If you haven’t yet been to this temple of Spanish cuisine, you don’t know what you’re missing!
Located in the heart of Madrid, very close to Plaza Mayor, San Miguel market is a must-see tourist attraction for anyone visiting the Spanish capital. If you think this place is just a tourist trap, think again! You’ll be surprised not only at the food on offer, but also at the history behind this icon of Madrid.
In the past, the space now home to this market was the site of a church: the origin of its name. San Miguel de los Octoes church was destroyed in a fire in 1790 and, despite being restored, it was left so fragile after the fire that it had to be demolished in 1809. From there, the space became a public square, which quickly gave rise to an improvised market with crates and stands, which later led to hygiene problems. The solution lay in constructing the building, opened in 1916, which would become home to San Miguel market.
After almost being demolished 80 years after it was built, the market was radically modernised over several years by a group of private investors. In 2009, they offered the city a new gourmet option with the new-look San Miguel market, which won over locals and tourists alike. But the same wrought-iron structure inaugurated in the early 20th century still houses the colours and flavours of this market, delighting the thousands of tourists who visit it each year.
Get ready for an incredible journey through Spanish cuisine. You’ll find everything here: from gourmet cheese and hams to fresh fruit and vegetables. San Miguel market sells products from across the country and, despite what you may think, at reasonable prices. Explore its different stalls offering delicacies from around Spain and, even if you don’t have time to tour all the regions, make sure to try Galician Padron peppers, Basque pintxos, traditional serrano ham or Asturian cider.
Unlike other markets in Madrid, people don’t go to San Miguel to do their shopping and fill up their cupboards (although that is also possible). Mostly, both for locals and tourists, San Miguel market is a meeting point to celebrate, eat, chat and spend time with friends or family. This mecca of good Spanish food allows people from around the world to come together and enjoy Spanish cuisine in a unique atmosphere, where tapas and wine abound, in a lively mix of Spaniards and tourists.
So, has that made your mouth water? Discover this and other gems in the city of Madrid on a guided and private tuk tuk tour. Click here to find out about the tours around the Spanish capital. You’ll feel like a local in no time!
