Without mentioning any of the other market places I visited by name, this was the most genuine of the food markets I visited i Barcelona. I came back the last day of my visit to buy some jamon snd queso just because of that. Besides seeming more genuine the prices were a lot more reasonable than at some of the other places...

For those seeking a local, more spacious and less touristy market then this could be one for your visit. We came on a weekday around noon and it was very quiet inside. Individual counters were selling fresh seafood, meats, and fruits and vegetables. There was a coffee and pastry shop in the front and a place in the back selling local dishes by the kilogram. We ended up picking up some iberico jamon and salchichon sausage that we snacked on along with a fresh baguette and fruit we also purchased. Another reason to check out the market is the unique wavy roof above. Colorful tiles on the outside and wooden inside added to the distinctiveness.

This one is only a 12 minute walk from the more famous Mercat de La Boqueria on Las Ramblas, yet it is a world away in terms of experience. Much smaller, but a much more spacious set up internally with all the same type of food stalls you can see in the more famous one, it is considerably less busy and lower cost. It also has the associated cafes and bars around its periphery but because of the extra space to the back of the market the bars and restaurants here have outside sections on the pavement also. The funky modern roof design gives the market character and this spacious, modern market building was constructed on the former site of the Convent of Santa Caterina, from which it takes its name and there is an exhibit showing some historic ruins of the convent and information boards providing the background and history of the site at the main southern entrance to the market.