19/10/2023
The Twelfth Edition of the Market of Markets Festival
One of the best ways to experience the city, become whole for a moment, understand and look at it through the eyes of local residents and, most importantly, taste it literally, is to go to one of Barcelona's markets.
As is the case with the obligatory visit to the most popular street, La Rambla, the tourist trail does not become overgrown to the La Boqueria market. Not the biggest, but one of the oldest in Europe. The first mentions date back to the 13th century, when several butchers agreed among themselves and decided to sell meat in one place, next to the gates of the old city.
But despite its age, La Boqueria remains a place of attraction for both local gourmets who come to the opening for the freshest fish, and curious tourists who come here to admire the bright stalls and fill Instagram with photos with a colorful assortment of fruits, berries and sweets. Those who come just to look, to put it mildly, upset the sellers, which forces them to unite in the intention of limiting free access to the market. Therefore, until this happens, do not deny yourself the pleasure of buying something in a legendary place, even if it is a nice thing from the official souvenir shop. Yes, the market has its own branded merchandise: T-shirts, aprons, mugs and everything that you can bring as a gift or keep as a souvenir.
The market keeps up with the times and has organized online delivery of products for its customers, but, as they say, it’s better to see this beauty in person once than to go online a hundred times.
La Boqueria could rightfully be called the market of markets, if this pretentious name had not been taken by the annual gastronomic festival.
Mercat de mercats is a real event in the life of gourmets; it attracts representatives of almost 40 markets in Barcelona, chefs of the best restaurants, owners of cheese factories and managers of wineries. Accordingly, you and I will be presented with the freshest organic products, meat, fish, delicious sausages and cheeses; the most appetizing dishes will be prepared before our eyes, which can be tasted with all sorts of wines!
Obviously, people come here not only for groceries and food cooked on the grill or barbecue, cooking shows, master classes, presentations and music programs. Visiting this festival, like any individual market, is primarily about communication. Here friends, acquaintances, neighbors meet, and while talking they can drink a couple of glasses of beer while enjoying stewed lamb.
Three whole days of pleasure for the eyes and stomach!
Come in whole groups, families, feel free to take children, for whom the organizers have prepared separate entertainment and play areas.
WHEN: October 20 and 21 from 11.00 to 22.00, and October 22 from 11.00 to 21.00.
WHERE: Plaça de Catalunya
HOW MUCH: Free entrance