Mercado de Abastos Algeciras
At a Glance
Best Time
8-11am
Vendors
60+ stalls
Speciality
Seafood
Price Level
€€
Parking
Nearby
Local Tip
Architecture first, shopping second - Even if you're not buying, this market is worth visiting for the dome alone. Stand in the centre of the octagonal hall and look up - you're beneath what was once the largest dome in the world.
Video Tour of Mercado de Abastos Algeciras
Where to Stay in Algeciras
Find the best hotels near the market. We recommend staying in the city center for easy access.
Find HotelsOpening Hours
What You'll Find
Highlights
A Market and a Monument
The Mercado de Abastos de Algeciras is unlike any other market in Spain.
Yes, you'll find fresh fish, local produce, and excellent tapas, but you'll also be standing beneath an engineering marvel that held the Guinness World Record for 30 years.
Known locally as Mercado Ingeniero Torroja, this 1935 building combines rationalist architecture with a functioning food market.
It's a case study for architecture students across Spain and a Bien de Interés Cultural (National Heritage Site), yet it remains a place where locals do their daily shopping.
The World's Largest Dome (1935-1965)
The market's fame rests on its extraordinary octagonal dome, designed by pioneering civil engineer Eduardo Torroja Miret in collaboration with architect Manuel Sánchez Arcas.
When completed in 1935, this thin-shell concrete dome was the largest in the world, a title it held for three decades until 1965.
The structure exemplified the rationalist movement: functional, modern, stripped of unnecessary decoration, yet undeniably beautiful.
Torroja was a visionary whose work influenced engineers worldwide. His Algeciras market dome remains one of Spain's most important 20th-century architectural achievements.
History of the Market
1827: Original market established on the Plaza Nuestra Señora de la Palma site
1935: Current building inaugurated, designed by Eduardo Torroja and Manuel Sánchez Arcas. The dome immediately becomes an architectural sensation.
1965: After 30 years, larger domes finally surpass Torroja's design - but the market's significance remains
Cultural Heritage: The Junta de Andalucía designates the building a Bien de Interés Cultural, protecting it as a National Heritage monument
Today, the market serves the same purpose it always has - feeding the people of Algeciras - while drawing architecture enthusiasts from across Spain and beyond.
Seafood from the Strait of Gibraltar
Algeciras sits at one of the world's great fishing crossroads: the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. The fish stalls here benefit from exceptional access to two seas.
What to Look For
| Seafood | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gambas rojas | Red prawns from the Bay of Algeciras - sweet and firm |
| Atún rojo | Bluefin tuna, especially during spring almadraba season |
| Boquerones | Fresh anchovies - superior to those from calmer waters |
| Pez espada | Swordfish from the Strait |
| Urta | Red-banded sea bream - prized in Cádiz province |
| Chocos | Cuttlefish, often served fried |
The mingling of Atlantic currents and Mediterranean warmth creates ideal conditions for diverse fish populations. What arrives at this market is genuinely exceptional.
Market Layout and Stalls
The octagonal floor plan radiates from the central dome, with approximately 60 stalls arranged around the hall:
Indoor Stalls
- Fish and seafood - The heart of the market, with the freshest catch from local boats
- Butchers - Iberian pork, local beef, and prepared meats
- Charcutería - Cured hams, chorizo, and regional specialties
- Cheese vendors - Including payoyo from the nearby Sierra
Outdoor Section
Local producers set up outside with:
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Citrus from the Campo de Gibraltar
- Olives and olive oil
- Fresh herbs
Where to Eat: Bar Antonio
Bar Antonio (Stall 24) is the market's social hub. This traditional bar is known for:
- Pescaíto frito - perfectly fried mixed fish
- Calamares - tender, golden-fried calamari
- Tapas - simple, fresh, well-executed
Prices are reasonable - small portions start around €5, offering excellent value for fresh seafood cooked to order. Stand at the counter with locals and watch the market activity around you.
Visiting Tips
Best times:
- 8:00-10:00: Freshest seafood, fishmongers unloading the morning catch
- 10:00-12:00: Full activity, all stalls open, good atmosphere
- After 12:00: Stalls begin closing as stock sells out
Saturday is the busiest day. The market closes for the afternoon, so don't arrive expecting evening shopping.
Photography: The dome is spectacular to photograph. Stand in the centre for the best perspective. Early morning light through the windows is particularly good.
Do's
- Look up - the dome is the real attraction
- Arrive early for the freshest fish selection
- Try the fried fish at Bar Antonio
- Visit on Saturday for the liveliest atmosphere
- Photograph the dome from the centre of the hall
Don'ts
- Rush through - take time to appreciate the architecture
- Arrive after 1pm - stalls close early
- Miss the outdoor produce stalls
- Forget cash for smaller purchases
- Skip the red prawns if they're available
Getting There
The market occupies Plaza Nuestra Señora de la Palma (also called Plaza Baja) in central Algeciras:
- On foot: Central location, walkable from most of the city centre
- By car: Street parking available nearby; the port area has larger car parks
- By bus: Multiple local lines stop within walking distance
- From the port: 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal (useful if arriving from Morocco)
Algeciras Context
Algeciras is Spain's largest port and the gateway to Africa - ferries to Tangier and Ceuta depart throughout the day. If you're passing through, the market makes an excellent stop for authentic local food and remarkable architecture.
Location & Map
Plaza Ntra. Sra. de la Palma, 43, Algeciras, Cádiz, 11201, Algeciras
Frequently Asked Questions
The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays. Stalls begin closing from midday when stock sells out, so arrive early for the best selection.
The market is renowned for its dome - designed by engineer Eduardo Torroja in 1935, it was the world's largest dome for 30 years (until 1965). The building is a designated National Heritage Site (Bien de Interés Cultural) and a landmark of 20th-century Spanish architecture.
The market was designed by pioneering civil engineer Eduardo Torroja Miret in collaboration with architect Manuel Sánchez Arcas. It opened in 1935 and exemplifies the rationalist architectural movement.
Look for gambas rojas (red prawns) from the Bay of Algeciras, fresh bluefin tuna (especially during spring almadraba season), boquerones (anchovies), and urta (red-banded sea bream). The Strait of Gibraltar location means exceptional seafood variety.
Yes, Bar Antonio (stall 24) serves excellent fried fish, calamari, and tapas. Prices start around €5 for small portions. It's a popular spot with locals for quick, fresh seafood.
Absolutely - even if you're not shopping, the architecture alone is worth the visit. Stand in the centre and look up at the octagonal dome that was once the world's largest. It's both a functioning market and an architectural monument.
The market is about a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal. It's a convenient stop if you're arriving from or departing to Morocco (Tangier) or Ceuta.
Mercado Ingeniero Torroja is the local name for Mercado de Abastos Algeciras, named after its designer Eduardo Torroja Miret. The engineer's innovative dome design made the building famous worldwide.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or thoroughly researched. Your support helps us continue to provide free travel guides and tips. Thank you for your support!
Explore more markets in
Markets in Cadiz