"Imagine Barcelona's iconic La Boqueria–the heaving, calamari-scented food market on La Rambla—before it became famous. When the only voices were local, and daily specials were scribbled in felt-tip pen on scraps on paper. That’s Sant Antoni today. A food and clothes market that’s revered by locals and cemented in their daily routines. Telling an international audience about it feels like breaking a secret code, so come with respect for that authenticity and a willingness to practice your high-school Spanish–as well as an appetite. Oh yes, you’ll definitely want the latter. Aim for that sweet spot where you’ll salivate upon seeing trays of olives piled like sandcastles, but aren’t so ravenous that you’ll blow all your hunger on the first stall of cured meats you come to. The flavors here are as traditional as the maroon-and-gold market itself: built in 1882, it recently closed from 2009 to 2018 for an €80 million refurb. Today, it’s restored, reopened and thriving–with the surrounding blocks becoming car-free to enhance the community-first experience. On Sundays, when the main market is closed, the outside edge turns into one of Europe’s largest open-air book markets, selling vintage editions and stamps. It starts at 8:30 am and is open until 2:00 pm—though Barcelona isn’t known for its early starts, so you’re safe to press snooze." - Gemma Askham
