Santiago Abastos Market

It is eight stone halls on Rúa das Ameas, in the old town, with stalls selling fish and seafood, cheeses, bread, meat, vegetables and flowers. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 14:00; on Sundays it is closed. Turismo de Santiago presents it as one of the city's must-sees, and the market itself says it is the second most visited place in Santiago.

A little history

The current building dates from 1941. It replaced the so-called City Market, the first attempt to bring Compostela's scattered markets under one roof, which was demolished in 1937 to build today's market hall. Turismo de Santiago attributes the design to the architect Joaquín Vaquero Palacios.

What is there

The market's website arranges the stalls by sections: eggs and poultry, salt cod, butchers, delicatessens, frozen food, flowers, fruit and vegetables, bread, fish and seafood, cheeses, teas and perfumes, crafts and kiosks. There are also about ten bars and small restaurants inside, such as Pulpería Abastos, Ostrería, Febras, Salvaxe, Cantina 3, Amoado or Abastos 2.0. At Mariscomanía they cook the seafood you have bought in the market.

Go before eleven, when the women sellers from the villages arrive with their vegetables and cheeses, and the market is in full swing.

Left luggage and delivery

There is a left-luggage service: buy in the morning and collect until 21:00, so you do not have to carry your shopping all day. If you want to take something away without going there, the market has online and phone sales, with a personal shopper service that buys for you; deliveries within about 15 km cost between €2 and €5, depending on the amount. Phone: 981 583 438.

Hours

The market publishes on its website Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 14:00. Turismo de Santiago gives wider hours, 7:00 to 16:00, and closures on Sundays and special holidays. If you go after two, confirm first.

To combine

If you fancy eating afterwards, the Café de Altamira is on the same street, opposite the market. Next door, the Hotel Virxe da Cerca has a garden with views of the towers. From Rúa das Ameas, you can walk up to the cathedral in a few minutes.