La Boqueria Market, Barcelona

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While I was creating a list of places to visit in Barcelona for my trip a few weeks ago, the first name I added was ‘La Boqueria’. Just so I didn’t forget, I highlighted it three more times.

Arguably Europe’s best food market, La Boqueria (bo-care-ia) has been operative since the 13th century, and is located bang in the middle of Barcelona’s most crowded touristy boulevard – La Ramblas. It’s no secret that the Spaniards live to eat. And nowhere is this more evident than at this bustling market where the pickiest of locals head to buy quality produce.

The sight of the abundantly stocked shops at the market will send you in a tizzy.  At the entrance, you are greeted with colourful fruit stalls that sell fresh fruits and juices in perfect snack-size packs- ideal for your long walk around the market. A good idea would be to start at the extreme left, in Lane 1, and move methodically, spiralling the market, just so you cover all the shops.

The centre of the market is where all the action is. It’s where the fish mongers sit perched high up on their seats wearing rubber gloves and grasping a fillet knife. Surprisingly, this area was built much later than the rest of the market – only in 1911! Here, I found the most incredible variety of extremely fresh seafood I have ever seen (view slideshow!).

All in all, the sweet smell of fruits and freshly squeezed juices, heady spices, the robust and salty smell of cured meats, the cacophonic voice of fishmongers screaming away in Catalan, the loud laughter of butchers, the camera-clutching tourists and the helpful advice of locals on selecting olives, unknown live creatures and uncensored animal body parts, all add to the magic that is La Boqueria Mercat.

When you do get to La Boqueria Market, keep in mind that:

• The stuff at the front of the market is usually more expensive than the back of the market – so don’t get excited by what you see first.
• The open air fresh produce market usually has the ripest fruits and vegetables that are also a lot cheaper. However, buy those only if you’re going to consume them quickly. I got greedy and bought 2 kilos of peaches for just €1.50 and had to finish them as a late night snack in my hotel room. Not too big of a problem though, since they were the sweetest, juiciest peaches I’ve ever eaten.
• Get there early to avoid the mad rush of tourists.
• Again, get there early. The seafood market shuts by afternoon, and it isn’t half as charming as it is in the morning with the locals buying their staples.
• Carry your own bags. All the seasoned shoppers have their trolley bag. Amateurs like me juggled half a dozen plastic bags.
• The seafood market area is pretty on the eyes, but not on the floor, so wear appropriate footwear.
• If you’re going in any month other than August, you could sign up for their cooking class! (Check their website for details). Too bad, I couldn’t, but I did attend a cooking class where I learned how to make paella, tapas and sangria.
• A leisurely walk around La Boqueria market can be pencilled in for a morning, after which, a fun option would be to pack yourself a picnic basket and head to one of the many parks around Barcelona (that’s what we did).
• Things I brought back home: paella spice mix (SO touristy, yes?), Chimmichuri spice mix, local sea salt, Jamon Iberico, Spanish lavender, a new, rather weird-looking variety of strawberries, paella pan.

Note to self: next time, rent an apartment to cook all the gorgeous fresh produce.

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