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Found a hidden gem market in Barcelona that cut my food costs in half
On a recent trip to Barcelona, I found a local market away from the tourist areas. The prices for fresh stuff like fruits and bread were much cheaper. I made my own lunches and saved a lot, which was nice. Any tips for finding these kinds of places in new cities?
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harperh641mo ago
Last summer in Lisbon, I found this tiny market tucked behind a train station. I was just walking around, trying to avoid the main squares, and there it was. The prices for veggies and fish were maybe half what I saw in tourist spots. I bought enough for three days of meals for under 20 euros. For new cities, I always look for where the locals are shopping early in the morning. It's like they know all the good spots before anyone else wakes up...
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Check out markets a few blocks from big transit stops like Harper said. How do you actually tell a real local market from one that just has fewer tourists though? Some places look local but still have marked-up prices if they're on the edge of a trendy area. I try to see if the signs are only in the local language and if people are buying full grocery carts.
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william_hall1mo ago
Isn't that method too easy to fool? Signs in one language just mean they don't expect foreign customers, not that prices are fair. I've seen locals get overcharged at places that look authentic because they're near where people with money live. Tourists renting apartments also buy full carts of groceries, so that doesn't prove much. I just compare the cost of everyday items like eggs or water to what I know from budget stores. If it's even a little higher, I walk out.
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