Mercat Central de València

The Mercat Central de València is far more than a place to do the shopping: it's one of Europe's largest fresh-food markets and one of the high points of Valencian Art Nouveau. Beneath its great domes of iron, glass and polychrome ceramics, more than 250 stalls line up, glowing with fruit and vegetables from the huerta, Mediterranean fish, cured meats, spices and cheeses. It stands on the Plaça del Mercat, directly opposite the Silk Exchange and the church of the Santos Juanes.

History and architecture

The building opened in 1928, the fruit of a competition won by architects Alexandre Soler i March and Francesc Guàrdia i Vial, trained at the Barcelona school alongside Domènech i Montaner; the works were finished by Enrique Viedma and Ángel Romaní. The result is more than 8,000 m² of trading floor covered by a sequence of domes, the central one over 30 metres high, in a display of light, wrought iron and tilework that pays homage to the produce of land and sea.

What to see and buy

• The domes and stained glass, which flood the hall with light; look up.
• The cotorra del Mercat, the parrot-shaped weathervane crowning the dome, and the swordfish that turns above the fish section.
• The fresh-produce stalls and the little bars for a stand-up almuerzo.

Practical tips

It opens Monday to Saturday in the morning (roughly 7:30 to 15:00) and closes on Sundays. Entry is free. Go early to see it in full swing and avoid Saturday midday, its busiest moment. Pair it with the neighbouring Silk Exchange and with our guide to Valencia's markets.

Insider tip

Local tip: look for the cotorra del Mercat, the parrot weathervane; in Valencia the word is used for someone who never stops chattering, a nod to the buzz of the market. Before you leave, have an almuerzo like a local at one of the inside counters: a freshly made sandwich or a tapa of produce from the market itself. To keep eating well, don't miss our what to eat in Valencia guide and our Valencian gastronomy section.