Thing to do
Mercat de la Boqueria
Barcelona's best-known food market, entered from La Rambla under a wrought-iron arch, packed with produce stalls, fishmongers and busy counter bars.
Mercat de Santa Caterina
A neighbourhood food market near the cathedral, renovated by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue and crowned by a wave-shaped roof of coloured tiles.
At a glance
- Type
- Food market
- Area
- Sant Pere (Ciutat Vella), Barcelona, Spain
- Official site
- mercatsantacaterina.com
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Restaurant
- Food stalls
Why we recommend it
Santa Caterina offers a calmer alternative to La Boqueria, used mainly by local shoppers. Its renovation, completed in 2005 by the architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, added the rolling roof covered in hexagonal ceramic tiles in the colours of fruit and vegetables, best seen from the buildings around it.
Inside you will find fishmongers, butchers, cheese and charcuterie counters, plus bars serving market dishes. Remains of the medieval convent that once stood here are visible at one end. Mornings are the liveliest time, and many stalls close in the afternoon on most days, so do not leave it too late. It is a short walk from the cathedral and El Born.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Mercat de Santa Caterina FAQs
Who designed the roof?
The renovation, including the colourful tiled roof, was by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue and was completed in 2005.
Is it open in the afternoon?
Only on some weekdays; hours vary by day and season, so check the official site.