The Best Fruit and Vegetable Markets in Valencia

A visit to this incredible palace of food is one of the top food experiences in Valencia. This huge Art Nouveau building in the Old Town is home to one of Europe’s oldest food markets, opened in 1928. The traditions of the market are still very much alive; every weekday and Saturday the market is packed with locals shopping for fresh produce, and you can’t get better than the fruit and vegetables sold here. Local traders whose families have held stalls here for generations create wondrous displays of produce showcasing the best of every season. Fruit and veg can be a little pricier here than elsewhere, but good deals can also be had, and the experience of shopping here can’t be beaten. It’s worth seeing for the architecture alone, with stunning ceramic tiles on the walls and a grand domed roof as the centrepiece.

Substantially smaller than the Central Market but with a more local feel, this colourful building is right in the heart of the trendy Ruzafa district. Inside, not much has changed in decades and it’s simply a fantastic place to shop for fresh, quality produce and friendly service – though not many of the stallholders speak English. Make time for lunch at one of the cafes nearby, most of which buy their ingredients at the market.

11, Plaça del Baró de Cortés, 9, València, Spain +34 963 74 40 25

If you want to experience shopping at a smaller city market with a very local feel, this is a central spot selling amazing fresh fruit and veg. Don’t expect anything fancy or tourist-oriented, or anyone to speak much English, but do expect great quality produce and friendly stall holders. It’s just a short walk from the Central Market and the rest of the Old Town sights. In the small, pretty streets radiating from the market square you’ll find no end of excellent family-run cafes, bars and restaurants serving up real Valencian cuisine.