Pirates, fire shows, juggling and more than 50 stalls are sailing into Torrevieja this weekend as the Mercado Marinero returns to Paseo Vista Alegre.
The three-day maritime market opens on Friday 23 October and runs until Sunday 25 October, turning the seafront into a lively mix of craft stalls, food, music and street entertainment.
There is plenty happening for families, with pirate characters roaming the market, musical parades throughout the weekend and performances continuing into the evening.
More than 50 stalls along Vista Alegre
More than 50 traders from across Spain will set up at the market, selling
handmade goods, jewellery, decorations and maritime-themed products.
Food stalls will offer regional products and snacks, while tavern and hospitality areas will provide somewhere to stop for a drink or something to eat.
The market itself is only part of the attraction. Entertainment will pop up throughout each day, so do not be surprised if your quiet browse for a bracelet is interrupted by a pirate, a band or somebody juggling fire.
Pirates arrive on Friday evening
The market opens at 18:00 on Friday with A Troublesome Pirate and live music.
At 19:30, The Secret of Blackbeard takes over, followed by the musical parade Echoes of Distant Ports at 20:30.
Things heat up at 21:30 with Fire in the Bay, followed by another musical parade at 22:30.
The market closes at 23:00.
Saturday is the big day
Saturday has the busiest programme, with the market opening at 11:00.
The morning starts with the musical parade Secrets of the Ocean at 11:30, followed by A Pirate Adrift at 12:00 and The Captain’s Band at 13:00.
Land Ahoy! follows at 13:30 before the market takes its lunchtime break at 14:00.
Things get going again at 18:00 with The Time Traveller. Tides in Song follows at 18:30, with A Lost Castaway at 19:30 and Echoes of Distant Ports at 20:30.
At 21:30, there will be a pirate-themed juggling and fire show, followed by a final musical parade at 22:30.
Saturday’s market closes at 23:00.
A final Sunday by the sea
Sunday begins at 11:00, with Tides in Song bringing music to the market at midday.
Secrets of the Ocean follows at 13:30 before the lunchtime break begins at 14:00.
The market reopens at 18:00 with To the Rhythm of the Tide, followed by Mysteries of the Sea at 19:30.
The farewell musical parade begins at 20:45, with the Mercado Marinero closing for another year at 22:00.
Mercado Marinero opening times
On Friday 23 October, the market is open from 18:00 to 23:00.
On Saturday 24 October, it opens from 11:00 to 14:00 and again from 18:00 to 23:00.
Sunday 25 October follows the same split schedule, opening from 11:00 to 14:00 and again from 18:00 until 22:00.
With food, shopping and plenty of street entertainment packed into three days, it should be a nice weekend wander for anyone in Torrevieja. Pirate costume optional.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Torrevieja’s Mercado Marinero runs from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.
- The market takes place on Paseo Vista Alegre.
- More than 50 traders from across Spain will take part.
- Stalls include crafts, jewellery, decorations, food and regional products.
- Pirate characters, music, street shows, juggling and fire performances are planned.
- Friday’s market runs from 18:00 to 23:00.
- Saturday opens from 11:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 23:00.
- Sunday opens from 11:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 22:00.
