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Square · Ávila, Castela e Leão
Plaza del Mercado Chico
Ávila's main square, inside the wall, with arcades on three sides, the 19th-century town hall and the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. It is the meeting point of the old town.
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 Plaza del Mercado Chico
Plaza del Mercado Chico is Ávila's main square and is located in the centre of the walled city. Some authors believe it occupies the crossing of the two main streets of the Roman town. The square began to take shape at the end of the 11th century, with the repopulation of Ávila, and around it the trades settled, giving names to streets such as Zapateros and Cuchillería.
It has a rectangular shape, with arcades on three sides. On one side is the Casa Consistorial, built between 1839 and 1845 and expanded between 1862 and 1868, in granite, with twin towers. On the opposite side, without arcades, stands the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.
The current layout dates from the 19th century, with a neoclassical design by Juan Antonio Cuervo. Bars and restaurants occupy the arcades, and the square is the meeting point of the old town. Streets such as Reyes Católicos and Caballeros lead from there toward the Cathedral and Plaza de Santa Teresa.
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 20–30 minutes, plus the time for a meal.
Best time
At lunchtime or dinnertime, when the tables under the arcades fill up. In Ávila, as in the rest of Spain, lunch is after 2:00 p.m. and dinner after 9:00 p.m. In winter, from December to February, the arcades protect against the cold and the wind.
How to get there
It's located in the centre of the walled city, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral and Plaza de Santa Teresa.
Tip
Try the chuletón de Ávila, a thick cut of local beef, and for dessert the yemas de Santa Teresa, an egg‑yolk sweet. On weekends, book a table.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza del Mercado Chico
What is the main square of Ávila?
The Plaza del Mercado Chico, inside the wall, with the town hall and the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.
What to eat in Ávila?
The chuletón de Ávila, a thick grilled cut of beef, and the yemas de Santa Teresa, a sweet made from egg yolks, are the best‑known specialties.
What is the difference between Mercado Chico and Mercado Grande?
Mercado Chico is the main square inside the wall. Mercado Grande is the popular name for Plaza de Santa Teresa, outside the wall, in front of Puerta del Alcázar.