The best way to experience the city is on foot and getting lost in the numerous markets in Barcelona, taking time to notice the details, the gastronomy and Catalan culture. You will find from old flea markets to colourfull food markets or picturesque antique markets.
Mercat de la Boquería
Open from 8am-8pm Mon-Sat
One of the most famous food markets in Barcelona is located on La Rambla. Freshness reigns supreme and shoppers are spoiled for choice, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from vegetable to first quality beef and typical Spanish cheeses. The city´s seaside status is in full evidence at the fish stalls.
Mercat de Santa Caterina
Open 7:30am-2pm Mon, 7:30am-3:30pm Tue, Wed, & Sat, 7:30am-8:30pm Thu & Fri
Each neighborhood or Barri has its own food market with tempting displays but this one boast a spectacular setting. The building was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. The market is located close to the Cathedral and surrounded by a great range of restaurant and tapas-bar.
Fira Artesana
Open 10am-10pm first and third Fri, Sat & Sun of the month
The Plaza del Pi brims with natural and organic foods during the Fira Artesana, when artisanal food producers bring their goods to this corner of the Barri Gotic. The market specialized in homemade cheeses and honey from clear clover honey from the Pyrenees to nutty concoctions from Morella.
Mercat de Barceloneta
Open 7am-3pm Mon-Thu & Sat, 7am-8pm Fri
The striking Barceloneta market overlook an expansive square in this old fisherman neighborhood close the beach. In addition to colorful produce stalls, there is a very good recommended restaurant, Els Fogons de la Barceloneta.
Fira de Santa Llúcia
Open 1st-23th Dec: 10am-8pm daily
The Christmas market where local artisans set up shops outside the Cathedral for the annual Christmas fair. Well worth a visit, if only to peruse the row upon row of caganers, miniature figures squatting to take a poop. This unique Catalan figures are usually hidden at the back of nativity scenes.
Book and Coin market at Mercat de Sant Antoni
Open 8am-3pm Sun
For book lovers, there is no better place to spend Sunday mornings than browsing at this market south of Mercat de la Boqueria. The visitant will find a mind boggling assortment of weathered paperbacks, ancient tomes, stacks of old magazines, comics, postcards and lots more, from coins to video games.
Mercat del Art de la plaza de Sant Josep Oriol
Open 11am-8:30pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun
At weekends, local art its flock to this square located at Gothic Quarter to set up their easels and sell their art. The visitors will find a range including watercolors of Catalan landscapes to oil paintings of churches and castles in one of the most interesting art markets in Barcelona.
Els Encants Flea Market
The best flea market of Barcelona, Els Encants, east of the city, dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest flea market in Europe. Here buyers will find everything from second-hand clothes, electrical appliances and toys to home-made pottery and used books. Discerning shoppers can fit out an entire kitchen from an array of pots and pans. Bargain-hunters should come early in the morning.
Mercat dels Antiquaris
Open 10am-9pm Thu (except Aug)
Antiques collectors and amateur contentedly rummage through jewelry, watches, candelabras, embroidery and bric-a-brac at this long running antiques market in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Images | W. Commons
Sources | Dave Meler
VV. AA,Top10 Barcelona, 2017 Barcelona
