Markets of Valencia

One of the oldest markets in Europe, with over 8 centuries of history, it is still buzzing in a stunning building which is worth seeing whether you want to shop or not. Mercado Central is the pride of Valencia. It is a food market with authentic Valencian produce, where you can buy ingredients for your evening meal, or find rare Valencian delicacies that make a good souvenir

Quite a few shops are open here throughout the week (with lots of typical Valencian ceramics) but it really gets going on Sundays. Good sold here are general items of all sorts, esp accessories, with a lot of brick-a-brack but you can also find quite a few good souvenirs and bizarre stuff. Various Valencian ceramics are also sold in quantities.

Just by the Mestalla Stadium, this market is impossible to describe. Anything that can't be normally sold is sold here. From totally useless items to bicycles, rare finds and antiques, every stall is a whole world of its own. El Rastro has some reputation for being a thief's market but this is grossly exaggerated. Perhaps a few stolen items are indeed on sale, but it is generally run by honest traders who know their stuff. An excellent place to buy souvenirs - real items from this city, not the mass produced tourist merchandise.

Very close to the centre, abig market selling general items in a cosmopolitan immigrant neighbourhood, mainly clothes, accessories and household stuff. Good place to buy cheap clothes and other undemanding stuff, like batteries, bags, toys, alarm clocks, etc, you get the idea. The prices are low but dont expect fantastic quality or style. Still, you can easily find a good bargain. This market rolls out on Mondays, in the streets adjacent to the Mercado de Ruzafa building (the Ruzafa's indoors food market)

The same kind of stuff as in Mercado de Ruzafa (above) is sold in the old authentic fisherman district of Cabanyal, close to the sea. It is probably the biggest street market in Valencia. A great, buzzing, authentic Spanish vibe - a cultural experience.

This is a nickname for a few stalls around Mercado Central (see above), carrying on to the backstreets of Pz Merced. it isn't actually that hippy - more of the general stuff like Valencian souvenirs, accessories, clothes, art, etc. Tt simmers more or less everyday, with the weekends much busier.

This market is on the gorgeous promenade along the beach, at the southern part of it closest to the Port. It offers a motley range of stalls, from clothes, accessories and beach itmes, to souvenirs and ethnic artesania. In the summer (i.e. beach weather from may / April onwards) it opens every day, at other times - on Sundays. It is also the only market to go late - until 5-6pm.