Is it the greatest market in the world? Many respected food writers and gourmands believe so. Other puritans lament the fact that the Boqueria has become ‘touristy’- perhaps a victim of foresaid foodies who have spread the word worldwide. Personally I think they are missing the point—like other great markets of Europe, the Boqueria has changed with the times, installing visitor-friendly stalls alongside those that cater to the locals. So everybody’s happy.

The Boqueria means ‘slaughterhouse’ – and that’s what stood in it’s place prior to the magnificent 19th century wrought iron marketplace. Before it was built, farmers used come and set up shop at the city gate that once stood here (a few still do in the square to the right of the marketplace) and at times the scene still looks like it has been stuck in another era, with stalls of tangly seafood, mounds of offal and skinned rabbits hanging high and dry. Even if you’re not a home cook, eating breakfast or lunch at one of the many bars inside the market is a quintessential Barcelona experience.