Municipal markets (mercados municipales) versus supermarkets

Terms used

• Mercado municipal — A mercado municipal is a covered market owned by the town hall, with independent stalls inside.
• Charcutería — A charcutería is a shop selling cured hams, cold cuts, cheeses and sausages.
• Ultramarinos — An ultramarinos is a traditional small grocery selling tinned goods, dry goods, pulses, wine and basic staples.
• Carnicería — A carnicería is a butcher's shop selling fresh meat, sausages and often poultry.
• Pescadería — A pescadería is a fishmonger selling fresh fish and shellfish.
• Frutería — A frutería, also called a verdulería, is a shop selling fruit and vegetables.
• Pollería — A pollería is a shop selling poultry and eggs.
• Panadería — A panadería is a bakery selling bread and often pastries.

Key rules

• Market: Buy fish, quality meat and seasonal produce at the market, where freshness and advice are usually better.
• Supermarket: Buy packaged goods and standard cuts at the supermarket, where they are often cheaper.
• Prices: Prices vary by stall, city and season, so compare before you pick a regular stall.
• Hours: Markets are usually closed on Sundays and public holidays, so keep a supermarket as a backup.

The short answer

Use the market for fresh fish, good meat and seasonal produce. Use the supermarket for packaged goods, standard cuts and anything you want in one quick trip. Most people do both.

What a mercado municipal is

A mercado municipal is a covered market owned by the town hall. Inside, independent traders run individual stalls (puestos). You will usually find butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, delicatessen, bakeries, and eggs and poultry. Some markets also have a bar or a small supermarket.

Many have been renovated and are pleasant to shop in. A few, such as Mercat de la Boqueria, Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado Central de Valencia, are also tourist sights. The FAQ below covers whether those are good for everyday shopping.

Where the market is better

• Quality and freshness. Fish, quality meat and seasonal produce are generally better than at a supermarket.
• Advice. Stallholders can tell you which cut to buy and how to cook it. This helps a lot when you do not yet know the Spanish names for cuts.
• Seasonal and local produce. It can be cheaper than the supermarket.

Where the supermarket is better

• Price on standard items. Supermarkets, especially Mercadona and Lidl, are often cheaper for packaged and pre-prepared goods and for standard cuts.
• Convenience. Supermarkets are a single stop for everything.

Fish and meat at the market cost about the same as in a supermarket, or slightly more. Prices vary by stall, city and season, so compare a few stalls before you settle on one.

Opening hours

Markets are usually open Monday to Saturday mornings, roughly 8:00 to 14:30. Some open on Friday afternoons, or in the afternoon in larger cities. Many are closed on Sundays and public holidays, so plan your market shopping for earlier in the week or on Saturday morning. Hours vary by town, so check the notice at your own market.

Other specialist shops

Outside the market you will see single-product shops. You can use them the same way as market stalls.

• A carnicería sells fresh meat, sausages and often poultry.
• A pescadería sells fresh fish and shellfish.
• A panadería sells bread and often pastries.
• A frutería (or verdulería) sells fruit and vegetables.
• A charcutería sells cured hams, cold cuts, cheeses and sausages.
• An ultramarinos is a traditional small grocery for tinned goods, dry goods, pulses, wine and basic staples.
• A pollería sells poultry and eggs.

A sensible way to split the shop

1. Go to the market once or twice a week for fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, and bread.
2. Do one supermarket trip for packaged goods, cleaning products, drinks and standard cuts.
3. Buy cheese, cured ham and cold cuts at a market stall or charcutería if you want to taste before you buy.
4. Keep a supermarket as your fallback for Sundays and holidays.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a charcutería and an ultramarinos?

A charcutería sells cured hams, cold cuts, cheeses and sausages, while an ultramarinos is a traditional small grocery. The ultramarinos stocks tinned goods, dry goods, pulses, wine and basic staples. Go to the first for cold cuts and the second for pantry basics.

Which shop do I go to for eggs and poultry?

Go to a pollería for poultry and eggs, or to a carnicería, which often sells poultry too. Municipal markets usually have both types of stall. A pollería is a good place to ask how to cook a cut you do not know.

Are market stalls open on Sundays and holidays?

No, most municipal markets are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Opening hours are usually Monday to Saturday mornings, roughly 8:00 to 14:30. Some open on Friday afternoons, mainly in larger cities, so check your local market's hours.

Are the famous tourist markets a good place for everyday shopping?

Not always, because markets such as Mercat de la Boqueria, Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado Central de Valencia are also tourist sites. For weekly shopping, a quieter neighbourhood market near you is usually the better choice.