If you like your food fresh and your shopping lively, the Mercat Central de València (Central Market of Valencia) is the place to be.
It is one of Europe’s biggest fresh food markets right in the heart of Valencia’s old town.
This enormous market covers over 8,000 square metres and packs in around 1,200 stalls. You will find just about everything. From seafood fresh from the Mediterranean, towers of colourful fruit and veg, a plethora of cheese, and of course, all the essentials for a proper paella.
It is not just about the food, though. The fish section alone is worth a visit. Vendors shout out prices, regulars gossip, and someone always seems to be laughing about something. Most of the produce comes straight from the fertile Huerta de València, the local farmland that keeps the city’s kitchens stocked year-round.
Not just for shopping
When you have done your shopping, grab a coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice at one of the bars. Or, if you are in the mood for something a bit special, stop by Central Bar, run by Michelin-starred chef Ricard Camarena. The tapas are first-rate, and you can watch your lunch being prepared using ingredients from the stalls right next door.
And then there is the building itself, an Art Nouveau masterpiece. Built between 1914 and 1928, it is full of colourful tiles, ironwork, and a spectacular glass dome topped with a parrot-shaped weather vane.
Stallholders are friendly, patient with anyone practising their Spanish (or Valencian), and always ready with a cooking tip or two.
How to find the Mercat Central de València
Mercado Central de València is located at Plaça de la Ciutat de Bruges, 46001 Valencia. It is right next to the Lonja de la Seda and across from Santos Juanes Church.
The easiest way to get there is by metro. Hop on Line 3, 5 or 9 and get off at Xàtiva or Colón stations, both just a 10-minute walk away. Buses 5, 8, 27 and 73 also stop nearby.
The Mercat Central de València is open Monday to Saturday, from 07:30 to 15:00. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
