For many Costa Blanca residents, market day still means a weekly trip for fresh fruit and vegetables, household goods and a browse around the stalls.
That tradition remains particularly strong across Orihuela, where a network of weekly markets stretches from the city centre and surrounding villages to Orihuela Costa.
The Markets Department is preparing a new application process for available pitches across the municipality.
From Orihuela to Playa Flamenca
Orihuela has an extensive network of weekly markets.
The largest operates on avenida Marqués de Molins in Orihuela, with space for up to 320 stalls.
Playa Flamenca has become the second largest, with around 300 pitches. Its size reflects the popularity of weekly markets among residents and visitors on Orihuela Costa.
La Murada follows with 200 stalls, while Orihuela Centro has 170.
Campoamor, also on Orihuela Costa, has 130 pitches.
Smaller markets operate in La Aparecida, San Bartolomé, Desamparados, Torremendo and the historic centre of Orihuela. A small weekly market has also started in Arneva.
Council wants more traders
Markets councillor Noelia Grao says some weekly markets have lost traders in recent years.
The council now wants to fill vacant spaces and increase the range of goods and services available.
The new application process will target both people who want to start working as market traders and existing traders who want pitches at additional locations.
Orihuela previously offered 58 vacant pitches in 2024 across markets in Desamparados, San Bartolomé, Torremendo, La Aparecida and avenida Marqués de Molins.
Not all of those spaces attracted successful applicants.
More than somewhere to shop
Weekly markets remain an important part of everyday life across the Vega Baja.
For smaller communities, they can give residents access to products they might otherwise need to travel elsewhere to buy.
They also bring people into town and provide extra footfall for nearby shops, cafés and other businesses.
Market day has an especially long history in Orihuela. Tuesday has remained the traditional market day for centuries and continues to bring additional activity to the city.
On Orihuela Costa, large markets such as Playa Flamenca and Campoamor have also become regular fixtures for the area’s international population.
How to apply for a market pitch
The council has not yet published the full details of the new application process.
Once the administrative preparations finish, it will announce which markets have vacancies, how many pitches are available and the deadline for applications.
Traders will also need to meet the relevant legal requirements.
During the previous application process, successful applicants had to commit to registering with Social Security and the Spanish tax authorities. They also needed the required public liability insurance.
Some previous applications failed because applicants did not meet the requirements or provide all the necessary documents.
The council hopes the next round will attract more traders and help maintain a shopping tradition that remains part of weekly life across Orihuela and Orihuela Costa.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Orihuela Town Council is preparing a new application process for vacant market pitches.
- The municipality has a large network of weekly markets across Orihuela, its villages and Orihuela Costa.
- Avenida Marqués de Molins has space for up to 320 stalls.
- Playa Flamenca is the second largest, with around 300.
- Campoamor has around 130 pitches.
- The council wants to attract new traders and replace sellers lost in recent years.
- Both new and existing market traders will be able to apply.
- The council has not yet announced the available pitches or application deadline.
- Applicants will need to meet the relevant tax, Social Security and insurance requirements.
