The Perfect Date in Barcelona

The Fighting Couple is always on the lookout for great day dates.    We found the perfect place during our recent visit to Barcelona, Spain.  In the center of town is a vibrant fruit and fish market.  Located right off of the Las Rambas, is La Boqueria.  Don’t get us wrong, there are a fair amount of touristas there.  But the market continues to perform a vital function for much the central area of town.  Walk up and down the aisles, take in the sights, sounds and smells of one of the really great traditional European markets.

The Perfect Day Date

The Boqueria is the perfect spot to get a start on your day date.  Wander around that many tempting booths of fruits and veggies.  Try some tapas.  Do some sampling.  Pick out some ripe strawberries, a passion fruit?, select a loaf of sour dough bread, and your fave beverage.  Best of all, don’t forget to buy some of the amazing Catalan Chocolate!  Head for the lovely vista of Montjuïc.  Take the metro, or hike to the end of Las Ramblas and walk along the harbor to the hill.  Once atop, you will have a commanding view of the city, and the harbor.  A beautiful sight on a sunny day.   There are many gardens along the north side of the hill.  Find your ideal secluded spot and enjoy your finds from the market.  Read some versus of the famed Catalan poet Salvador Espriu. As day turns to evening walk down the hill and take in the waterworks of the magic font.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.

How to Make a Purchase

If your Spanish or Catalan is limited, the market can seem like a daunting challenge.  Don’t let your heart be troubled.  You are among friends.  This market is one of the more easier markets we have found to make purchases without a command of the native language.  Step one is to survey.  If you are looking for fruits, walk up and down each of the alleys to scope out your target.  It may be helpful to pick a both where there is not a line of people.  This will give you a chance to chat up your stall attendant.   Once you have identified the object of your desire, flash a big smile and point and ask “Quanto Questa?”  The response back will likely be in English.  Discuss quantity, fork over the euros and bam!  You have your items.  Now was that so hard?

A word of warning about the market.  It is not immune of the pick pocketers.  It is close quarters inside the market.  Keep your belongings close by.

A Little History

The market was founded around 1200.  At that time it was an over growth of another market in the area.  For the next 600 years the market held a butchers market, a pig pen and then in the mid 1800s the market was formally recognized by the town.  At the turn of the 1900s the metal roof that exists today was installed.  Today, the market is a destination for the local and visitor alike.

Have you been to Boqueria?  How was your experience?  What tastes did you have?  Leave a comment below and let us know.