The Best Markets in Marbella, Spain

Every Thursday morning from 9am until about 2pm (lunchtime in Spain), the San Pedro de Alcántara fairground is given over to a food and flea market comprised of around 230 stalls. The San Pedro rastro – as flea or second-hand markets are called in Spanish – is a great place to pick up sartorial essentials at bargain prices, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.

On Saturday mornings, the glizty marina of Puerto Banús (located 8km (5 miles) to the west of Marbella) hosts one of the largest flea markets on Málaga’s coastline. It is a happily chaotic affair, with vendors loudly advertising their goods and bartering with locals in rapid-fire Spanish. A huge range of products is on offer – from antiques to crafts, clothing to spices.

Avenida Manolete, s/n, Puerto Banús, Marbella, Spain

The Saturday flea market in Puerto Banús, Marbella I © R-E-A-L / WikiCommons

The week in Marbella kicks off with the sprawling Monday morning street market, held on the city’s eastern edge. Its 350+ stalls sell fruit, vegetables, clothing, toys and locally-made arts and crafts at prices customers say are lower than those at other Marbella markets. A large food and drink stand ear the entrance provides the perfect spot for a cold caña after bargain-hunting.

Calle Platino, s/n, Marbella, Spain

On Friday mornings, a small rastro is held on the street behind Marbella’s town hall building. Its central location means that the Las Chapas market is a great place to stop and browse if you’re exploring the old town of Marbella. Clothes and jewellery are on offer alongside colourful stands of fresh fruit and vegetables, so you’re almost certain to come away with something.

Marbella’s best arts and crafts market is held every Sunday from midday until about 6pm, in the city’s yacht-lined port. In between admiring floating residences of the world’s mega-rich, you’ll find a range of exquisite, hand-made items including jewellery, antiques and ceramics. And when you’re done, the tapas bars of the old town are just a five-minute stroll away.

Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Marbella, Spain

On the first Saturday of every month between 10am and 2pm, Marbella’s Alameda Park is the setting for an ecological market. Stalls sell locally sourced, environmentally friendly produce at competitive prices, and the green spaces of the Alameda make browsing here a pleasure. If you’re here in summer and want to cool off afterwards, the beach is a five-minute walk away, too.

Parque de Alameda, Marbella, Spain

Hunt for bargains in Marbella’s street markets I © ddouk / Pixabay

If you’re visiting Puerto Banús on a Saturday, you’re spolit for choice for markets. In addition to the artisan market (see above), there is also the Zoco del Sol, a cluster of stalls selling uniquely-designed jewellery, ceramics, glassware and vintage clothing. It’s open every day from 11am until midnight during the summer, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays the rest of the year.