Best markets in Barcelona

Mercat Santa Caterina

Mercat Santa Caterina (Market Holy Catherine) is the latest market built in Barcelona. Totally renovated in 2005 with brilliance by the architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT, is a little marvel located in the district of Ribera in Ciutat Vella. Beautiful architectural idea for this multicoloured ceramics roof having the shape of wave posed on an air structure of wood, which shelters all the stalls of the market. One finds there all the products of the producers of the area: fruits, vegetables, flowers but also fish, meat, pork-butchery including one or two stalls dedicated to Jabugo ham and finally a small supermarket “Caprado”.

A very good Tapas bar is located contrary to the main entrance and a restaurant “Cuines Santa-Catarina” of which we appreciate particularly the chart, next to the entry. In brief, the place worth a walk for its architecture, for shopping or to lunch.

Barcelona's Mercat de Santa Caterina in figures and dates:

The Mercat de Santa Caterina was inaugurated in 1848, making it one of Barcelona's oldest markets.

It occupies an area of around 4,200 square meters and is home to around 60 stalls and traders, offering a wide variety of fresh food products. A wide range of food products can be found here, including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, cured meats, bakery and pastry products, as well as local and artisanal products.

The market building was renovated in 2005. One of its most distinctive features is its colorful wave-shaped roof, made of colorful ceramic tiles. It has become an emblematic element of Barcelona's modern architecture.

A video of Mercat Santa Caterina:

Not far from the Plaza de Catalunya, but hidden enough to be off the tourist trail, the Mercat del Ninot is a popular market for Catalans who do their daily shopping here. If you are visiting Casa Batlló or Casa Milà La Pedrera, you should know that you are only a 15 minute walk away from this picturesque, popular and local market, which is the opposite of the atmosphere of the Boqueria Market, the star of Barcelona's markets ;-).

The Ninot market in Barcelona: One of our favourite food markets!

The market is very large and offers no less than 48 food stalls and 33 non-food stalls such as men's and women's fashion shops, jewellery shops, book shops and even a haberdashery...

Unsurprisingly, it is absolutely fresh: vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and of course no less than eight charcuterie shops (including some very good Jabugo stands).

Our advice: To recover your strength, there are 12 tapas bars and restaurants, one of which we particularly like and recommend "El Ninot Cuina ".  

The name Mercat del Ninot in Barcelona has its originsin a historical event related to a statue of a child (in Catalan, "ninot"). In the 19th century, there was a sculpture of a child playing the flute in the park adjacent to the current market site. This statue was popular with the people of Barcelona and became a symbol of the neighbourhood. However, in 1931, a fire broke out in the park and almost completely destroyed the statue of the child. Because of the affection that people had for the sculpture, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood decided to name the market built on the site of the park "Mercat del Ninot". Thus, the market was named after the statue of the child that was lost in the fire.

Mercat del Ninot - Barcelona

The Mercat del Ninot has recently been renovated to modernise its facilities and improve the visitor experience. The renovation work began in 2009 and was completed in 2015. The architectural firms MAP Arquitectes and Mur Geganté Arquitectes, led by Josep Lluís Mateo, oversaw the transformation of the market while respecting the original architecture of the building, which dates back to 1892. The main objectives of the renovation were to reinforce the market's structure, modernise the electrical installations, redesign the interior spaces to optimise the use of the space and create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. The renovation work preserved the traditional character of the market while introducing contemporary elements.

Today, the Mercat del Ninot offers modern facilities, quality stalls and a variety of fresh produce in a renovated and attractive setting.

Our advice: To recover your strength, there are 12 tapas bars and restaurants, one of which we particularly like and recommend "EL Ninot Cuina".

Like Boqueria market but bigger and with almost no tourists...

With colourful stalls for food, fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood, the Mercat de Sant Antoni (St Anthony's Market) at the south-western end of the Raval is one of the largest markets in operation in Barcelona.

Mercat de Sant Antoni - Barcelona

"El Mercat de Sant Antoni" and "El Mercat dels Encants de Sant Antoni

It is actually two markets in the same building:

> El Mercat de Sant Antoni is the food market with no less than 95 stalls including 9 "xarcuteria" Here we like the Jabugo :-)

>> And under the same roof but under another name "El Mercat dels Encants de Sant Antoni" just as many stands but not food such as fashion shops for men and women, accessories, jewellery, 4 haberdasheries, shoes, stands for children's clothes... A whole world!

On Sundays from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, a book and coin market takes place all around the building. You will find old books, magazines, comics, postcards, records, coins, stamps but also second-hand clothes.

>>Information on this Sunday market here https://www.mercatdominicaldesantantoni.com/

Mercat de Sant Antoni - Barcelona

The steel structure of the building (1872-82) designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias is very spectacular. Its form is equally spectacular: an X-shaped building in an architectural style that combines modernist elements with neoclassical influences. Its main structure is made of wrought iron and glass, creating open and bright spaces inside the market. The exterior facades are adorned with elaborate architectural details, such as floral motifs, colourful ceramics and sculptural reliefs. Take the time to observe it!

