, melting in your mouth. The bar is open from 6 am to 3 pm.

Location, opening hours, how to get there

The address of the market is Spain, Barcelona, La Rambla Boulevard, 91. You can get there by metro on the green line, reaching the Liceu station, but it will be much more interesting to take a leisurely stroll along the boulevard, watching the game of street actors.

The above boulevard is the mostthe center of Barcelona, and the Boquería market is very well located on it for tourists. Opening hours - from 8:00 to 20:30, the pavilion is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday.