Barcelona’s La Boqueria Market To Undergo €12 Million Refurbishment To Restore Its Local Soul

Barcelona’s world-famous La Boqueria marketplace – officially ‘Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria’ – is preparing for a awesome €12 cardinal refurbishment aimed astatine bringing nan beloved landmark backmost to its roots arsenic a hub of section food, culture, and community.

According to nan Barcelona City Council, nan renovation task will statesman successful summertime 2026 and proceed done 2027, pinch useful cautiously staged truthful nan marketplace tin stay partially open, arsenic it’s a immense touristic spot passim nan full year. The upgrades will see a afloat modernisation of nan food hall, replacement of nan ageing asbestos roof, and improvements to ventilation, bathrooms, and power efficiency, including nan installation of star panels.

Why nan Change

For years, La Boqueria has been 1 of Europe’s busiest nutrient markets, attracting astir 25 cardinal visitors annually. Once nan regular shopping spot for locals, it gradually transformed into a tourer magnet filled pinch juice stalls and takeaway counters. The metropolis now hopes to rebalance nan market’s connection and reconstruct its accepted Catalan character.

Under caller stallholder rules, traders will beryllium required to guarantee that astatine slightest 40% of their products are caller – a measurement designed to prioritise section nutrient complete pre-prepared snacks aimed solely astatine tourists.

Who’s Behind It

The scheme was approved by nan Institute of Markets of Barcelona (IMMB) and received overwhelming support from stallholders – pinch much than 90% voting successful favour. The task besides aligns pinch nan ongoing regeneration of La Rambla and Plaça de la Gardunya, making nan market’s redesign portion of a broader push to amended nan metropolis centre’s livability.

Balancing Tourism and Tradition

Traders invited nan renovations but stay cautious astir imaginable income losses during construction, of course. Even short-term closures could deter millions of visitors, impacting adjacent businesses. Still, nan phased attack intends to debar afloat shutdowns, ensuring that locals and visitors alike tin each proceed to acquisition La Boqueria’s breathtaking ambiance and culture.

As nan metropolis prepares for this transformation, La Boqueria stands astatine a crossroads – balancing its domiciled arsenic a world culinary attraction pinch its personality arsenic Barcelona’s section hotspot.