The outdoor markets in Barcelona are a great place to get a feel for the culture. The sights, sounds, tastes, and personal interactions are all on full display at the markets. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has it’s own market and cruising from market to market is a cool way to spend your day and fill your belly.

Our favorite is one right off of La Rambla called Mercant Sant Joseph/La Boqueria. The energy is invigorating as you walk through the archway and into the maze of vendors where you are met with vibrant fruits and vegetables, chocolates, ice cream, nuts and dried fruits, fish, meat, smoothies, and a couple of great lunch spots. If you like to cook and have the means to do so when you’re in Barcelona than I would suggest exploring the market and picking out some ingredients for a home cooked meal. Or you can go to the Kiosko Universal where you’ll be served a three-course meal for about 12 euros. This is a must do when you’re in Barcelona. It’s the best place to eat lunch in Barcelona. Not only are you in the vibrant, energetic environment of the market, where the people watching and mingling is topnotch you’ll also eat some great food. As in most restaurants in Spain, you have to be aggressive if you want to get a spot on the counter or one of the few tables. It can get crowded, so step up to the mice and let one of the cooks know how many seats you need. Getting your seat is just the start of the fun. From there you have about 5-10 starters to choose from. I would suggest the mix vegetables. Then your second course, which I suggest going with the steak and finally some postre which ranges from Flan to pineapple slices. Be ready to shout out your order and don’t be shy when getting the cooks attention.

The interaction between the locals and the cooks is priceless and if you’re confident with in your Catalan and know a thing or two then I would suggest hopping into one of the heated but friendly discussions about futbol than seem to always be going on when we were there.

I guarantee you’ll leave the Kiosko Universal full and entertained. For some other markets to visit check out the following:

Mercat Sant Josep/La Boquería:
La Rambla, 89
Ciutat Vella
El Raval
08002
Barcelona
Tel. 93 318 25 84
Fax. 93 301 25 90
www.boqueria.info/Eng/index.php
Open Monday to Saturday 8am – 8.30pm

Mercat Sant Antoni:
C Comte d'Urgell, 1
Eixample
Sant Antoni
08011
Barcelona
Tel. 93 423 42 87
Fax. 93 454 57 46
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 7am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm Friday 7am to 8.30pm. Antique booksale on Sundays.

Mercat de la Llibertat:
Pl Llibertat, 27
Gràcia
08012
Barcelona
Tel. 93 217 09 95 Open Monday from 7am to 2pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm
Friday from 7am to 8pm
Saturday from 7am to 3pm

Mercat de l’Abacería Central:
Travessera de Gràcia, 186
Gràcia
08012
Barcelona
Tel. 93 213 62 86 Open from Monday to Thursday 7am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Friday from 6am to 3pm and from 5pm to 8.30pm
Saturday from 6am to 3pm and from 5pm to 8.00pm