The Boqueria (San Jouzep) market in Barcelona: opening hours, how to get there

The noisy and vibrant tourist life of Barcelona would be incomplete if it were not for the Boqueria market, located on one of the main attractions of Spain, the Ramblas Boulevard. Here come people from the nearest cities to stock up on fresh fragrant products and discuss the latest news. For tourists this is a real paradise, which is famous for Spain - Barcelona to some extent due to its extraordinary atmosphere of the Boqueria market. Here you can see a lot of amazing things and appreciate the inexpressible Spanish flavor of local residents.

The history of the Boqueria market

Bokeria received its unofficial birth back in 1237. At that time, the territory on which he now resides was located outside the city. It was used by local farmers to sell fresh meat, fruits and vegetables. Soon here began to sell and live pigs. The trade was conducted in an open area that was not fenced off, so people who wanted to earn money from farmers from all nearby settlements came here freely. Until 1800, the existing shopping arc called the "straw market".

All this time the square belonged to itself, there was no conversation about the arrangement. Only in 1826 this place fell under the control of the government, and it was officially recognized as a trading area. After about 10 years, the market in Barcelona under the leadership of architect Mas Vila began to be turned into a wide indoor pavilion. Construction lasted several years, and the official opening of the trading series took place in 1853. Its second name - San Jouzep - the market received due to the fact that the first stone in its foundation was laid on the day of St. Joseph. By 1911, the area was replenished with a new fish market, and by 1914 the building was equipped with gas equipment and a new metal roof, which exists up to our times.

Modern Boqueria

You can enter Boqueria through Ramblas - the epicenter of city life not only in Barcelona, but in Catalonia as a whole. Since 1914, the premises of the market have been significantly improved with respect to sanitary norms of trade and aesthetic component. Now, San Júzep is considered the best urban market in the world.

The variety of food is located on 300 counters in the territory of a single huge pavilion with an area of more than 2,500 square meters. M. Here work traders in the third and fourth generation, wishing to preserve and continue the history of the pristine Barcelona.

The passage of time led to the fact that the city itself and the Boqueria market in particular are now more focused on tourists. However, for Catalans, it is always associated with festive vanity, ancient customs and family traditions. Therefore, along with those wishing to see all the sights of tourists, local residents dwell here, eager to feel the unbreakable connection between the past and the present of Barcelona.

Market structure

Near the main entrance to the pavilion there are counters with sweets, assorted of exotic fruits and berries, nuts and dried fruits. It is very convenient to take with you a small bag of what you prefer, and eat it, bypassing the market. Counters with farmer dairy products can be found a little further to the left of the entrance. Buffets with cakes and sweets are lined along the far wall and will come across the entire perimeter of the pavilion.

The building of the market has several exits - the main entrance, the rear exit and several side ones. The backdoor will be interesting to visit the tourist - it will lead to an atmospheric narrow street, along which you can stroll leisurely, eating another culinary masterpiece, purchased in a food paradise.

The side exits on the right side overlook several shops offering excellent Spanish wines.

Bokeria is a real treasure for gourmets

The richness of the assortment on the shelves amazes the imagination. Here fresh fruits and vegetables are juxtaposed with rare spices, freshly caught marine inhabitants are located near the paired meat and offal, and from the variety of cakes and chocolate, the eyes will scatter at any sweet tooth.

For trade, they bring not only the products of local farms, but also an impressive range of exotic items. In winter, on the counter, you can see a large ripe strawberry or an appetizing mango fruit, but the Catalans themselves prefer to pamper themselves with seasonal products. In the multinational crowd, raging in the pavilion and night and day, you can meet as tourists looking for entertainment in the noisiest place in Barcelona, and local residents seriously concerned about finding fresh quality products.

What can you find on the shelves of San Josép?

Here you can buy almost any product:

• Fresh exotic fruits and berries, from which you will be offered to make freshly squeezed juice or assorted on your eyes.
• Homemade greens and vegetables.
• Nuts and dried fruits.
• A variety of types of meat that are neatly trimmed in your presence.
• Fragrant smoked sausages and jamon.
• Spicy cheeses, homemade dairy products, milkshakes.
• Olives and pickles.
• Rare spices and spices.

• An abundance of sweets, from candied pieces of fruit and ending with chocolate of different shapes and shades.
• Freshly baked fragrant bread.
• Wine for every taste and purse - the cost of the bottle is from 10 to 500 euros.
• Fish and seafood, which deserve special attention.

Kings of the Boqueria market - sellers of seafood

The market in Barcelona fully justifies the proximity of the country to the Mediterranean Sea - the heart of the pavilion is occupied by fish ranks. The whole underwater world can be seen on the shelves covered with small ice. Octopus and cuttlefish, fish and tuna, scallops and mussels, shrimps, sea urchins and oysters - they are all caught literally a couple of hours ago, some of them still stir.

A great popularity among the Catalans enjoys a paella dish of rice with the addition of mussels, shrimps and squid. In the market there are restaurants where you can try not only paella, but also freshly caught fish cooked according to a secret Catalan recipe.

Tricks seen by tourists

Useful tips, combined from the experience of travelers, will help to spend time on the market with benefit. Here are the main ones:

• Begin bypassing the trading area better in the morning, starting at half past eight. At this time the pavilion is practically empty, there are no tourists, and one can observe what products the local people prefer to take. Also here you can have a nice breakfast with pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
• Fruit platter, freshly squeezed juices, cocktails and nuts in the depth of the market are cheaper than at the entrance.
• Here they like to bargain, but without fanaticism, but for the sake of pleasure - this is considered a sign of respect and attention. If you bargain, you can get a small discount, and you will definitely choose the best on the counter.

• Vendors like to chat - if you are benevolent, for certain you will learn the secret of some interesting dish. If you plan to regularly visit the Boqueria market, buy from the same sellers - for regular customers they make a good discount.
• You can take pictures, but carefully - some traders are already accustomed to importunate tourists, some translate into a joke, offering a picture for 1 euro, and some seriously annoyed at seeing the camera aimed at them.

Where to have a snack in the market?

Getting acquainted with the highlight of Barcelona, although an exciting, but very exhausting process. Those wishing to relax and gain strength for new experiences to tourists in Boqueria are advised to visit several small bars offering local delicacies and refreshments.

Perhaps the most common and favorite among travelers is the Bar Pinotxo. Friendly and devoted to the business owner of the bar is very fond of foreigners, ready to talk with everyone, sharing positive emotions. The bar offers classic dishes of Catalan cuisine, meat or fish snacks, delicious fresh seafood, fragrant baked sausages and cold salads.

To the hot serve a gorgeous, still warm crispy baguette. For dessert it is recommended to order the most delicate donuts in sugar, melting in the mouth. The time of the bar is from 6 am to 3 pm.

Location, opening hours, how to get there

Market address - Spain, Barcelona, La Rambla boulevard, 91. You can get on the metro along the green line, after reaching the station Liceu, but it will be much more interesting to stroll along the boulevard leisurely, watching the play of street actors.

The above boulevard - the very center of Barcelona, and it is very successful for tourists is the Boquería market. Opening hours - from 8:00 to 20:30, the pavilion is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday.