Mercado de Abastos, Antequera
Antequera's covered market on Plaza de San Francisco, designed by Fernando de la Torriente in 1878 and finished in 1885, after its central dome collapsed during construction in 1881.
About Mercado de Abastos, Antequera
The Mercado de Abastos stands on Plaza de San Francisco, the old Coso where bullfights and public ceremonies were held. Mayor Francisco Guerrero Muñoz promoted it to bring street sellers under one roof; Fernando de la Torriente's 1878 project began building in 1879. The central dome, planned in iron and glass, collapsed on 3 December 1881, and the market was finished in 1885. Stall refurbishment ended in 2019.
A tall main hall is joined by a lower wing added later for the fishmongers. In December 2024 the council counted 32 stalls, about 20 trading: butchers and charcuterie, fish, fruit and vegetables and a bakery. Buy the makings of porra antequerana, the town's thick cold soup of tomato, bread, garlic and olive oil. A bar inside serves breakfasts and tapas.
Open Monday to Saturday mornings, from about 08:00–09:00 to 14:00–15:00 depending on the stall; closed Sundays and public holidays. It is 550 m below the Alcazaba and 1.2 km from the dolmens; park in the centre and walk. Allow 30 minutes. It suits self-caterers and visitors after an early local breakfast.
Go mid-morning on a weekday or Saturday, when most stalls are open; many close by early afternoon. Bring cash for small stalls. If you are heading to El Torcal, buy bread, cheese and cured meats here for a picnic, as there is little to buy by the trails.
Mercado de Abastos, Antequera in pictures
What you’ll find
- Butchers and charcuterieMeat, ham and sausages (09:00–14:00)Buy
- Fish marketFresh fish and seafood (09:00–14:00)Buy
- Free entryFree visitFree
- Historic buildingArchitectureFree
- Market stallsFresh food shopping (09:00–14:00)Buy
- Tapas barTapas and drinksBuy
- TerraceOutdoor seatingFree
Nearby places to visit
From the plaza, the climb to the Alcazaba and Colegiata of Antequera (550 m) leads through the old town to the Moorish fortress and the Renaissance collegiate church beside it. The El Henchidero Textile Museum (850 m) tells the story of the town's woollen mills. The Dolmens of Antequera (1.2 km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lie on the north-eastern edge of town, within walking distance. The limestone landscape of El Torcal de Antequera (7.5 km) is a 20-minute drive south, and the town's tapas bars around Calle Infante Don Fernando are the place to finish the day.
Mercado de Abastos, Antequera at a glance
Category
Food & Wine Food markets
Town
Antequera
Address
Plaza de San Francisco, 29200 Antequera, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours
Market stalls Mon–Sat mornings, roughly 08:00/09:00–14:00/15:00 depending on the stall. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Entry and prices
Free entry; prices vary by stall
Checked 3 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Mercado de Abastos, Antequera, nearest first.
