La Boqueria

Entrance to La Boqueria market

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, to give La Boqueria its proper name, is one of Barcelona’s busiest attractions. If you love food, you’ll see why – not only are the raw ingredients available, but there are also numerous stalls selling cooked (and pre-prepared) food. There are actually 11 bars in the market – along with dozens of others around the periphery.

There are quiet times at La Boqueria

The Boqueria is a working market, however, so please behave accordingly: ask before taking photos, and give people enough space to get their shopping done. And for goodness sake, don’t drag your suitcases around – yes, I have seen it. If you are buying supplies, La Boqueria is surprisingly good value. Just go early, before the crowds. Closed Sundays.

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1881 per Sagardi

Grilled seafood is the speciality at 1881 Per Sagardi, and it is about the best paella in town

Okay. Port Vell is tourist central. But that doesn’t mean you need to suffer through a sub-par tourist meal. On the rooftop of the Museu d’Història de Catalunya, 1881 per Sagardi rises above the tourist traps below, offering stunning views across the marina and superyachts (well, from the terrace out front, if not the dining room), and serving some of the best seafood dishes in town.

You pay for the privilege (expect to pay around €50 a head with limited wine consumption), but in this instance you get what you pay for. We’ve been back a number of times.

Tel: 932 210 050

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