Why go to a supermarket to buy food when you can find fresher, cheaper food at the market?
I started asking myself this question when, during my experience abroad, I saw that most of the people I knew went to the supermarket to buy low quality fruit, vegetables, fish and meat instead of going to the market, where everything is fresh and cheap.
Perhaps many people simply don’t know about it. Maybe, as it’s their first taste of independence, they don’t know how and where to buy food…or it could simply be a matter of laziness. I still have never found the definitive answer to this question! In any case, I want to dedicate this piece to one of my favourite places to buy food in Málaga: the Atarazanas Market.
I admit that Spanish supermarkets aren’t bad: the Mercadona has a varied selection and good offers, in Corte Inglés you can find products from around the world, as in Carrefour. Furthermore, I admit that they have lots of products that you cannot find in a market; but when buying fruit, vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, spices, grains, meat and fish, bread and fresh food of any type, the Atarazanas Market is the best option.
Let’s break it down into parts…
(Stained Glass Window at one of the entrances to the market)
Tourist Attraction
The Atarazanas Market is in the centre of Málaga and, as well as being a perfect place to buy food, the old, Arabic-style building is very interesting. In the past it was a naval workshop and nowadays many people come to visit it, not only to but food but to walk through and look at it.
Another feature that attract visitors it that in the market you can try some of the products being sold, and there are also places to sit and eat, particularly to try fried ‘pescaito’ (fish).
Here, for example, you can try almonds, dried figs, olives, nuts etc., etc. … most of these products are from Málaga and are fantastic. If you don’t trust me, you can taste them yourself for free, trying one of these dishes :D
Food
When it comes to food, the Atarazanas Market is divided into three parts:
1. Fruit and vegetables
2. Fish and seafood
3. Meat and baked goods
Each one has a large variety of produce for sale, all are very tasty. My favourite part is the fruit and vegetable section, as I don’t eat eat or fish. However, everyone speaks highly of these products as well!
There’s also a large variety of mushrooms, potatoes, sweet potatoes… and thanks to the climate, in Málaga there are lots of tropical fruits for a very good price: mango, avocado, papaya, pineapple, kiwi, chirimoya (custard apples)… and many more.
Cost
The price of the market products is quite a lot cheaper than in the supermarkets and therefore they have a much more authentic taste. It’s worth noting that they aren’t treated, and that most of them are from Málaga instead of being imported.
The sellers are very friendly and kind! If you go to the same place on a regular basis, they’ll recognise you and you can develop a rapport.
The tomatoes from every stall are usually delicious, and there are various types: some are enormous and have a divine flavour. Most of the fruit and vegetables cost 1€ per kilo, sometimes even less, except those that are rare or out of season.
Spices
Another of my favourite areas is the stall where they sell many spices and teas for 1€. Every time I go through there I buy something new, throughout the year I’ve accumulated so many I could open my own stall! I enjoy it particularly because they have things that you can’t find in my country, or if you can find them, they’re very expensive. You can find plants and leaves with medicinal properties (sometimes they write what they can treat on the box, for example: “cough, cold, sleep, stress…”). They also sell teas, seeds, spices, dried fruits…everything!
If you’re living in Málaga, I advise you to visit this market, you won’t regret it!
