Some of the old food markets in Madrid have been transformed but some remain the same with all their old character. Some food markets in Madrid have been reinvented to provide an overall different experience in which buying food is not the main objective, but tasting and eating are why you mainly visit them. Discover more about the food markets in Madrid in this short article.
Visiting a food market is for many people something special. We have included this activity among our top things to enjoy in Madrid. Some local companies have specialized in food markets and offer excellent tours to enjoy them, have fun and dine at the same time. This is a GREAT TOUR to enjoy local Madrid markets with a guide.
The 2 most visited food markets in Madrid are Mercado de San Miguel, just next to The Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Anton, which is located in the Chueca district. These 2 markets are normally included as 2 important tourist attractions in Madrid. But the good news is that there are many more! You will be able to find below information on the 2 most popular and “tourist-friendly” markets plus some details on other importnat and interesting food markets in Spain´s capital city.
The Mercado de San Miguel Designed by the architect Alfonso Dube y Diez, the Mercado de San Miguel was inaugurated on the 31st of May 1916 but now totally re-done by Juan Manuel Alarcon. This market has all types of food from the land and the sea, and you can enjoy eating it in the magical interior with metal, crystal and ceramic frames. It is beautiful, but many locals believe it has become too touristic and
The San Anton market is once of the most popular food markets in Madrid. It is located so close to gran Via street that it became soon after it was refurbished a top tourist attraction of Spain´s capital. But San Anton market is located in a district where people actually live and locals enjoy shopping in the market for their fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, or meat. There is another market in Madrid with a similar
Amongst the modern or transformed markets you will find in the Fuencarral district the San Ildefonso market. This market is known to many people as the Fuencarral market. Many stands and less of a market, you will be able to taste tapas, wines and all sorts of foods. You can expect a similar concept at Platea. Located at the premises of what used to be cinemas, Platea offers many stands in a stylish atmosphere where you will be able to find different sorts of food. Platea is locate right next to the very busy Goya street and the Plaza del Descubrimiento. These 2 markets are basically places to enjoy tapas. You can find more ideas for tapas in Madrid in this post.
If you would prefer to visit real food markets where locals still go shopping these are all good options not far from the city center.
(next to the underground station with the same name). Old ladies and hipsters alike shop in this market. The arrival of new neighbors has provided a new flair to this market, which boasts over 80 stands, lots of options to buy take-away food, and also the possibility to enjoy tapas on the spot.
The Antón Martín market (officially named Mercado Municipal de Antón Martín) is a food market located in the center of Madrid, between Atocha street and Santa Isabel street. This is a good food market to enjoy in Madrid if you are near Retiro Park or if your hotel is located near the Atocha train station.
Since 1766 there has been some sort of market in the same spot. In 1933, the Madrid City Council commissioned the architect Gonzalo Domínguez Espúñez to design what will become the Antón Martín Market. The project was not executed until after the war and was inaugurated in 19413 than in the 1950s after the remodeling of the area is built in the building shown today.
This market was almost abandoned when new stands opened with eco-friendly products and good value for money. The market is located on Calle de Embajadores (Central District), between the Casino de la Reina and Plaza Agustín Lara. This is the area where the most famous flea market is located in Madrid: El Rastro.
The market was inaugurated in 1944, serving the residents of Lavapiés and part of La Arganzuela. It was designed by civil architect Casto Fernández-Shaw. It has undergone several restorations at the end of the 20th century. Since 2007, part of the second floor has been expanded and the Lavapiés Primary Care Center was installed. Inside, it houses space for around thirty stalls.
This market is located in Barrio Salamanca. A rather bourgeois district, this market boasts fantastic products and also the option to have lunch at some of the stands. This is a market where a loyal, local cliente shop everyday.
This beautiful market was built in 1879 with a modernistt style, being the last of the municipal markets built in the 19th century.
The Mercado de La Paz has about seventy stalls and has recently enjoyed a renaissance thanks to the Merchants Association of Madrid. It is currently one of the more posh and high-end markets you will find in the Spanish Capital.
Located a bit more distant from the city center, Chamartin is probably our favorite market. Lots of fantastic stands where you will be able to find excellent regional products.
At the confluence of Bolivia and Potosí streets in the Chamartín district in northern Madrid, the Mercado de Chamartín was inaugurated on December 12, 1962, one of the best food markets in Madrid, especially in terms of quality, service, and presentation. This is area is not far from the Bernabeu Stadium.
In the last ten years, various upgrades made to help promote the small vendors and businesses that keep the market alive. This is a market where locals truly shop. Do not expect tourists here, but if you want to enjoy a truly genuine experience with high-quality local products this is with no doubt one of the best markets to visit in Madrid.
This market is located next to gran Via and Plaza de España. The market has evolved and today most of it stands are dedicated to food from latin-america and China.
It is technically a reconstruction of the old market built in 1875 that was demolished with the construction of the third section of Gran Vía. This newer version of the market was inaugurated in 1946, is made up of three – the shopping center, offices, and warehouse – and it occupies an area of two thousand eight hundred square meters.
The old market was officially inaugurated on June 11, 1875, at the same time as the La Cebada market.
It currently has about 110 stalls inside specialized in Latin American and Asian gastronomy and in addition to fruit, meat, and fish stalls, there are two restaurant bars inside where Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) cuisine and other latitudes are served.
Find more information about Madrid in our city guide.
The Valencia Market or Central Market of Valencia is a public market located across from the “Lonja de la Seda” and the Church of Juanes in the heart of Valencia. It is home to a great number of stands that sell everything from fresh produce, to spices and charcuterie. The market itself is one of the most spectacular examples that you can find of Valencian Art Nouveau architecture in the City. Table of Contents The
Santiago food market (Mercado de Abastos)? This colorful permanent market is a vibrant space where locals and tourists alike mingle every day. The Mercado de Abastos or Santiago de Compostelamarket is open every day except Sundays and on holidays. The food market of Santiago was established 3 centuries ago, and it was always in the same location. The current building was built in 1941 after the demolition of the previous city market in 1937. After
La Boquería market is the most famous in Barcelona for purchasing fresh products. This emblematic market is located in La Rambla, the most commercial street of the city, so getting there is very easy. It is not surprising that this market is one of the most visited places in Barcelona. Officially known as the Sant Josep Market, La Boquería was built between 1840 and 1914. Nowadays it is a huge market which covers 2.583 m²
Mercat de Santa Caterina in Barcelona was opened to the public in 1845 as the food market and was built on an old convent. The main highlight of this market is the colourful roof which was built at the beginning of 21st century –the rest of the market is a neoclassic construction–. Mercat de Santa Caterina is located near Barcelona´s cathedral and Ciutadella Park. Inside Mercat de Santa Caterina, you will discover a traditional market
