In Spain, there are traditional markets in every city. In Madrid, they can be found in almost every neighborhood, with several located very close to Marli House residences. Many of these markets are quite old and have been renovated to expand their offerings to visitors, making them beautiful places to visit: in addition to shopping, you can also go to eat and drink. These are essential stops on gastronomic routes.
San Miguel Market
This market, opened in 1916, is one of the most visited by tourists as it’s very close to Puerta del Sol and next to Plaza Mayor. Additionally, it’s a very attractive site after the renovations carried out in 2009. Today, it’s one of Madrid’s landmarks. Although not the cheapest, it’s the place where you can try gourmet appetizers and tapas thanks to the creations of renowned chefs, some of whom are Michelin-starred. It has 29 stalls and opens from Sunday to Thursday, from 10 am to 12 am, and on Fridays, Saturdays, and eve of holidays, from 10 am to 1 am. Where is it located? Very close to Marli House residences: at Plaza de San Miguel S/N, 200 meters from Plaza Mayor. You can learn more about its stalls on its website: https://mercadodesanmiguel.es/
San Fernando Market
The San Fernando Market has been located in the Lavapiés neighborhood since 1944, and you can find numerous stalls to taste foods and drinks, although there are also fruit stands, butchers, bakeries, and other shops where you can buy everyday provisions. The highlight of the market is that you can find a great gastronomic variety from Madrid, Asturias, El Bierzo, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Japan, Mexico, Uruguay, Greece, and Germany. A curious fact is that it’s the only place where you can buy books by weight. You’ll find it at Calle de Embajadores, 41, open from 9 am to 10 pm. If you want to see it before going, you can take a virtual tour at this link: https://mercadodesanfernando.es/visita-virtual/
San Antón Market
The San Antón Market, opened in 1945, is located in the central Chueca neighborhood, has three floors, and includes a supermarket. On the first floor, you’ll find perishable products in its twelve stalls. The second floor has eleven stalls where you can taste and enjoy cultural activities. On the third floor, there’s a restaurant and a large terrace where you can enjoy views of the Chueca neighborhood. The San Antón Market is located at Calle de Augusto Figueroa, 24, and opens from Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 12 am. Here you can see the market stalls: https://www.mercadosananton.com/puestos/
San Ildefonso Market The San Ildefonso Market was Madrid’s first covered market, covering about 700 square meters with 20 stalls and three bar service areas. It defines itself as Spain’s first Street Food Market, similar to those found in London, New York, or Singapore. In this market, you can also find different events. You can visit it at Calle de Fuencarral, 57, and it opens on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 7 pm to 12 am; Thursdays, from 6 pm to 12 am; Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 1 pm to 12 am, while it remains closed on Tuesdays. At this link, you can learn more about its stalls: https://www.mercadodesanildefonso.com/los-puestos-del-mercado-de-san-ildefonso/
Barceló Market
In the Malasaña neighborhood, you’ll find the Barceló Market, which was the first supermarket in Spain in 1956. In 2014, it was completely renovated to become what we know today. Here you can find a traditional market (with fruit shops, fishmongers, bakeries, poultry shops, butchers, ice cream shops, delicatessens, shoe stores, florists, watchmakers, haberdasheries, barbershops, and tobacco shops), a wide gastronomic offer in its Food Market Barceló, and a terrace with outdoor events. It is located at Calle Barceló, 6. Learn more about the market on its website: https://mercadobarcelo.es/
Antón Martín Market
This market was created in the 1950s to organize the street stalls located around the Plazuela del Metro Antón Martín. Today, it brings together neighbors who go to do their daily shopping but also others who go to enjoy its gastronomy. It houses about 80 premises and even a dance school. You can visit it at Calle Santa Isabel, 5, and its opening hours are from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 9 pm; Saturdays, from 9 am to 3 pm, while it remains closed on Sundays. Regarding its gastronomy, you can enjoy it from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 11:30 pm. Discover its offer on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mercantonmartin/
Vallehermoso Market
Vallehermoso Market was built in 1930 and has never gone unnoticed since then thanks to its architecture and colorful appearance. There you can taste and buy gourmet products made with raw materials from the same market. In the place, 62 stalls coexist, combining quality with good prices: butcher shops, fishmongers, fruit shops, grocery stores, poultry shops, and bakeries or stores with Italian products. There is also a tasting area to consume the products right there. The food area opens from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2:30 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturdays, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. On the other hand, restoration and producers open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 pm to 12 am, and on Sundays, from 12 pm to 5 pm. If you want to know more about this market, you can visit its website: http://mercadovallehermoso.es/
Los Mostenses Market
Another market not far from Marli House residences is Los Mostenses, located very close to Gran Vía and meters from Plaza de España. It offers cuisine from all over the world but also other services such as hairdressing or floristry. This market, in operation since 1946, opens in winter from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturdays, from 9 am to 2 pm. In summer, the hours are from Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 8 pm; Fridays, from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. It remains open on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm.
Maravillas Market
Although not as close to Marli House residences, it’s worth visiting the Maravillas Market, as it houses about 200 stalls from all over Spain, Latin America, and Asia, and is the largest in Madrid. Since 1942 it has been located in the Tetuán neighborhood, and you can take a metro or bus to get there in a few minutes. The best thing about this market is that it offers many gastronomic products that you can try at the stalls themselves, which is ideal if you want to travel to other places through flavors. You can also go for a walk, as it’s a special place to take photographs. The Maravillas Market is located at Bravo Murillo, 122. It opens from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturdays, from 9 am to 3 pm, while it remains closed on Sundays. If you want to know more, you can visit its website www.mercadodelasmaravillas.eu
La Paz Market
Since 1879, the La Paz Market has been open in the Salamanca neighborhood, although it was renovated in the 1940s. Today it offers a wide variety of products thanks to its 70 stalls. If you like to try foods from other countries, you can find French, Italian, or Venezuelan products, although there are also butchers, delicatessens, frozen foods, fruit shops, herbalists, florists, and fishmongers. La Paz Market is located at Calle Ayala, 28, and its website is www.mercadodelapaz.es. It is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 8 pm; Saturdays, from 9 am to 2:30 pm, while it remains closed on Sundays.
We hope this guide is useful for you to discover these spaces that will surely surprise you. In them, you can get to know the city a little more in-depth. Enjoy!
