It’s been called ‘the greatest market in the world’ and in many ways it is. Barcelona’s Boqueria market is the largest in Europe and the best in the city. Located right on Las Ramblas, La Boqueria goes beyond a place to do your weekly shop; it is a showcase for the Spain’s vast array of seasonal produce, an inspiration for local chefs, a stage for local community events and increasingly a top tourist attraction. Traders of all sorts have been peddling their wares at La Boqueria’s site since the 17th century when the city was still walled, though the soaring glass and iron structure you see today dates from the mid-19th century. Inside, there is logic to the market’s layout; in the centre you’ll find the ‘illa de peix’ (island of fish) where pearly-white cuttlefish, bucket-loads of prawns and scary-looking monkfish glisten on seas of ice. Around the edges you’ll find fruit and veg, with exotic fresh fruit juices sold at the Rambla-facing stalls. In between you’ll wander through everything in-between, from tiny paradas selling only eggs or bananas and another with every sort of fungi under the sun (Petras, Nº 867, they also specialise in edible insects). Perhaps logically ...

Passeig de Gracia leads to one of Barcelona’s most elegant shopping districts which was once a small town in its own right until it was swallowed whole by the city. Exploring the winding narrow streets of Gracia is a great adventure, complemented by the many bars and restaurants, trendy boutiques and fantastic Barcelona apartments. The two main squares are Placa Rius i Taulet and Placa del Sol where you can relax and watch people while sipping a coffee or a cool drink. NAGORE FOOTWEAR One of the cool boutiques you may wish to enter in Gracia is Nagore Footwear which sells a fantastic range of handmade shoes for women, men and children, produced on the Spanish island of Menorca. The soles are made from crepe rubber or leather and the choice of sandals, shoes and boots is truly impressive. The company only sells eco-friendly leather that is tanned solely with vegetable oil. Until recently, the footwear was just available via Nagore’s website but now the company has a lovely shop at Calle Asturies 50, Grácia. JET LAG EZE Jet Lag Eze is a superb clothing boutique for women and men selling designer labels such as Girl, Paramita and Frederichoms. It is located at ...