Mercado de San Miguel
A cast-iron and glass market from 1916 beside Plaza Mayor, now Madrid's most famous food hall, where you can sample jamón, oysters, tapas, and wine in one place.
Mercado de San Miguel opened in 1916 and is the only surviving cast-iron and glass food market in Madrid. Converted into a food market in 2009, it became one of the city's most popular attractions, welcoming more than ten million visitors a year. About 20 stalls inside sell refined small tapas at bar counters: sliced Iberian ham, Galician oysters (€3–4 each), marinated anchovies and olive skewers (gildas), a variety of small sandwiches (montaditos), Spanish omelette, fried small fish, and grilled skewers. You can also get Cava, vermouth, and sherry, plus artisan ice cream and dessert stands. The way to enjoy it is to carry a glass of wine from stall to stall, trying one or two items at each. Expect to spend about €20–30 per person. There are no fixed seats, and standing at high tables to eat is the norm. Prices are noticeably higher than in an ordinary bar, and the crowd is mostly tourists. For a more local experience, try the old taverns on the nearby Cava Baja and Cava Alta streets, or the slightly farther Mercado de San Antón (in the Chueca district) and Mercado de San Fernando (in the Lavapiés district). The market sits just west of Plaza Mayor, a 5-minute walk from Ópera or Sol metro stations (lines L2/L5). It is packed on weekend evenings and holidays, so consider the quieter 16:00–18:00 slot in the afternoon. Keep an eye on your belongings in the crowds.
Opening hours
Sun–Thu 10:00–24:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–01:00
Nearby sights
- Plaza Mayor
- Chocolatería San Ginés
- Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales
- Puerta del Sol
- Almudena Cathedral
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- El Rastro Flea Market
- Gran Vía