La Boqueria--a 'must see' market in Barcelona, Spain

     We only had three days to see it all in Barcelona.  My husband and I made a mental list of everything we wanted to experience and did our best to fit it all in. One place that wasn't on that list turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip---La Boqueria.
     We stumbled upon this popular market after a morning of sightseeing. It was incredibly hot, the kids were thirsty and we craved shade.  We noticed swarms of people going in and out of this market just off Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona.  We wanted to see what the fuss was about and decided to check it out for ourselves.
     This immediately became more than just a place to cool off.  It became an adventure. The vibrant colors and aroma of  Mediterranean cuisine led us through the maze of stalls. One stall after another revealed an exciting showcase of fresh fruits, vegetables, sweets, meats, seafood, drinks and the list goes on. Each stall was unique with its own look, smell and taste.

    Our kids gulped fresh lemonade while we wandered from one stall to the next, excited to see what the next display would reveal.  The sweets looked tempting...

   And the "burritos", interesting.

   While our visit to La Boqueria was for fun, many of Barcelona's restaurants and locals count on it for fresh ingredients.

fresh produce

mushrooms

dried meats

   This bustling market also offers several areas where people can pull up a stool and order food and drinks. It's a great place to feast on a snack or some lunch.

   If your next travels take you to Barcelona, I highly recommend putting La Boqueria on your list of "must sees." You'll be glad you did.