Mercat dels Encants

28 Best Things to Do in Barcelona

"Els Encants is the flea market with the fabulous roof. That ceiling is over 80-feet high, built from undulating zinc and aluminum, and mirrored silver-gold to reflect a kaleidoscopic whirl of stalls below. This market of odds-and-sods has existed in Barcelona since around 1300; for years, as a nomad–goods laid out on ever-changing streets and squares around the city. That changed in 2013 when Els Encants’ sparkling new home opened in Poblenou. The design wizardry of architect b720 Fermín Vázquez (which is now modernizing the city’s iconic Camp Nou soccer stadium), it’s a visual stunner blessed with good-looking neighbors. On one side, the tin-foil-shiny Torre Glòries and Disseny Hub, the design museum. Turn 90 degrees, and there’s La Sagrada Familia saying hola in the background. There are two types of shoppers. Those with a practical list—for a tablecloth, DIY tools, low-cost sportswear, say. And those on a speculative hunt for gems. For the latter, you have to be prepared to wade through tat. But if that’s your vibe, you’ll find stealth members of your tribe here, too—interior and fashion designers, prop sourcers, decorators, and people with homes full of where-did-you-find-THAT pieces." - Gemma Askham