Mercado El Palo Malaga
At a Glance
Best Time
8-11am
Vendors
70+ stalls
Speciality
Seafood
Price Level
€€
Parking
Nearby
Local Tip
Market then beach - Shop in the morning, then walk 5 minutes to the chiringuitos for espetos (sardines grilled on the sand). Los Marineros, El Cenacho, and Gaby are local favourites. Espetos cost around €2.
Where to Stay in Malaga
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
Málaga's Fishing Village Market
El Palo still feels like a village, not a suburb.
Separated from Málaga proper by the Jaboneros stream, this fishing community only got paved streets in the mid-1980s.
It has its own cemetery, police station, football field, and its own market.
Mercado de El Palo is where this community shops.
70 stalls in a modern glass building, fish from local boats, and an atmosphere that tells you exactly where you are: Málaga's authentic fishing barrio.
History
The market's origins go back to 1963, replacing scattered ambulant vendors with a proper covered hall. As El Palo modernised, so did its market needs.
In 2006, architect Ignacio Dorao designed the current building - a €1.7 million glass-fronted structure with:
- Natural light flooding the interior
- Modern amenities and good ventilation
- 1,680 m² across 70 stalls
- Well-planned layout with wide aisles
The investment aimed to elevate quality while preserving the local character that makes El Palo what it is.
What to Buy
Fish and Seafood
The heart of the market. Being in a fishing barrio means:
- Fresh Mediterranean catch, sometimes hours old
- Early morning deliveries from local boats
- Sardines, anchovies, squid, prawns
- Fish cleaned and prepared to order
Produce
Seasonal fruits and vegetables:
- Local farms from the Axarquía
- Tropical fruits - Málaga's speciality
- Fresh herbs
Specialty Stalls
- Dried fruits and nuts
- Artisan cheeses
- Gourmet products
Bar/Cafetería
Coffee and tapas inside - where locals gather mid-shop.
Beyond the Market: Espetos on the Beach
El Palo's beach is a 5-minute walk. The famous espetos de sardinas - sardines skewered on reeds and grilled over wood fires on the sand - are Málaga's signature dish.
Best chiringuitos (beach bars):
- Los Marineros
- El Cenacho
- Gaby
Espetos cost around €2 - buy fish at the market, then eat on the beach.
Getting There
El Palo is east of central Málaga:
- By bus: Lines 3 and 11 from Alameda Principal
- By car: 15 minutes from downtown, parking available
- On foot: Walkable from Pedregalejo
The market is on Calle Alonso Carrillo de Albornoz - ask any local.
Do's
- Buy fish here, then walk to the beach for espetos
- Arrive early for the freshest catch
- Stop at the bar for coffee and tapas
- Explore El Palo village - it's charming
- Take bus 3 or 11 from the centre
Don'ts
- Miss the beach chiringuitos - they're the whole point
- Expect tourist polish - this is fishing village authentic
- Skip the fish section - it's why you came
- Rush through - enjoy the pace of village life
For central options, see our Málaga markets guide.
Location & Map
C. Alonso Carrillo de Albornoz, 5, Málaga, 29017, Malaga
Frequently Asked Questions
The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm. Closed Sundays.
Yes, the El Palo beach is about 5 minutes walk. You can shop at the market then head to the chiringuitos for espetos (grilled sardines). Los Marineros, El Cenacho, and Gaby are popular.
Espetos de sardinas are Málaga's signature dish - sardines skewered on reeds and grilled over wood fires on the beach sand. El Palo is one of the best places to try them, costing around €2.
El Palo is Málaga's traditional fishing village. Still relatively separate from the city, it has its own cemetery, police station, and football field. The fishing fleet is smaller now, but the heritage remains.
Buses 3 and 11 run from Alameda Principal in central Málaga. By car it's about 15 minutes from downtown. The market is in the heart of El Palo village.
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