Catch the rhythm of Barcelona mornings and visit Encantes!

Do you want to know how does it feel like a real Barcelona morning? If yes, then don´t miss the biggest and most famous open air morning market, called Encants Vells!
Rustling bags, rattling coins, the sounds of people talking and laughing… Sounds that repeat over and over again like a mantra at the market of Encantes! This is the rhythm that catches your attention first approaching the biggest market of Barcelona. According to locals, passing a little time here every morning has its benefits to the mind and the spirit. Well, it’s a theory worth trying!
The official name of Barcelona´s most important open air market is La Fira de Bellcaire, but among people it´s simply called Encantes or Encants in catalan. Even if it´s called open air, now it has changed a bit. Not long ago an avant-garde style roof has been built over the market protecting it from the rain. As the habitants say, the market´s view has changed a lot, but they all agree that this change makes a good mix of the old and the new things.
What can you find on the market of Encantes?
Literally everything from the new products to the second-hand ones: furniture, antiques, clothes, books, electric materials, textiles, decoration, everything that you can imagine.
Now the market takes place on various floors, more or less well organized. On the upper floors you can find the foodstuff, and on the lower ones everything else, actually in total anarchy. Walking between the lines, you can see old VHS videos, last century lamps, candels and boxes all together on the floor, put on large blankets.
The largest open air market of Barcelona is visited by 100 000 person weekly. What is not a surprise, because 500 professionals and commercialists are waiting for the visitors every week on 15 000 m2!
The essence of Encantes
After all, the real essence of this market is the auction. From 7.15 to 9.00 on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday you can haggle for the product you want. And the best part is that you don´t have to worry, because every item on sale is previously registered.
Apart from the auction you can visit the market on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9.00 to 20.00.
Where to stay in Barcelona?
Okay, you have to see this market, right? If you don´t know yet where to sleep, check out our bright and friendly hostels in Barcelona and book your bed now!