Barcelona refurbishes its most famous market to restore its local character
8 October, 2025Boqueria Market, one of Barcelona’s most visited venues, will undergo a complete refurbishment starting in the summer of 2026 with a minimum investment of €12 million. The project, approved by over 90% of the stall owners, will run until 2027 and aims to reduce tourist pressure and reinforce its function as a local market.
Among the planned actions are the complete reconstruction of the fish island, improved accesses, toilets and air conditioning, as well as the renovation of its façade. A central corridor will also be opened to facilitate the circulation of visitors.
The new regulation stipulates that at least half of the stalls must offer traditional products, limiting the sale of processed products for immediate consumption to 50%. In addition, the fibre cement roof will be replaced by solar panels, in line with the municipal plan for energy self-sufficiency in markets.
According to José Antonio Donaire, Commissioner for Sustainable Tourism, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to make congested areas “less touristy” and reclaim space for residents, reinforcing the authenticity of the market.