Barcelona’s La Bouqueria Market is one of Europe’s oldest and largest covered markets, with an area larger than a football field covered with stands selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and especially seafood in incredible variety. Its customers include not only local home cooks, but also chefs for many of Barcelona’s top restaurants.
Mixed in with these vendors are also a dozen or more small bars and cafes where you can grab a quick taste of freshly-cooked market food, and a coffee, wine or beer. Located just off the famed Ramblas, it’s an easy walk from many of Barcelona’s best-known sights and museums.
And it’s not Barcelona’s only market: the city has maintained public markets in over a dozen Barcelona neighborhoods. For more info, try
http://www.barcelona-tourist-g…arcelona-market.html
I love visiting local markets. I try to make a point of seeing one every trip if possible. Sometimes you can pick up great gifts from these (eg. tea, spices). Another place I like to visit when I can is the local library. The quality of a library tells me a lot about a people and the values they and their government have.