If you find yourself in Barcelona, this festive season, the Boquería Market - or the Mercat de La Boquería as the locals call it - is a must-visit. Visitors can expect their shopping senses to be assailed by the maze of stalls selling all types of everything, which makes the Boquería the ideal spot in which to while away an afternoon.
And in typical Spanish fashion you can stop off at the bar inside the market and refuel with a refreshing cerveza and a bowl full of the market's deliciously fresh olives, whilst indulging in that age-old time-waster of people-watching.
According to MasterChef winner and chef to the stars, Thomasina Miers, the venue is more than just a market, it is a slice of authentic Spain. "At the Boquería people eat, shop and gossip together doing what the Spanish excel at, living life well," she enthuses.
Although it might be the most colourful and jostling jewel in Barcelona's shopping crown, La Boquería is by no means the only one-stop shopping venue, as the city boasts three impressive shopping districts, Centro, Eixample and Diagonal, where you'll be in retail heaven. And as you meander through the streets lined with some of Gaudi's most iconic architectural creations, you're sure to be inspired by the individual style of the city's most chic inhabitants. Make Placa de Catalunya's El Corte Ingles your first stop and then prepare yourself for 5km of shopping paradise as you make your way up Avenue Diagonal.
Inside info
If you're feeling a bit tender after an evening spent sampling some of Barcelona's legendary nightlife, head to El Quim in the Boquería. Their scrambled eggs with white sausage, foie gras and a strong espresso will have you back on your feet in no time.
Details
Mercat de la Boquería, La Rambla, Barcelona
Visit boqueria.info
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