La Boqueria starts a €12 million refurbishment, and the works now run into 2028
Mercat de la Boqueria is starting a €12 million renovation in 2026, with works now running through 2027 and 2028. The scope: fish hall, asbestos roof, ventilation, solar panels. Vendors approved it with over 90% in favour.
Mercat de la Boqueria, officially Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria on Rambla 91, was announced in 2025 to start in summer 2026 and run through 2027 (see the update below for the new timetable). The Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona (IMMB) approved the plan after the Market Vendors' Association voted in favour with over 90% of stallholders.
The scope is wide: a full modernisation of the fish hall, replacement of the ageing asbestos roof, a new central aisle, and a rebuilt rear access via Plaça de la Gardunya. Plus upgrades to ventilation, bathrooms, and energy efficiency, including solar panel installation. Works will be staged carefully so the market, which draws around 25 million annual visitors, can stay partially open throughout.
Alongside the physical works, La Boqueria is adopting a new product mix rule: a maximum of 50% processed products and a minimum of 50% traditional, fresh products. Processed items can only be made from agreed-upon fresh ingredients and have to be 'presented at room temperature or chilled, cut or sliced, or prepared and ready to eat'. The initial split lands at 53.7% traditional to 46.3% processed. Jordi Mas, president of the Market Vendors' Association, and Raquel Gil, Fifth Deputy Mayor, have backed the rule, which ARA's report frames as a check on processed stalls becoming 'chip shops and nuggets chicken'. The roughly 1,500 linear metres of commercial offerings will be maintained, and all current operators can stay.
The project fits inside the wider regeneration of La Rambla and Plaça de la Gardunya. La Boqueria has run at Rambla 91 since 1836, and it's open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:30 with roughly 200 stalls a day.
Update, 23 September 2026: The timetable has moved. The 50% traditional-product rule, which vendors backed with 90% support in September 2025, was meant to take effect in 2026 but has been pushed back to 2027, pending approval by the full city council. The first phase, the toilets and basement lighting, starts after the summer, followed by the fish section. Before spring 2027, the fish stalls and the central section's vendors will move into a temporary tent on Plaça de la Gardunya; councillor Raquel Gil explained that moving the whole market into one tent isn't possible, so the works are phased, and they now run through 2027 and 2028.
Location
La Rambla 91, 08001 Barcelona (Mercat de la Boqueria)
Frequently asked questions
When does the Boqueria refurbishment begin?
The first works, on the toilets and basement lighting, start after summer 2026, followed by the fish section. Fish and central stalls move to a temporary tent on Plaça de la Gardunya before spring 2027, and works run through 2027 and 2028.
What is the scope of the Boqueria refurbishment?
The €12 million scope covers a full modernisation of the fish hall, replacement of the ageing asbestos roof, a new central aisle, and a rebuilt rear access via Plaça de la Gardunya. It also upgrades ventilation, bathrooms, and energy efficiency, including solar panels.
Will Mercat de la Boqueria stay open during the works?
Yes. Works will be staged carefully so the market can stay partially open throughout the construction. La Boqueria draws around 25 million annual visitors.
What is the Boqueria's new product mix rule?
Stalls must hold a maximum of 50% processed products and a minimum of 50% traditional, fresh products. Processed items can only be made from agreed-upon fresh ingredients. The initial post-refurbishment split is 53.7% traditional to 46.3% processed, across roughly 1,500 linear metres.
Who approved the Boqueria refurbishment?
The Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona (IMMB) approved the plan after the Market Vendors' Association voted in favour with over 90% of stallholders. Jordi Mas (Vendors' Association president) and Raquel Gil (Fifth Deputy Mayor) have publicly backed the project.
When does La Boqueria's 50% traditional-product rule take effect?
It's now expected in 2027, not 2026. Vendors backed the rule with 90% support in September 2025, but it still needs approval from the full city council and its start has been pushed back.