Reform of the Boqueria Market Seeks Balance with Tourism Activity

Reform of the Boqueria Market Seeks Balance with Tourism Activity

Since 2017, the council has promoted better coexistence between traders and visitors.

The works initiated by the Barcelona City Council are part of the Management Plan for High Affluence Spaces (EGA) and aim to minimise the consequences of tourism activity.

The Boqueria Market, one of the most iconic and oldest markets in Barcelona, is set to be transformed. The goal of the reform is to enhance its role as a local market while preserving its essence and uniqueness.

The City Council’s initiative seeks to balance daily activity with visitor presence, maintaining its character as a market focused on locals while continuing to be an international benchmark with its own unique identity.

Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Ciutat Vella, emphasised the importance of making the market “a central space that helps to stimulate activity in the neighbourhood.”

To facilitate this transformation, which is one of the strategic objectives of the municipal government for this term, amendments will be made to both the Municipal Markets Ordinance and the internal regulations of the Boqueria Market, with regard to which discussions are already underway with traders. A dialogue process will also be initiated with all the traders at the market, which will be documented in a restructuring agreement.

The works are expected to commence in 2025 and conclude in 2027, with a budget of approximately €12 million.

 

Prioritising Coexistence with Residents

The Boqueria Market is an international benchmark and one of the most iconic markets in Barcelona, first being mentioned as far back as the 13th century. Currently, with 178 establishments, it has the highest number of outlets in the city’s market network, three times more than the Sant Antoni (54) or Santa Caterina (60) markets. The Boqueria is also the municipal market that receives the most visitors: 23,273,738 in 2023, which is 370% more than Sant Antoni and 722% more than Santa Caterina.

Since 2017, the council has promoted better coexistence between traders and visitors. One measure taken was to restrict entry to organised groups of 15 or more visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from April to October. The number of civic agents within the market was also increased.

These measures are aligned with the Management Plan for High Affluence Spaces (EGA) implemented by the City Council, as the Boqueria Market and the Plaza de la Gardunya are included in these areas. The idea is to implement measures that minimise the consequences of tourism activity.

 

The Network of Markets in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the few cities in the world with a network of markets serving nearly all its neighbourhoods. In total, the city has 39 food markets, providing residents with fresh, high-quality, locally sourced products, as well as complementary services to meet the commercial needs of the 21st century, such as online shopping and home delivery.

The offerings at Barcelona’s markets are enhanced by four non-food markets that are part of the extensive market network, where residents can find everything from clothing and antiques to toys and books, all while preserving the unique spirit of outdoor commerce that characterises them. Barcelona’s markets are key agents in the economic development of the districts, providing fresh, high-quality products to every neighbourhood. The Municipal Institute of Markets of Barcelona (IMMB) promotes an innovative management model for the markets through the renewal and maintenance of infrastructure elements and the modernisation of services to improve their competitiveness.