We Live Here. We Shop Here. We Know These Markets.

Our Story

When we first moved to Spain, we were overwhelmed. Every town seemed to have markets on different days, each with its own personality. Atarazanas in Malaga was a food lover's paradise. The Sunday rastro in Fuengirola was chaos in the best way. The quiet Wednesday market in Estepona had the freshest vegetables we'd ever tasted.

We started keeping notes - which markets were worth the trip, which stalls had the best products, what days to avoid. Friends visiting from back home would ask for recommendations, and we'd send them our scribbled lists. Eventually, we realised other people might find this useful too.

What Makes Us Different

We've physically visited every market on this site. Not just walked through - we've boughtgambas from the fish counter at Mercado de la Merced, haggled for vintage furniture at the Granada rastro, and queued alongside Spanish grandmothers for the best tomatoes in Mijas.

We speak enough Spanish to chat with stallholders and understand the signs. We know which markets have changed their hours post-COVID and which ones have sadly closed. We update our listings when we notice something's different - because we're actually there, regularly.

Our Coverage

We focus primarily on Andalucia - the autonomous community we know best. This includes the provinces of Malaga, Cadiz, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Jaen, Huelva, and Almeria. Within this region, we cover:

• Municipal Markets (Mercados): The permanent covered markets found in most Spanish towns. These are where locals buy daily essentials - fresh fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, olives, and cheese.
• Street Markets (Mercadillos & Rastros): Weekly open-air markets selling everything from clothing and household goods to antiques and local crafts. These typically run one morning per week.
• Specialist Markets: Organic markets, artisan fairs, night markets, and seasonal events that offer something beyond the ordinary.

How We Research

We try to visit as many markets as we can personally. We note the layout, the key stalls, the atmosphere, and the practical details that matter - parking, accessibility, the best time to arrive. We cross-reference our observations with official sources: the Junta de Andalucia market registry, municipal websites, and local business associations.

For markets we can't visit ourselves, we reach out on expat forums and local community groups to gather first-hand accounts from people who know them well. We also maintain relationships with stallholders and market administrators who alert us to changes. When a market moves location (as the Fuengirola rastro did in 2023) or a beloved stall closes, we hear about it and update accordingly.

Supporting Local Markets

Spanish markets are under pressure. Supermarkets are convenient. Online shopping is easy. But markets offer something irreplaceable: human connection, product quality you can see and touch, and economic support that stays in the community.

Every euro spent at a market stall goes to a local family - the fisherman who caught those sardines at dawn, the farmer who grew those peppers, the artisan who crafted that leather bag. We believe markets are worth preserving, and we hope this guide helps more people discover them.

Get in Touch

Spotted an error? Know a market we've missed? We genuinely want to hear from you. Local knowledge from residents and regular visitors helps us keep this guide accurate and comprehensive.