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Market · Málaga, Andaluzia
Mercado Central de Atarazanas
19th-century municipal market of iron and glass, with a 14th‑century nazari marble gate, a colorful stained‑glass window and stalls selling fish, fruit, cured meats and tapas.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Mercado Central de Atarazanas
The market was built between 1876 and 1879 to a design by the architect Joaquín de Rucoba, on the site of an old Nasrid shipyard. The word atarazana means shipyard, and that is where the name comes from.
From the Islamic building only the marble gate remains, a pointed horseshoe arch. The coats of arms on the arch allow dating it to the reign of Muhammad V, between 1354 and 1391. The gate was reassembled 25 metres ahead of its original position and today is the main entrance, which used to face the sea.
The structure is iron, largely cast in Seville, and the design follows the model of the Les Halles market in Paris, with neo‑Arab decoration. The large stained‑glass window, from 1973, made by the Atienza brothers, has 108 panels depicting the city's monuments.
Inside, the stalls sell fish and seafood, fruit, olives, cured meats and cheeses. There are counters where you can eat fried fish and tapas, as the malagueño does late in the morning.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to 1 hour, plus time to eat.
Best time
In the morning, when the stalls are full and the fish has just arrived. The market usually opens Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays; check before you go.
How to get there
It's on Calle Atarazanas, about a five‑minute walk from Calle Larios, near the Alameda Principal and the Guadalmedina river.
Tip
Arrive between 11:00 and 13:00 to eat at the counters: the fried fish dishes run out early. Spanish lunch starts around 14:00, but in the market people snack earlier.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mercado Central de Atarazanas
When does the Mercado de Atarazanas open?
It usually opens Monday to Saturday in the morning and is closed on Sundays. Check before you go.
Can you eat at the Mercado de Atarazanas?
Yes. There are counters serving fried fish, seafood and tapas, as well as stalls selling fruit, cheese and cured meats.
What is the market's Arabic gate?
It is the old gate of the Nasrid shipyard from the 14th century, in marble. It was preserved and reused as the market's main entrance.