Mercado de San Miguel: Best of Madrid

Madrid was my initial stop on my first visit to Spain and this region of Europe. I was traveling with a friend I had known for decades, and it was her first visit. Our itinerary included the three major cities of Spain: Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. When speaking with friends who had been to Madrid, almost everyone mentioned the Mercado de San Miguel as a must-do. Visiting markets has always been a highlight of my travels because it often gives a glimpse of the locals, their food, traditions, and culture. When people spoke of this Market, they lit up, which intrigued me.

As a result, our first destination was the spectacular Mercado de San Miguel. The doors of this Market opened over 100 years ago when it started as a wholesale food market. It sits in an impressive historical building with expansive windows that stream warm natural light to the interior. This once wholesale food venue now stands out as one of the world’s leading gastronomic markets. Visitors can experience Spain’s essence and flavors from every corner of this fascinating and diverse country.

It could not have been a better choice to launch our trip to Spain. The Market showcased the delicious food that Spain has to offer the world in all its glory and colors.

The Market

At the Mercado de San Miguel, you’ll find all the best Spanish cuisine. It’s referred to as a monument to Spain’s incredible cuisine, and I would have to agree wholeheartedly. There are over 26 stands and carts that provide top-quality items. The prices are very reasonable, even cheap, and all the food is as fresh as you can imagine. In many cases, it is made as you watch.

The freshest fish and seafood are brought in daily from Galicia. Some of the seafood for sale was unique and a little odd, yet they sure were being purchased by many locals. The classic Mediterranean rice dishes were prepared with a flare; the Paella was superb, the best we had in Spain. The exquisite cheeses from Castile, Asturias, and the Basque Country are on a beautiful display, and samples were offered for some. So, if you want, try some, but you may bring some back to your hotel room.

Spain is known for its Iberian ham; you will find the finest on display at the Market. The selection of cured meats was extensive. How about some specialty cured meat in a paper cone, which seemed sought out by many? And oh, the prosciutto!!! It may even beat out Italian prosciutto.

Of course, there were beautiful desserts and bakery products. Various forms of nuts in paper cones were popular snacks. What is Spain without olives and olive oils? Add to all that the colorful and delectable fruits and produce.

What is all that delicious food without an Aperol Spritz or a glass of champagne? It may have been lunchtime, but everyone seemed to have an alcoholic drink in hand.

Oh, the Tapas!

What stood out, and that wasn’t easy as everything blew us away, was the Tapas. The glorious, huge, stunning Tapas. In my two trips to Spain, nowhere else came close to the presentation, beauty, and quality of Tapas offered at the San Miguel market. Not only were they gorgeous, but they were also a joy for the palate.

There were what felt like over 100 varieties. As a result, what limits you is how much room you have for all that food. Whether visiting to eat here or take home (which many locals did), the Tapas are simply perfection.

Check out all the variations of Tapas at the Market

Full of Energy

The ambiance of the San Miguel market was bustling, loud, and energetic. Packed with people chatting away, it felt at times like a community event where friends gather versus a food market. This Market draws 10 million visitors a year, so you can expect large crowds most of the time. That said, we never felt closed in and unable to view what we wanted. The waits for purchases were relatively quick and efficient. Vendors were friendly and patient.

Many Spaniards shop and gather for a drink and food at the Market. San Miguel is a social hub for the locals. Many of the stands offer alcoholic beverages of all kinds. They were pretty popular in this market; as a result, they seemed to draw many customers there. I have to say I was surprised to see so much champagne being poured at a food market. This is Europe, though; what is a meal without a lovely glass of wine or champagne to complement it? Cocktails were big, too, and seemed to be Aperol Spritz was the favorite, but many choices were available. Check out our blog post on the history of Aperol and some great recipes.

Popular for locals and tourists

The Mercado is a huge tourist draw, and the outsiders are pretty obvious; they are the ones standing there with their mouths hanging open in awe and unable to decide where to begin.

Be warned that seating can be challenging at peak hours, but we saw many juggling food and drinks while standing expertly.

It took several trips to all the shops and various stands to decide which of these spell-binding Tapas I would choose. It was a difficult decision! As a result, I may have taken more than I should have. In the end, each was delicious; there were no regrets.

A bit later, I was satiated after a lovely glass of wine, lots of Tapas, fresh mozzarella balls, and some of the best prosciutto I have ever tasted.

Picture Perfect

Did I mention this was a photographer’s playground? Taking photos at any market is a blast, and the Mercado de San Miguel was no exception. I had so much fun! So many colors and textures to capture.

One Impressive Market

I was genuinely in awe of this Market. Having visited many markets worldwide (one of my favorite things to do during travel), Mercado de San Miguel is one of the best I have ever experienced.

When in Madrid, Spain, do not miss this gem. It is in the heart of the city and is easy to access via public transportation or Uber. It is an indoor market, so the weather is never a concern. There are many hotels nearby that are within walking distance.

Mercado de San Miguel is a gift to the senses, a food lover’s paradise, a cultural immersion, a joy to photograph, and a ton of fun to boot!

Where to stay when visiting Madrid

It is important to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.

Final Thoughts

As markets go, this one is special. Do not miss it. It is an incredible experience for all your senses. Go with a big appetite, too, as there will be so many great options to choose from. Be adventurous, too; the food is fresh and delicious. It is Spain at its best.

© 2024 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

Planning a trip to Spain? Check out our Spain Travel Guide

Mercado de San Miguel Photo Gallery

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