Mercado Central (Central Market), Valencia (must see)
The Central Market, or Mercado Central, is a historic public market in the center of Valencia. This market is notable for being one of the largest in Europe. It also has an unusual design with a multi-layered roof and colorful window panels.
The location of the building was originally an open-air market called Mercat Nou. It dated to 1839. However, the city decided to enclose the market and used a contest to find an architect. The city chose a Valencian Art Nouveau design by Alexandre Soler March and Francesc Gu脿rdia Vidal to create the space. Groundbreaking on the building began in 1914. It was completed in 1928.
Most of the vendors at the Central Market sell food. Butchers might offer cuts of pork, mutton, beef, oxen and freshly prepared sausage. They also sell prepared foods like burgers and steak. Those wanting to find something less common can search for vendors who sell snails, sweetbreads and tripe.
Other foods available at the Mercado Central include cheeses, spices, fruits, vegetables, nuts, pastries and shellfish. Gourmet offerings include wine, beer, spirits, olive oil, honey, jams and much more.
There are a few vendors who sell souvenirs and non-food gift items. A lucky shopper may be able to find clothing, perfume, jewelry, accessories and ceramics at reasonable prices.
Mercado Central is a popular spot for locals to do their grocery shopping. It is also very popular with tourists who want to try local cuisine, have the experience of shopping in a historic market and find souvenirs to take home.
Why You Should Visit:
- To enjoy a few hours of shopping with locals
- To try local food you may not see anywhere else
- To pick up souvenirs to take home
Tips:
The market is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 3 PM. A few vendors may be willing to negotiate prices, but most products are already marked at a reasonable rate.
The location of the building was originally an open-air market called Mercat Nou. It dated to 1839. However, the city decided to enclose the market and used a contest to find an architect. The city chose a Valencian Art Nouveau design by Alexandre Soler March and Francesc Gu脿rdia Vidal to create the space. Groundbreaking on the building began in 1914. It was completed in 1928.
Most of the vendors at the Central Market sell food. Butchers might offer cuts of pork, mutton, beef, oxen and freshly prepared sausage. They also sell prepared foods like burgers and steak. Those wanting to find something less common can search for vendors who sell snails, sweetbreads and tripe.
Other foods available at the Mercado Central include cheeses, spices, fruits, vegetables, nuts, pastries and shellfish. Gourmet offerings include wine, beer, spirits, olive oil, honey, jams and much more.
There are a few vendors who sell souvenirs and non-food gift items. A lucky shopper may be able to find clothing, perfume, jewelry, accessories and ceramics at reasonable prices.
Mercado Central is a popular spot for locals to do their grocery shopping. It is also very popular with tourists who want to try local cuisine, have the experience of shopping in a historic market and find souvenirs to take home.
Why You Should Visit:
- To enjoy a few hours of shopping with locals
- To try local food you may not see anywhere else
- To pick up souvenirs to take home
Tips:
The market is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 3 PM. A few vendors may be willing to negotiate prices, but most products are already marked at a reasonable rate.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valencia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Mercado Central (Central Market) on Map
Sight Name: Mercado Central (Central Market)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Valencia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Valencia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Valencia's Classical Architecture Tour
Gazing upon the multitude of styles on the facades of Valencia 鈥� Renaissance, Baroque, Modernist, Beaux-Art, Art Nouveau, and more 鈥� makes one realize that this is more than just a Mediterranean coastal destination with beautiful beaches. Colorful and diverse, the 鈥渃apital of Turia鈥� boasts a wealth of architectural treasures that make it more contrasting and delicate than any other city in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Contemporary Architecture Walk
With one foot in the past and the other one in the future, it is hard to find a European city more architecturally intriguing than Valencia. Among the multitude of styles, Valencia particularly excels at the cutting-edge contemporary architecture. She owes it to her own born and bred architect, Santiago Calatrava, renowned for his hyper-modern-surreal designs.
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Home to most of Valencia's main tourist attractions, the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is undoubtedly the most charming part of the city, reflecting its history and retaining its star-shaped medieval layout. Formerly a walled town from the Roman period, this area saw its major development commence in the 14th-15th centuries, the most tangible remains of which now are Torres de Serranos (Serranos... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Valencia Introduction Walking Tour
Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, boasts an ancient lineage dating back to 138 BC when it was established as a colony for Roman war veterans. Originally christened "Valentia," which means valor, a tribute to the battle-hardened soldiers, it eventually evolved into Valencia through gradual phonetic changes.
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 75 BC, the city faced destruction at the hands of Pompey the Great,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles