La Boqueria starts a €12 million refurbishment this summer
Mercat de la Boqueria begins a €12 million renovation in summer 2026, running through 2027. 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, starts a €12 million refurbishment in summer 2026 that runs through 2027. 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 Mas framed 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.
Location
La Rambla 91, 08001 Barcelona (Mercat de la Boqueria)
Frequently asked questions
When does the Boqueria refurbishment begin?
Works begin in summer 2026 and run through 2027.
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.