Weekly street markets (mercadillos) and how they differ from covered markets

Key rules

• Best buys: Buy produce, basic clothing, linen and household goods; skip electronics, perfume and anything needing a guarantee.
• Cash: Bring cash and keep valuables close, as pickpockets work crowded stalls.
• Schedule: Each town hall sets its own market day and place, so check locally before you go.

What a mercadillo is

A mercadillo is an open-air street market, held on a set day each week. Larger towns may hold one more often. It is good for some produce and a few basic goods, and poor value for other things.

It is not the same as a covered market (mercado municipal). A covered market is a permanent building, open daily except Sunday, and it mainly sells fresh food. A mercadillo is temporary and run by licensed traders with town hall permission. Most stalls sell things other than food: clothing, shoes, textiles, household goods and accessories. Some stalls sell plants, crafts or food. Some markets, like the Rastro in Madrid, are flea markets for second-hand goods.

What to buy

Prices are often good for:

• fruit and vegetables, where a market has them
• basic clothing, socks and underwear
• bed linen and towels
• kitchen and household goods
• leather bags and belts
• plants and local crafts

Quality varies by stall, so look closely before you pay.

What to avoid

Skip anything where quality or authenticity is hard to check:

• electronics
• perfumes and cosmetics
• branded goods that may be counterfeit
• anything that needs a guarantee or a receipt

Money and safety

Bring cash. Haggling is not usual at regular mercadillos, though it may work at flea markets. Crowds attract pickpockets, so keep your valuables in a safe inner pocket.

Finding your local market

Days and places are set by each town hall. Search your town hall (ayuntamiento) website for "mercadillo", "mercado ambulante" or "venta ambulante". The page is usually under Comercio, Mercados or Servicios. It gives the weekday, hours and place, often a fixed square, car park or fairground. Large cities may publish a market calendar.

If you find nothing online, call or visit the town hall's commerce department or the local tourist office. Neighbours know too. The checklist below sums this up.

Checklist

• Note the weekday, hours and location the page gives, often a fixed square, car park or fairground.

• Call or visit the town hall's commerce department or the local tourist office if the market is not listed online, or ask neighbours.

• Buy fruit and vegetables, basic clothing, socks and underwear, bed linen and towels, kitchen and household goods, leather bags and belts, plants and local crafts, which are good value.

• Skip electronics, perfumes and cosmetics, possibly counterfeit branded goods, and anything that needs a guarantee or receipt.

• Bring cash and keep your valuables in a safe inner pocket.

Frequently asked questions

Can I haggle at a mercadillo?

Usually no, because bargaining is not normal at regular mercadillos. It may work at flea markets, where second-hand goods are sold, such as the Rastro in Madrid. If you try, stay polite and be ready to pay the price on the label.

Should I carry cash to a mercadillo?

Yes, carry cash, because many stalls are small and may not take cards. Keep your money and phone in a safe inner pocket, since pickpockets work crowded markets.

Is a mercadillo open every day like a covered market?

No, a mercadillo is normally held once a week on a set day, or more often in larger towns. A covered market (mercado municipal) is a permanent building open daily except Sunday. Your town hall sets the mercadillo's day and place.