![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla La Boqueria Market in Barcelona](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14841692425_0268a97136_o.jpg)
When I travel, I like to visit local food markets to check out local food fares.
In Barcelona, the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria Market, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district. It is one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, another rich shopping street.
The market has a very diverse selection of goods, ranging from live seafood, fresh vegetables to herbs, spices and cooked food. It is one of the oldest market in Barcelona, with lots of colours and things to see:
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Entrance to the market](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14655076558_30750c41e5_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla There were many stalls tempting me with their iberico ham which I grew very fond of in Barcelona](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14655076208_280d11a92d_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fruit popsicles](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3873/14841339792_2fc4e6d8e0_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Colourful fruits](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3909/14839335934_08b705a74c_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Colourful candies](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14841340262_cd3fb91beb_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Nuts and such](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14654992420_ec83d272f6_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla More nuts](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14841324602_e55940129e_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fruits and veggies](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14654991900_57676c7de3_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Olive oil, chilies and such](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14818723826_e0c094face_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Assorted chocolates](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/14654994590_19a69e77fd_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Candies](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/14861559093_cf65bdd008_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Shaped candies](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14841691125_5d8d762921_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla More cute chocolates](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14818717406_93435bca75_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Chocolate coated candies](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14654978850_717e4b11e4_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Seafood section](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14861555093_3542d26d8a_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Lobsters](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/14841688215_f8ae6ce72b_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla A seafood stall](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/14655139697_5c0ca8545f_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Assorted fishes](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/14818722396_07df783141_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fish](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/14654990600_779fb4d2eb_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Chopping up a fresh fish for the customer](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14841336272_bc02b17cf9_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fish with stuffing](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14655138747_b1bbe56972_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Sole fish](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/14861553863_75323fb9c1_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Crabs and prawns](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/14818719856_f245e29528_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Clams](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/14655068548_89c226c759_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Prawns](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/14655068408_9317206349_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Some sea creature](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/14838603021_15a77e8da1_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Monk fish](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14841323672_112231d5c2_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Octopus](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14838591151_d147906362_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Scottish mud crabs](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14838590691_6e4e631405_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fillets](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14841331102_afc0987441_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Shrimp sticks](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/14861549323_40546621d9_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Seafood bar if you get hungry shopping](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14655046279_ef5332df30_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fresh fruits and veggies](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14841683965_c2404cdc94_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Chillies and garlics](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14655069428_7d0d963032_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Red and green peppers](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14841333782_a63f4f04ff_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Veggies](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14818718726_e83fbe6118_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Giant leaves](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14838593961_4de2446a84_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Meat section](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14654983130_b0278d7b0b_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Meat](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14841683775_0385738bf6_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla More meat](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14861549773_fd138d2808_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Whole legs of iberico ham](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14838597471_4833cb698a_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Assorted meat skewers](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14861544503_dce7f215ea_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Olive oils](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3906/14838594451_c978031ec1_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Olive oils, vinaigrette](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/14655037929_ff530f713c_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Candies and some sauces](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14838592671_e21c330f09_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Traditional sweets and snacks](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14841679515_06a68997d1_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Cheeses and condiments](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14655135597_6e498e2b1f_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Assorted olives](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/14654984000_57c0e34872_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Closer look at the olives](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14861548593_1541c1e876_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Fruit stall](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/14655064808_5578880545_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla A very beautiful tomato variant which looks like pumpkins](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14841679155_145eb7cdfe_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Tomatoes with stalks still intact](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/14655042469_da6eb00b24_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla More tomatoes](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14655061528_a76286f9e5_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Outdoor area of the market](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5591/14841329252_58687aff9b_o.jpg)
Via wikipedia:
The first mention of the Boqueria market in Barcelona dates from 1217, when tables were installed near the old city gate to sell meat. From December 1470 onwards, a pig market was held at this site; at this time it was known as Mercat Bornet. Later, until 1794, it was known simply as Mercat de la Palla, or straw market.
In the beginning, the market was not enclosed and had no official status, being regarded simply as an extension of the Plaça Nova market, which extended to the Plaça del Pi. Later, the authorities decided to construct a separate market on La Rambla, housing mainly fishmongers and butchers. It was not until 1826 that the market was legally recognised, and a convention held in 1835 decided to build an official structure.
Construction began on March 19, 1840 under the direction of the architect Mas Vilà. The market officially opened in the same year, but the plans for the building were modified many times. The inauguration of the structure finally took place in 1853. A new fish market opened in 1911, and the metal roof that still exists today was constructed in 1914.
La Rambla, on the other hand, is a street in central Barcelona, popular with tourists and locals alike. A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell:
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla The street of La Rambla](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14841636625_954ce01dd2_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Candies and souvenir shop](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14839280584_2248abcb8d_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla A cafe](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14654938290_79b75ab963_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Candies store](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/14654996619_dc4c48a8fe_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Accessories store](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14655014118_d704fb71ce_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Store specialising in wallets and bags made from recycled posters](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14839149914_7984eac9ed_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Decorated cakes](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14654959247_fe0569dfa1_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla FCB cakes](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14818539556_18b7291be9_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Caganer (shitter) figurines of world leaders and celebrities](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14654958207_446b1b711f_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla Team FCB Caganers](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14654871369_a08fc36916_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla World leaders Caganers - apparently, Spanish people buy and display these in their houses for good luck](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14839147764_72f30b4da0_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla A pavement cafe, just in front of a historical wall](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14841503455_d328a0c876_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla An ice cream store](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3872/14861459933_9994da40a8_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla They sell candies and other traditional snacks too](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/14841592755_f428588451_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla We bought ice creams](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/14841592385_139f4593e6_o.jpg)
![Barcelona with Qatar Airways - La Boqueria Market and La Rambla A statue on the street](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14861497533_76f135a6cb_o.jpg)
Admittedly, I spent more time shopping at the food and produce market rather than for trinkets and souvenirs. It’s a personal preference as I often find it harder to get stuff made locally when it comes to trinkets and souvenirs which mostly come “made in China” or in some developing countries. Food, on the other hand, most of it is local.
I will be writing one more post on the food in Barcelona to round up the posts on my trip to Barcelona with Qatar Airways. Stay tuned!