El Rastro street market

This is the most popular open-air market in Madrid and one of the oldest since its origins date back to the 15th century. Located in the area around Ribera de Curtidores street, it is an unmissable event for Sunday and holiday mornings. These days, more than 1,000 street vendors offer visitors all kinds of items: trinkets, second-hand and pre-owned clothing, antiques, craftwork, books and records, etc. A unique atmosphere is created for tourists and locals from Madrid who visit this street market to go shopping and enjoy some tapas.

This is quite a huge market, which can be found between Toledo, Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo streets, what is traditionally known as the neighborhood of El Rastro. One of the most common routes when visiting it is to walk from the top (the popular Plaza de Cascorro) to the bottom (the Puerta de Toledo Market).Visitors can get hold of antiques and all kinds of curious items (puppets, comics from all eras, old radios and clocks, handmade fans) and visit “theme streets”, such as San Cayetano, called “Painters' street”, since you will find plenty of oil paintings, watercolors or reproductions of great works of art. As the market par excellence of Madrid, there is no shortage of a mix of cultures along with typical elements such as the “barquilleros” (wafer sellers) or the organist who sets the scene with chotis music. El Rastro street market is also known for its bars and taverns, where anyone can enjoy a few beers accompanied by tapas.