The market was completely renovated from 2009 to 2018, a mammoth undertaking that was slowed down by the discovery of Roman remains. It is now a very modern market, with ideally calculated spaces for traffic and commerce.

A gourmet tip to finish: Stop by the "Casa Blanca Mercat de Sant Antoni" restaurant, perfect for tasting typical Catalan dishes at local prices!

The Encants market: The most famous flea market in Barcelona

Completely renovated in 2013, now set on a magnificent reflective roof, the Mercat dels Encants is the largest and best-known flea market in Barcelona.

Mind you, it really is a flea market in the sense of a flea market with the best and the worst. For the worst, it's from rusty bicycles to old cosmetics to adult videos...

For the best, there is beautiful furniture, clothes, vintage objects, books, real stands... In short, a joyful bric-a-brac that delights professional antique dealers as well as second-hand enthusiasts and informed bargain hunters.

A must-see place, just a 15-minute walk from the Sagrada Família, and here the entrance is free!

Saturday is the most visited day: avoid it if you are just going for a walk. On the other hand, come early if you are looking for bargains.

Be careful, many stalls close in August...

The particularity of this flea market of Barcelona, antiques auctions take place on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 07:00 to 09:00, when all the dealers are there. Then again at 12:00 for the unsold items that go for a knock-down price. See also the furniture in the main hall. The market continues "normally" in the afternoon but many vendors prefer to close.

A long history of over 800 years and a beautiful renovation in 2013

The Mercat dels Encants, also known as the Mercat Fira de Bellcaire, has existed for more than 800 years, making it one of the oldest markets in Europe. It was first mentioned in 1300 and was mainly a barter market where people exchanged their goods. Over the centuries, the market was moved several times to different parts of Barcelona. It was finally relocated to its current location near the Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes in 1928.

In 2013, the Mercat dels Encants was completely renovated by the British architect b720 Fermín Vázquez in collaboration with the engineering company RCR Arquitectes and a brand new modern building was inaugurated. The new diamond-shaped building has a reflective roof that offers panoramic views of the city from its terrace.

The Encants also hosts cultural events, exhibitions, concerts and artistic activities. It is a dynamic space that encourages interaction between visitors and traders!

Finally, you can have lunch there, with many bars and street food stands and their terraces welcoming you on site!

The Boqueria Market, one of the oldest markets in Barcelona, is no longer in the news, its name being mentioned as early as 1217. Criticized by some for being too crowded, adulated by others for the quality of its products and its small bars. It remains a must on Las Ramblas, a stone's throw from the Liceu and the Plaça de Catalunya.

The entrance porch, with its Art Nouveau stained glass window, is already an invitation to a gourmet journey. A dream that becomes reality in front of all the colourful stalls presented with great care by the many shopkeepers proud of their stands.

A visit to Boqueria Market in video:

What can you find in La Boqueria? 

You can find everything in La Boqueria: fish, meat, sausages, spices, cheese, vegetables, fruit and fruit juices, pastries, flowers... Fresh and local products that appeal to restaurateurs and locals alike. Many Catalans come here to do their daily shopping. Even more people come to have breakfast or lunch because there are many restaurants, cafés, and tapas bars that have been established in La Boqueria for a long time (a dozen bars for example).

>> In total, La Boqueria has more than 300 stands. With its surface area of 2583 m², it is the largest market in Catalonia.

Tip: If you're travelling light, we suggest you simply buy some chillies, Jabugo, chorizo and a few pieces of cheese before you leave.

If you are hungry, take a break at El Quim bar, our favourite tapas bar.

What does Boqueria mean?

Boqueria (also known as La Boqueria) is the term for this market whose official name is "Mercat de Sant Josep". The name "Boqueria" is derived from the Catalan word "boc", which means "goat", and refers to the area where the market was originally established in the 13th century as a place for goat traders.

The history of the Boqueria market

The first mention of La Boqueria market in Barcelona dates from 1217, when tables were set up near the old city gate to sell meat. From December 1470 onwards, a market for the sale of pigs was held there. At that time, the market was called Mercat Bornet or (until 1794) simply known as Mercat de la Palla (Straw Market).

In the beginning, the market was not fenced in and had no official status; it was considered to be a simple extension of the Plaça Nova market, which then extended to the Plaça del Pi.
Later, the authorities decided to build a separate market on the Rambla, housing mainly fishmongers and butchers. It was not until 1826 that the market was legally recognised and a convention held in 1835 decided to build an official square.
Work began on 19 March 1840 under the direction of the architect Mas Vilà. The market was officially opened the same year, but the plans for the building were modified several times. The official inauguration of the structure finally took place in 1853. In 1911 the new fish market was opened and in 1914 the metal roof that still exists today was built.

>>> Do you have a sweet tooth? Find all the markets in Barcelona