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Market · Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
Santiago de Compostela Market (Mercado de Abastos)
Stone market from 1941 in the old quarter, with granite aisles, stalls selling shellfish, fish, cheeses and Galician vegetables, and counters that prepare on the spot what you buy.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Santiago de Compostela Market (Mercado de Abastos)
The Mercado de Abastos has operated on the same site since the late 19th century, on a slope of the old quarter, 5 minutes from the cathedral. The current building, from 1941 and designed by architect Joaquín Vaquero Palacios, imitates the city’s traditional architecture: eight parallel granite naves with arches and tile roofs, open on the sides.
At the stalls, vendors—many of them producers from nearby villages—offer shellfish, octopus, fish from the rías, meats, cured sausages, breads, Galician cheeses such as tetilla and San Simón, Padrón peppers, chestnuts and seasonal vegetables. The village women, the paisanas, usually sell eggs, cabbages and flowers outside.
Some counters and bars inside the market prepare on the spot the shellfish and fish bought at the stalls, charging for the preparation, and serve Galician wine. It’s a common way to have lunch there.
The market is used daily by residents; it is open Monday through Saturday mornings and closed on Sundays.
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
About 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, including lunch.
Best time
In the morning, between 9:00 and 12:00, when the stalls are full. For lunch, arrive before 1:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays and does not open every afternoon; check ahead.
How to get there
It is on Rúa das Ameas, in the old quarter, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral and a 15-minute walk from the train station.
Tip
Buy shellfish or fish at a stall and take it to one of the counters that prepare it on the spot. Ask the price for the preparation beforehand. Try the tetilla cheese and the Padrón peppers.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Santiago de Compostela Market (Mercado de Abastos)
Does the Mercado de Abastos open on Sundays?
No. It is open Monday through Saturday, mainly in the mornings.
Can you eat at the market?
Yes. Some counters prepare seafood and fish bought at the stalls on the spot, and there are bars inside the market.
What to buy at the market?
Galician cheeses, such as tetilla and San Simón, cured meats, Padrón peppers and torta de Santiago.