Mercado Virgen del Rosario Cadiz
At a Glance
Best Time
8-11am
Vendors
37+ stalls
Speciality
Seafood
Price Level
€€
Local Tip
Evening tapas at the Rincón Gastronómico - Unlike the main market, the bars reopen in the evenings for tapas and drinks. A different atmosphere from the morning shopping crowd.
Video Tour of Mercado Virgen del Rosario Cadiz
Where to Stay in Cadiz
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
Modern Market, Maritime Soul
Mercado Virgen del Rosario is Cádiz's answer to 21st-century market design.
Opened in 2003, it replaced two older markets (San Severiano and La Merced) with a single, purpose-built facility in the Puerta Tierra area.
The result: 37 stalls in an air-conditioned, marble-clad hall with seabed-themed decor; soft blues, wave patterns, and aquatic motifs that nod to the city's maritime heritage.
History
The market was born from necessity.
Two ageing markets, San Severiano (opened 1953) and La Merced (dating from 1935), were no longer fit for purpose.
Rather than renovate both, the city merged them into a single modern facility.
Construction delivered:
- 1,116 m² sales floor
- Basement loading zone with cargo elevator
- Mezzanine for offices, restrooms, security
- Full air conditioning and modern refrigeration
In November 2025, the market added a Rincón Gastronómico - tapas bars offering prepared food and drinks.
What to Buy
Fish and Seafood
The centrepiece. Modern drainage and cooling systems keep:
- Fresh tuna, shrimp, cuttlefish
- Atlantic catch on chilled marble counters
- Fish cleaned and prepared to order
Meat and Charcutería
Local butchers offer:
- Regional meats
- Chicharrones - crispy pork crackling, a Cádiz specialty
- Cured products
Produce
Seasonal vegetables from nearby farms - tomatoes, peppers, citrus, greens.
Cheese and Wine
Regional specialties from the Sierra de Cádiz and Jerez bodegas.
Cafetería
Coffee and tapas for a mid-shop break.
Rincón Gastronómico
The newest addition - tapas bars serving prepared food:
| Hours | Days |
|---|---|
| Morning | Mon-Sat (with market) |
| Evening | Daily (bars only) |
The evening session transforms the market into a social space for tapas and drinks.
Do's
- Return in the evening for tapas at the Rincón Gastronómico
- Try the chicharrones - a Cádiz classic
- Appreciate the seabed-themed design
- Cool down inside during summer heat
Don'ts
- Miss the evening bar hours
- Skip the fish section - the facilities are excellent
- Forget the wines from Jerez
Getting There
The market is on Calle Marqués de la Ensenada in Puerta Tierra:
- By bus: Lines serving the Puerta Tierra area
- On foot: 15 minutes from the old town
- By car: Easier parking than old town markets
For the historic market experience, visit Mercado Central. For all options, see our Cádiz markets guide.
Location & Map
C. Marqués de la Ensenada, Cádiz, 11008, Cadiz
Frequently Asked Questions
The main market is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 3pm. The Rincón Gastronómico bars also open in the evenings daily for tapas and drinks.
The market opened in 2003, replacing two older markets (San Severiano and La Merced). A Rincón Gastronómico with tapas bars was added in November 2025.
It's Cádiz's most modern market, with air conditioning, marble counters, and seabed-themed decor. The Rincón Gastronómico adds evening tapas bars to the daytime market.
The market has 37 stalls selling fish, meat, produce, cheese, and wine, plus a cafetería and the new Rincón Gastronómico tapas bars.
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