From the colorful stalls at the Boqueria market to the best flea markets and trendy vintage markets. Whether it’s for delicious food, fun clothing, or interesting art pieces, a visit to the market in Barcelona is an absolute must! This way, you quickly connect with the locals, support the local economy, and experience the city of Barcelona from a completely different perspective.
Food Markets in Barcelona
For fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, deli meats, nuts, and spices, the local mercat (market) is the place to go. The food markets in Barcelona open daily and are housed under large market halls, keeping it always dry and pleasantly cool in the summer.
Especially if you love food and Spanish cuisine, visiting one of the 39 food markets in Barcelona is almost a must. The great thing about this is that you can see how the locals do their daily shopping and you get the chance to get acquainted with the local cuisine. Moreover, most markets have a bar or restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat.
My tip is to not just visit the famous Boqueria market, but to explore one of the many other markets for a genuine local experience. Below, I have selected some of the most special markets in the Catalan capital.
Mercat de la Boqueria
The Mercat de la Boqueria has become an icon when thinking of a Spanish market. The building, dating back to 1914, attracts hundreds of visitors daily.
At this market, located on Las Ramblas, you’ll find stalls with the tastiest snacks and the most colorful fruit. While the locals do their shopping, tourists take pictures of all the fresh and colorful products. You can also find very handy ready-made boxes with fruits and juices. Ideal for a healthy snack.
- Address: La Rambla, 91
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm
- Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, and L7), Liceu (L3)
Mercat de Sant Antoni
Built in 1872-1882 by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias, Mercat de Sant Antoni is the largest market in the city. The design of this market hall is based on a Greek cross. The red bricks and the tower in the middle of the cross are the hallmarks of the Mercat de Sant Antoni. In addition to food, this market hall also has space for clothing and books. The market, which initially was an open-air market, was originally built here because the city walls stood here, and it was a busy area. The Mercat de Sant Antoni is actually the first market hall built outside the city walls of Barcelona.
- Address: Carrer del Comte d’Urgell, 1
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- Metro: Sant Antoni (L2) Sant Antoni – Eixample, Barcelona
Mercat de Santa Caterina
Following its renovation in 2005, the Mercat de Santa Caterina became one of the trendiest market halls in Barcelona and a major attraction of the city. The market’s new facade and colorful, wavy roof, designed by the architect duo Enric Miralles – Benedetta Tagliabue, are photographed daily by hundreds of tourists.
The first Mercat de Santa Caterina dates back to 1845. The name Santa Caterina originates from the nunnery that once stood here. A visit to the restaurant Cuines de Santa Caterina is highly recommended.
- Address: Av. de Francesc Cambó, 16
- Opening hours: Monday from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Thursday and Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
- Metro: Jaume I (L4)
Mercat de la Concepció
Wedged between two buildings, the Mercat de la Concepció stands, initially built in the brand-new luxury district of l’Eixample. The Mercat de la Concepció, designed in 1888 by the same architect as the Mercat de Sant Antoni, now houses a large supermarket and stores for flowers and electronics.
- Address: Carrer d’Aragó, 317
- Opening hours: Monday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. From Tuesday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Metro: Girona (L4), Verdaguer (L4 and L5)
Mercat del Ninot
Before the opening of Mercat del Ninot, the market was known as Mercat del Porvenir. In 1982, a doll, El Ninot, was moved from a very popular nearby café to the market. The ‘ninot’ was originally retrieved from a shipwreck and became the namesake of the new market. Today, the original doll is displayed in the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, but a replica can still be found in Mercat del Ninot.
- Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 133
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Metro: Hospital Clínic (L5)
Mercat de Sants
The Mercat de Sants, like many other markets in Barcelona, started as an open-air market. The market began at this location because it was situated on one of the roads connecting the village of Sants with Barcelona. When visiting Mercat de Sants, pay special attention to the front facade. This facade of the market hall, designed by architect Pere Falqués i Urpí, is very impressive.
- Address: Carrer de Sant Jordi, 6
- Opening hours: Monday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Wednesday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Saturday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Metro: Mercat Nou (L1), Plaça de Sants (L1 and L5)
Mercat de l’Abaceria Central
The Mercat de l’Abaceria Central was built in 1892 in Gràcia, which at the time was a village near Barcelona. It was where farmers from the region sold their products. The market was constructed by Puigmartí (an important businessman and owner of the Puigmartí and Vapor Nou factories).
Note: The Mercat de l’Abaceria Central has temporarily moved to Passeig de Sant Joan number 181, as a brand new market hall is currently being built at the original location.
- Address: Passeig de Sant Joan, 181
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM and from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Saturday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
- Metro: Fontana (L3), Joanic (L4)
Mercat de Sarrià
Designed by architects M. Coquillat and A. Calvet, the Mercat de Sarrià was built between 1900 and 1911 on the site of the vegetable garden of the parish of Sant Vincenç de Sarrià. This market has always been closely linked with Sarrià. Today, this impressive building, thanks to renovations, features a very modern interior.
