Barcelona has long had La Boquería market, but Madrid now has its own market that is a bit of a chameleon. By day it is a traditional market selling everything from produce to fresh fish, but by night it’s jam-packed and overflowing with people looking to have some wine, beer and tapas and have a good time.
Located in the heart of Madrid on the Plaza de San Miguel near the Plaza Mayor, the beautiful cast-iron building was first opened in May 1916, and it served as a market until the late 1990s, when it fell into disrepair. The building was bought by a group of investors, and it reopened in May 2009 and has been a popular site with both locals and tourists alike. During the day you will find housewives buying fresh fish, olives, cheese and meats from the more than 30 vendors who operate the stalls in the market. At night the feel of the market changes completely, and people are crowding around the small stalls enjoying drinks and sampling a variety of tapas and other prepared foods.
The market is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. So even if you spend the day shopping or visiting museums, you can always find the time to visit the Mercado San Miguel at night.
- Plaza de San Miguel, s/n
- Madrid, Spain
- Phone: +34 (91) 542 49 36
- Website: Mercado San Miguel
Photo credit: Mercado de San Miguel
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