Explore the Best Food Markets in Madrid: A Culinary Journey

The Spanish capital offers an unforgettable experience for all kinds of travellers. Whether it's stunning architecture, world-renowned museums or top-notch football that make your heart beat faster, you can find all that in Madrid. Throbbing with life around the clock, the city is one of Europe's must-visit destinations, with every corner of the historic neighbourhoods inviting exploration. And if you're on a foodie pilgrimage, you'll find that some of those corners reveal lively food markets that give you a wonderful chance to discover the diversity and traditions of gastronomy in Spain and beyond.

Much like the city itself, Madrid's food markets are more than just places to visit. They're both gastronomic and cultural centres where the old charm of bygone days and the dynamism of the new millennium blend together to wow you, immersing you in the city's culinary heritage as well as its current trends and dining experiences.

After visiting the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral, take a leisurely stroll along Calle Mayor and you'll soon end up at Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid's culinary temple, frequented by locals and tourists for more than a hundred years. The food market has over 7 million visitors a year and treats each one – and their taste buds – to a wide variety of delicious food from every part of the country. Whether you have a craving for fish tapas, gourmet cheeses, rice dishes or jamón, Spain's famous, naturally cured ham, you'll find just what you're looking for. Have a sweet tooth? You're still in the right place – just head over to the Rocambolesc stand for the artisanal ice cream creations of 3-star Michelin chef Jordi Roca. Be sure to try the panet, a warm brioche filled with your favourite ice cream. 

• Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid
• 10am-midnight Sun-Thu, 10am-1am Fri, Sat and holiday evenings
• Metro: Ópera (Lines 2 and 5), Sol (Lines 1, 2 and 3)

Madrid may spread over 600 square kilometres, but it boasts so many food markets that chances are you don't need to hop on the tube or a bus to get to the nearest one, no matter where you are. If you happen to be at the famous Toledo Gate, a 10-minute walk takes you to another one of Madrid's must-try food markets, Mercado de San Fernando, located in the historic Lavapiés area within the flourishing Embajadores neighbourhood. Brace yourself to be spoiled for choice. If you're keen on Asturian specialties, try some succulent sausages and a glass of natural cider at El Guaje de Lavapiés. Fancy an impromptu wine tasting? Look no further than Bendito's, where you can cleanse your palate with wines from the vineyards of Alicante. The market also caters to fusion cuisine fans with the most exacting standards, and there are plenty of vendors who will pamper you with fine food from Mexico, Cuba, Peru and elsewhere.

• Mercado de San Fernando, Embajadores, 41, 28012 Madrid
• 9am-2:30pm and 5:30om-9pm Mon, 9am-10pm Tue-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun
• Metro: Lavapiés (Line 3), Embajadores (Line 3)

Art aficionados will agree that no trip to Madrid is complete without a visit to the Prado, one of the world's most famous museums. Still, even the most seasoned art lover is bound to work up an appetite after spending hours viewing the masterpieces of Velázquez and Co. Luckily, Mercado de Antón Martín is only a short stroll away from the museum – and your city-centre hotel, should you want to have a little rest in between.

• Mercado de Antón Martín, Santa Isabel, 5, 28102 Madrid
• 9am-9pm Mon-Sat
• Metro: Antón Martín (Line 1)

Libraries may not spring to mind when you're planning your getaway, but Madrid's National Library is one of the largest in the world and free to visit, so put it on your list of places to see. Better yet, combine it with a stop for refreshments and a spot of lunch at Mercado San Antón, right in the heart of the Chueca district. The market prides itself on being both everyday and extraordinary: they have the best fresh produce to meet your daily needs and you can try something special every day. There is gourmet food galore, ranging from potato omelette topped with squid in its own ink to crisp puff pastry from Argentina. For a rare treat, check out 11 Nudos Terraza Nordés on the top floor where, in addition to savouring superb cuisine with Atlantic touches, you can marvel at the incomparable Madrid skyline while sipping a Nordés Gin cocktail.

• Mercado de San Antón, Calle de Augusto Figureoa, 24, 28004 Madrid
• 9:30am-9:30pm Mon-Sat (market stalls), Noon-midnight Mon-Sun (food stalls), 1pm-1am Mon-Sun (restaurants)
• Metro: Chueca (Line 5), Banco de España (Line 2), Gran Vía (línea 1 y 5)

Salamanca is the Spanish capital's high-end shopping district, but the upmarket neighbourhood has a lot more to offer than fashion shops and luxury boutiques – plenty of delicious food. If you're seeking a cosy and welcoming space with all the finest delicacies your heart (or rather, your stomach) desires, head over to Mercado de la Paz. With its classic iron structure perfectly integrated with the modern establishments it houses, it's one of Madrid's most emblematic food markets, and you can expect a truly immersive shopping experience. Given the number of bars, restaurants, delis, greengrocers and fishmongers, if you can't find what you're looking for, you may want to double check if it actually exists. Eat in or take away, the market has just the right vendor for you. Too many to list, in fact, but remember to swing by Casa Dani for a quick snack in the morning – their tasty pulguita ibérica is highly recommended – or a homemade traditional Mediterranean lunch, depending on the time of day you're visiting.

• Mercado de La Paz, Calle Ayala, 28, 28001 Madrid
• 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2:30pm Sat
• Metro: Serrano (Line 4), Velázquez (Line 4), Príncipe de Vergara (Lines 2 and 9)

Located in the city's Chambierí district, the Vallehermoso Market looks back on a tumultuous history. It survived the Civil War and Franco's regime, but then it faced a long period of decline. The toughest vendors weathered the crisis, however, and opened the doors of the market to some young "placeros" around 2015. Together, they not only brought Vallehermoso back to life but turned it into one of Madrid's most popular food markets with locals and tourists alike. Visit the Producers' Gallery on the ground floor where artisan food businesses offer both fresh produce and processed products, and there is also a tasting area for you to try everything from sausages to chocolate and from cheeses to pies. "You have to eat, and if you eat well, all the better" is the market's motto and the offerings of every single vendor live up to it. Their hospitality is on a par with the quality of their food.

• Calle de Vallehermoso, 36, 28015 Madrid
• 9am-11pm Mon-Thu, 9am-midnight Fri-Sat, 12:30pm-5pm Sun 
• Metro: Quevedo (Line 2), Canal (Lines 2 and 7)

You may be a food lover or you may have come to Madrid for its grand palaces, world-class art galleries or pulsating nightlife. Either way, once you've discovered one of the city's best food markets, you might just decide to extend your stay so you can visit as many of them as possible. Who could get enough of all the delicacies after all, whether they're traditional tapas, exotic fusion dishes or food you thought only existed in your dreams? Stay and savour Madrid's unforgettable taste for as long as you can.