{"id":22013,"date":"2019-07-12T08:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T06:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"\/en\/blog\/?p=18948"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:52:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:52:32","slug":"how-to-enjoy-el-rastro-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cataloniahotels.com\/en\/how-to-enjoy-el-rastro-market","title":{"rendered":"How to Enjoy El Rastro Market like a local"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Madrid’s flea market is<\/strong> an experience not to be missed<\/strong> while you’re in Spain’s capital city. Why is El Rastro so popular? The biggest open air market in town<\/strong>, its stalls are spread throughout streets and squares and you can buy everything from souvenirs to Antique furniture to clothing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As all the locals know, however, it’s not just about the shopping!<\/strong> Wander the streets enjoying the sights, listening to street performers, and, most importantly, stopping for tasty food and drink along the way<\/a>. Follow this guide on how to enjoy Madrid’s El Rastro market like a local to make the most of your visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

El Rastro history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The name means \u201cthe trail”<\/strong> and can also mean “slaughterhouse”. There were once tanneries on this site, and the process of transporting slaughtered cattle from the abattoir at Manzanares River to the tannery would leave a trail of blood on the road. It’s thought this is where the market’s name came from!<\/strong> The market has existed for years and features in films and books, such as El Rastro by Ram\u00f3n G\u00f3mez de la Serna, published in 1910. In recent years it’s become one of the key sites for tourism in Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Rastro Location:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The market runs along Ribera de Curtidores and Calle Embajadores<\/strong>, and fills Plaza de Cascorro<\/strong>. You’ll find stalls, shops, and performers spreading out into side streets, too. The nearest metro stations are La Latina and Puerta de Toledo<\/strong> – you can walk up from the gate of Toledo into the heart of the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Rastro Schedule:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The market is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/strong> It’s busiest and most fun late morning, but if you want to find the best bargains, you’ll need to be there first thing. It’s also open on public holidays throughout the year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where to eat near El Rastro:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The area is dotted with bars where you can enjoy amazing tapas alongside the locals<\/strong>. Don’t forget to try out all the different specialities. Some bars are known for their caracoles (snails), others for grilled sardines, and of course you can get tortilla espa\u00f1ola almost everywhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whichever bar you choose, you’ll probably want a cold ca\u00f1a (small beer)<\/strong> or a tinto de verano, a refreshing combination of red wine and gaseosa. Afterwards, the Barrio de La Latina<\/strong> is packed with bars full of locals enjoying themselves and the Market of San Miguel<\/strong>, one of the other markets in Madrid that’s well worth a visit, is a great spot if you want to enjoy more delicious local food<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Catalonia<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay near El Rastro:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous hotels in Madrid’s centre<\/a>. One great option is the stylish Catalonia Plaza Mayor hotel<\/a>, right in the middle of the cultural and commercial centre of the city. With free wifi, gym, jaccuzzi, snack bar and restaurant, this 4-star hotel<\/strong> makes a great base for exploring the city by foot or metro. It also has a free tea-time buffet each afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option, also within walking distance of El Rastro, is the Catalonia Atocha hotel<\/a>. This upscale hotel in an ornate building features elegant rooms, options for room service, a restaurant, free wifi, and a stunning terrace on the seventh floor with a jacuzzi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

victorgrigas [CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>], via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Madrid’s flea market is an experience not to be missed while you’re in Spain’s capital city. Why is El Rastro so popular? The biggest open air market in town, its stalls are spread throughout streets and squares and you can buy everything from souvenirs to Antique furniture to clothing. As all the locals know, however, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"destino":[1424,1427,1425],"tipo-contenido":[],"tipo-de-plan":[1570,1572],"class_list":["post-22013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar","destino-europe","destino-madrid-en","destino-spain","tipo-de-plan-places-of-interest","tipo-de-plan-shopping"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Enjoy El Rastro Market like a local | Gu\u00eda de Viajes | Catalonia Hotels & Resorts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Madrid's flea market is an experience not to be missed while you're in Spain's capital city. 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