La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market on Las Ramblas

About La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market

The famous La Boquería food market can be found about half way up Las Ramblas boulevard with La Boquería referring to the wrought iron gates on the Las Ramblas entrance. The formal name for the market being Mercat de Sant Josep. Another theory about the local name of La Boquería is that it derives from a Catalan translation which means a place where billy goat meat was sold.

Sant Josep food Market (La Boquería) is a local community food market that servers EL Raval neighbourhood, The restaurants in Las Ramblas and the Gothic quarter neighbourhood and is a bustle of people looking for the best fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

La Boqueria is the oldest food market in Barcelona.

For information about other notable food markets in Barcelona, Spain use this page.

La Boquería History

1217: documents dating from 1217 show that there was an open-air market in pla de La Boquería consisting of temporary stalls set up by local farmers from the surrounding villages.
1777: the ancient Roman Wall on Las ramblas on the side of Raval was demolished and the market stalls were moved to Rambla de Sant Josep, between the church of Bethlehem and Pla de La Boquería.
1820: people began to call out for the transformation of the Carmelite Convent of St. Joseph into a market.
1827: an edict issued by the Marquis de Campo Sagrado, Captain General of Catalonia regulated the sale of food on las ramblas establishing the new market of Sant Josep.
1835: following the riots that took place on the Feast Day of St. James, the convent was destroyed by fire.
1836: 28th March, after the demolition work, the traders on the Rambla moved to this site.
The city council decided to use the free space created after the demolition of the convent to build a square with arcades, using the same design as Plaça Reial, which was to be named Plaça del Treball. The work commenced, based on the design of Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajó, but by 1840, the square was still not completed.
1840 19 March, the laying of the foundation stone of the market, built in accordance with the design of the architect Josep Mas i Vila. Based on the design of the square, the central area was reserved for the stalls and the fish stalls were installed in a separate area, Plaça de Sant Galdric. The fish stalls were not transferred to the central part of the market until 1911.
1869: the square became too small and adjacent areas were annexed to it.
1888: the plot occupied by the former Convent of St. John of Jerusalem, demolished in 1888 to make way for what is now Plaça de la Gardunya.
1871: lighting in the form of gas lamps were installed.
1913: the modernist arches at the Rambla entrance and in 1914 the metal roof we added. Both were designed by architect Antoni Falguera i Sivilla.
1985: the market was remodelled and the loading area and car park were built. The design proposed setting back the market to create some free space on the side of the Rambla, and the elimination of Placa de la Gardunya but this was rejected.
1998 to 2001: the stall area was remodelled, based on the design of the architects Lluís Clotet i Ballús and Ignacio Paricio, who aimed to portray the market not as an enclosed building, but as a covered, arcaded square. To that end, the Ionic columns were restored and the perimeter connecting the roof to the arcades was demolished, to permit the entry of natural light.
2010 to 2013: an underground car par and logistics area, to permit the warehousing space to be tripled and free up an area for handling waste was constructed. Also, the Modernist arch at the Rambla entrance was also restored.
2015: the rear façade was inaugurated including the landscaping project in Plaça de la Gardunya.

Image Gallery for La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market

Click on any of the 14 images to open full screen gallery player

Visiting La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market

Around the edges of La Boquería are many small restaurants specialising in tapas.

Fish is a big part of the Mediterranean Diet so La Boquería has plenty of fresh fish stalls as well as meat, vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans. It is possible to find pretty much anything food wise here.

In the evening the Square that the market is in is gated and closed to prevent some of the nocturnal trades of Las Ramblas (prostitution) from using the space for other activities.

La Boquería Opening Hours

Monday to Saturday:

CLOSED: 1st January New Years day
CLOSED: 6th January Three Kings Day
CLOSED: 7th April Easter Friday
OPEN: 9th April Easter Sunday
CLOSED: 10th April Easter Monday
CLOSED: 1st May Dia del trabajador (workers day)
CLOSED: 24th June Sant Joan
CLOSED: 15th August Assumption Day
CLOSED: 22th September National day of Catalunya
CLOSED: 12th October National day of Spain
CLOSED: 1st November All saints day
OPEN: 6th December Constitution Day
OPEN: 8th December The Immaculate Conception
CLOSED: 25th December Christmas
CLOSED: 26th December Saint Steven's

Why visit La Boquería as a tourist?