- Address: Passeig de la Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 8
- Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Metro: Reina Elisenda (L6), Sarrià (L6)
Mercat de Galvany
Construction of the Mercat de Galvany began in 1868 but was not completed until 1927. It was built above the estate of Count Galvany. This market is considered one of the most beautiful in Barcelona. Take a look inside to see the high and impressive ceiling.
- Address: Carrer de Santaló, 65
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Friday and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
- Metro: Muntaner (L6)
Mercat de la Barceloneta
In addition to the old markets, Barcelona also has very modern markets, such as the Mercat de Fort Pienc, Mercat de Sant Gervasi, Mercat de les Corts, and the Mercat de la Barceloneta. In this case, the market of La Barceloneta is perhaps one of the most unique: built in 1884, it underwent a complete transformation between 2005 and 2007. The architect Josep Miàs won the Ciutat Barcelona 2007 award for this project. The result is a futuristic gray building that looks nothing like the other market halls in Barcelona from the outside.
- Address: Pl. del Poeta Boscà, 1
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Saturday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
Gastronomic Markets in Barcelona
Besides the aforementioned food markets where locals do their shopping, in Barcelona, you can also find various special markets selling delicious regional products and other delicacies. They are perfect for souvenirs, gifts, or for a special occasion.
- Regional products at Plaça del Pi: between October and May, every last Saturday and Sunday of the month (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM), the Fira de Productes Tradicionals Catalans is held at Plaça del Pi, where local regional products are sold.
- Farmers’ Market at Parc de les Tres Xemeneies: for those looking for the healthiest and most honest food, this weekly market at Parc de les Tres Xemeneies is the place to be. Every Saturday (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), farmers from the area around Barcelona sell their products here.
Flea Markets in Barcelona
For vintage lovers, the largest flea market in Barcelona, Encants Vells, is a great place to shop, but if you’re looking for trendy spots and the best vintage finds, the recurring vintage markets of Barcelona might be for you!
- Mercat dels Encants Vells: the largest and oldest flea market in Barcelona, also often called Fira del Bellcaire, is where you can buy new and second-hand items. From clothing and shoes to furniture, home goods, electronics, and records. Open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Originating from the 14th century, this flea market is still incredibly popular.
- Palo Alto Market: every first weekend of the month, this trendy market is held in an old factory in Poblenou, where you can find stalls with design and vintage items, as well as many food trucks, music performances, and a lively atmosphere.
- Lost & Found: this popular flea market is held four times a year, in the summer months by the sea at La Barceloneta, and in winter in the central hall of Estació de França train station.
- Flea Market: Flea Market is the organization behind the successful flea markets of El Raval ‘El Flea’ and ‘Fleadonia’. Every first and second Sunday of the month, you can find the coolest second-hand clothing here.
- On the Garage: every third weekend of the month, this flea market offers the best vintage and second-hand clothing.
Other Markets in Barcelona
- Flower Market on Las Ramblas: on the part of the Ramblas known as Rambla de les Flors, you can admire the famous florists of Las Ramblas, in what is known as the Mercat de les Flors. The flower kiosks are open daily from 09:00 to 21:00 (until 15:00 on Sunday).
- Mercat Encants de Sant Antoni: on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (09:30-20:30) you can visit the Mercat Encants at the Sant Antoni market for the traditional market of clothing and household products.
- Homemade Items Market on Las Ramblas: for fun little things, handmade jewelry, and original souvenirs, you can visit the Fira Nova Artesania, held from Friday to Sunday at the end of the Ramblas, Rambla de Santa Mònica (Friday and Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00).
- Mercat Dominical de Sant Antoni: next to the beautiful market hall of Sant Antoni, there is always a flea market on Sundays where new and old books, stamps, postcards, coins, and calendars are sold.
- Coin Market at Plaça Reial: every Sunday between 09:00 and 14:30, a market for coins and stamps is held in Plaça Reial with a handful of stalls for collectors.
- Art Market at Plaça Sant Josep Oriol: on Saturday (11:00-20:00) and Sunday (11:00-14:00), a fun art market is held next to the bohemian Plaça del Pi where local artists show their work.
- Antique Market at the Cathedral: the weekly Fira de Brocanters at Plaça Nova in front of the Barcelona Cathedral is a collection of antiques and curiosities. It is held on Thursday from 10:00 to 20:00 (daily in the summer, except August, when the market is closed).
- Vintage Toy Market at Plaça Masadas: every first Sunday of the month (10:00-14:00; closed in August), a market specializing in model trains, cars, boats, soldiers, dolls, and dollhouses is held at Plaça Masadas.
This was my list of fun markets in Barcelona. Are you missing a market or do you have a suggestion to add to this list? Then leave your comment in the comments!
