The Boqueria Market, one of Barcelona’s oldest and most beloved landmarks, is about to undergo a major renovation. With the aim of guaranteeing its function as a municipal market, the Barcelona City Council has launched an ambitious renovation project that will not only modernize the physical space, but also its management model and commercial offer. This transformation seeks to maintain the Boqueria as a space focused on the locals, while remaining an international benchmark.
A market for the neighbors and for the world
In the words of Raquel Gil, Councilor for Commerce, Catering and Markets, the objective is clear: “We want to ensure that the Boqueria Market maintains its uniqueness and continues to be used by local residents, responding to the needs of the city”. This approach puts at the center the renaturalization of the market, betting on fresh and local products, and ensuring that the commercial offer remains accessible and diverse. For his part, the deputy mayor and Ciutat Vella councilor, Albert Batlle, stressed the importance of the Boqueria as a driving force for activity in the Raval neighborhood: “We want this vocation as a neighborhood market to contribute to a comprehensive remodeling of the environment”.
Strategic and collaborative reform of the Boquería market
The renovation project is one of the strategic objectives of the municipal government for this mandate and has the active collaboration of the Boqueria Traders’ Association. On a practical level, modifications will be made to the Municipal Markets Ordinance and the Internal Regulations of the Boqueria, with the active participation of the merchants in the remodeling process. The works, which are expected to start in 2025 and finish in 2027, will have a minimum investment of 12 million euros by the City Council. The refurbishment will be carried out in parallel with the major transformation of the Rambla, and promises to improve not only the market, but also its immediate surroundings.
Physical changes for a more accessible and modern space
The reform of the Boqueria Market includes significant changes to its physical layout. The aim is to gain more free space, update the variety of products and improve the central core of the market, which is mainly dedicated to fish. One of the most prominent changes will be the creation of a new central aisle, which will help improve circulation within the market and oxygenate the building. The façade of Plaça de la Gardunya will also be renovated, with the aim of opening up the market to the Raval district and giving this space new uses. In addition, the renovation will serve to replace the building’s current asbestos cement roof.
Balance in the commercial offer
One of the most important aspects of the transformation is the balance between fresh and processed products. The aim is for the Boqueria to continue to be a reference food market, but also to adapt to the new needs of consumers, offering ready-made products. This measure will allow the market to maintain its attractiveness for both locals and tourists, without losing its identity. Importantly, all current market operators will have the option of remaining in the new Boquería, guaranteeing the continuity of their businesses in a renovated space.
The uniqueness of the Boquería
The Boqueria Market is much more than a market; it is an institution in Barcelona. Founded in the 13th century, it currently has 178 stalls, making it the market with the most establishments in the city. In fact, it triples the number of stalls of such important markets as Sant Antoni (54) or Santa Caterina (60). In addition, the Boqueria is the most visited market in Barcelona, with 23,273,738 visitors in 2023, which is 370% more than the Mercat de Sant Antoni and 722% more than Santa Caterina. However, this massive influx of tourists has led the City Council to adopt measures to ensure coexistence and preserve the character of the market. Since 2017, access has been restricted to organized groups of more than 15 people on Fridays and Saturdays, and the presence of civic agents has been reinforced in the market.
La Boqueria in the context of Barcelona’s market network
The Boqueria renovation project is part of a broader plan that includes the improvement of other spaces in the area, such as the Jardins del Doctor Fleming and Plaça de la Gardunya. 1.8 million euros will be earmarked for these interventions, which will also include the hiring of four new civic agents to improve coexistence in and around the market. Barcelona has one of the most extensive market networks in the world, with 39 food markets that provide citizens with fresh and local products. In addition, the city is also home to four non-food markets, where you can find everything from clothing to antiques, preserving the traditional spirit of open-air sales. The renovation of the Boquería not only seeks to preserve its historical uniqueness, but also to ensure its future sustainability as a key space for the people of Barcelona and as a world reference in the field of municipal markets.