If you are staying in an apartment and are cooking food, then La Boquería is the place to go for fresh ingredients. Also if you want some fresh fruit to eat while exploring las Ramblas then this is the place to get it. I also highly recommend the stall selling nuts as a place to buy holiday snacks.

Visiting La Boquería will give you an insight into the importance of quality food in a Mediterranean diet and the importance of mealtimes being a time to relax and chat with friends and family.

La Boqueria Market Stalls

What to take with you for La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market

La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market is step free access from the street with the market being on ground floor.

This food market can get busy so be cautions if taking large bags. Also be wary of pickpockets.

Bicycle anchorage points by Liceo Metro station exit. Bicycles in this part of town have a high probability of being stolen so do not take your eyes off it.

La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market Tickets

Guided by our chef, you'll handpick the freshest ingredients from la boqueria market that will later come together in your very own culinary masterpiece. Next in a nearby test kitchen and dining room, learn you how to prepare a traditional Spanish Sangria and hands-on paella cooking class. As the paella simmers to perfection you can relax for a few moments, before gathering around a dining room table, sharing laughter, stories, and newfound friendships while eating the paella.

3-hours with a professional chef. Tour Boqueria market to learn about seafood for Spanish and Catalan cuisine while chef buys fresh ingredients to prepare paella. Acompany the chef to a private dining room in El born and make pan con tomate and Basque pintxos or montaditos. While eating the pintxos, the chef will cook the paella explaining the history of the dish while you watch the preperation process. With the paella simmering, you'll learn all there is to know about sangria and mix your own. You will be seated at a table to enjoy the paella feast along with freshly mixed sangria.

Learn how to cook a classic Spanish and Catalan meal in a tapas style. Morning tour with the chef includes a visit to La Boqueria Market to meet the vendors and learn about locally grown produce buying ingredients for your cooking class. In the kitchen prepare a 4 course menu of paella, soup, appetizer, and dessert. Wednesday mornings the class is focused on Catalan flavors. Hands-on help from professionally trained bilingual Spanish chefs, follow their tips whether you are an experienced cook or complete novice. Savor your success, with pairings of Riojan (red) and Galician (white) wines.

Premium cooking class with professional chef and Zero kilometer products in an an 18th century modernised apartment. All participants cook the dishes on the Menu. For example, a Paella is cooked for every 3 participants. Includes a chef`s tour of the La Boqueria market with anecdotes about the sellers and the history of Catalan gastronomy and its traditions. Tasting of 10 Tapas accompanied by different wines at the market. learn how to cook a traditional menu of Spanish omelette, paella and Crema Catalana. The workshop is heavily assisted by an endless flow of wine, making both cooking and dining even more enjoyable.

from Palau de la Musica, crossing the Gothic Quarter to La Boquería market to learn about the fresh products, including seafood, cold cuts, fruits, and typical sweets from the region. The tour crosses the Gothic Quarter via City Hall to the famous Santa Caterina market, to discover local products, from fresh fish to seasonal fruits andvegetables. Taste some of the best tapas in the city, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients. Throughout the tour, the guide will tell us stories and anecdotes about Catalan culinary culture and give us tips on the best places to eat in the city.

Be amazed at the variety and quantity of fresh and prepared food at Boqueria Market as your guide explains Catalan food traditions and tasteing traditional Catalan olives. Exiting the Boqueria Market on to the scenic Ramblas promenade, stroll past its open-air cafes, fragrant flower stands and the colorful Miró mosaic. Next, we'll walk in the ancient streets of the Gothic Quarter, full of antique stores, continuing to the bustling Santa Caterina Market passing via a local caganer shop to discover the story of one of Catalonia's strangest traditions. Marvel at the Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, where you'll hear intriguing stories of La Ribera neighborhood sailors.

Getting to La Boquería Sant Josep Food Market

Address: La Rambla 91, Barcelona. 08002

Nearest Metro is Liceo on the Green (L3) line. But you have probably either walked up or down las Ramblas in which case it is approximately half way along las Ramblas. Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card.

Public Transport Guide