Market Madness - You can be guaranteed that Andalucia's markets will provide |
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| I'm sure we all remember the days when anyone disembarking a plane from Spain staggered down the steps clutching a large  stuffed donkey in one hand, precariously balancing an oversized, sombrero on their head whilst hoping that the olive oil and vinegar bottle set remained intact in their suitcase! The day of the donkey seems to have come to an end and thankfully the sombreros too have all but disappeared and probably the only item that you would find amongst your average package holiday maker's luggage these days are the salad dressing dispensers more often than not purchased at one of the many markets which flourish along the Costa del Sol. The various stalls sell almost anything you could wish for but it is important to know which market is which and which sells what!
One or two days a week each town and village throughout Andalucía hosts its mercardo; markets which for generations have provided the local community with a huge variety of products. Along the Costa del Sol, the traders have also come to realise the potential of catering to tourists as well as the residents and all of the weekly markets are worth a visit. You will also find mercadillos and rastros in many places. A combination of flea market and boot sale, these markets are where you will find some real bargains if you search hard enough. These make a great day out and if you have just moved to Spain and are looking for unusual items to fill up your new home, the rastros are a great place to start. The Saturday morning rastro in Fuengirola (recinto ferial) is a huge market, packed with bargains - anything from second hand clothing to antique maps as well as new items such as table cloths and linens at bargain prices. Fuengirola's weekly market, which takes place on a Tuesday, is the largest along the coast although many of the stalls sell the same things so the actual variety of goods differs very little from the smaller markets in other towns.
Every Saturday around the bullring and Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucia there is a great market for antiques from Spain and from other countries around the world. The antiques stalls are mainly situated around the bullring and on the upper levels of the commercial centre you will find some lovely artesania, hand made jewellery, mirrors and sculptures to name just a few. Every Sunday, Sotogrande marina hosts a charming antiques and handicrafts market where all number of things are for sale although not always cheap. For real bargains, check out the car boot sale in Sabanillas (Sundays) which has grown and grown in popularity - get there early if you want to park within easy walking distance! It is worth mentioning at this point that all the markets only operate until around 2.30 pm. The saying "the early bird catches the worm" certainly rings true as the later you leave it the more likely it is that the freshest fruit and vegetables will have already been snapped up and any rastro bargain will be long gone!
At all the markets you will find produce and items from various regions of Andalucía and good buys include:
Pottery: Andalucía produces a lot of pottery and each region has its own styles and varieties. Influenced by Moorish designs (Granada, Cordoba and Úbeda are all famous pottery centres), the crockery, plant pots and tiles are cheap, often original and exquisitely finished.
Rugs: Inexpensive and colourful, rugs made in several areas in Andalucía find their way to the many markets and also make good buys.
Leather: Perhaps one of the most famous Spanish holiday purchases is leather and it can still be a real bargain compared to prices elsewhere in Europe. Jackets, belts, bags and shoes as well as embossed leather poufs all make excellent gifts - either for loved ones back home or for yourself!
Handicrafts: The bulk of the jewellery on sale at the markets is imported but you may be lucky enough to find some of the delicate silver filigree jewellery made in Córdoba. Granada produces beautiful woodwork and you'll find plenty of marquetry boxes, chess sets and much more at most of the markets along the coast, especially the ones nearer to Granada - Almuñecar for example.
Produce: If you are a lover of dried fruits and nuts, olives, fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers then the weekly town and village markets are the places to head. You won't find it cheaper anywhere else.
As well as local goods and produce a lot is imported from further afield. If you haven't made it to one of the medinas in Morocco then the markets are a great place to buy Moorish pottery, wood and brassware.  Senagalese carved wood statues also abound along with imported handicrafts from Thailand and Indonesia such as rattan, clothing and jewellery. Other imported items which one seems to see more and more are the fake designer watches, bags, sunglasses and clothing as well as copy CD's. As long as you buy these items with the knowledge that they come with only one guarantee - you will never get your money back under any circumstances - these are fine. Bartaring is expected when purchasing these goods as well as if you are buying at the rastros. If you buy more that one of an item at the regular markets you can also try and haggle your way to a better deal if your Spanish is up to it!
Of course, the list could go on and on and it really depends on what you are looking for. I love markets, especially the rastros where you can wander through the stalls rummaging through junk and come up with some really individual buys. Recently, at the Fuengirola rastro I found a small 1950's glass box (500 ptas) and a lovely fish mobile made from driftwood (600 ptas); at Marbella's Monday market I bought a new pair of funky suede and wood sandals (1500 ptas) and at the Nueva Andalucía market I found a framed print depicting a fabulous cartoon flamenco dancer for just 1500 ptas. Whatever takes your fancy, you are sure to find it at the markets and to enable you to go market mad for an entire week I have provided a brief guide. For more information, please contact either the tourist office or the Interealty branch staff in the area you are interested in. Happy shopping!
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