Rummaging in a flea market and parting with cash for clothes and beach towels in hot summer colours are favourite pastimes of visitors to the numerous street market on the Costa del Sol.
Leather goods and shoes have always been popular alongside the cheap and cheerful suitcases that will probably last just one journey! Stalls laden with cut price flamenco and pop CD’s are strategically placed and their music drifts around the whole market enhancing that lightheaded holiday feeling!
The authorities are beginning to crack down on counterfeit goods on sale in markets but things happen quite slowly in Andalucia and copy designer bags and sunglasses are still on sale.
The Costa del Sol Street Market Sells Tasty Alternatives to Clothes and Shoes
The fruit and vegetable stalls are a delight and always surrounded by the locals and inquisitive visitors. The colourful, fresh produce is good value and all comes daily from local orchards and market gardens in the area.
Visitors looking for dried fruit mixtures, nuts of all varieties and sugary sickly coloured sweets will not be disappointed. Slightly healthier though are the stalls selling olives and pickled vegetables.
Drums of olives stuffed with pimiento, anchovy, garlic, almond or small gherkins are deliciously fresh. The larger olives, cracked and marinated with garlic and thyme are sensational!
Appetizing aromas drift from the herb and spice stalls where mixtures for creating any dish imaginable are on sale. They promise that the special paella eaten on the beach the previous day could be recreated at home with just one packet of spices and herbs!
Bartering is not the norm in Spanish markets and most things are priced. However, if it’s almost closing time, or if buying in quantity there is no harm in trying! Having said that, more and more stallholders are Moroccan and they do welcome a bit of bartering!
The markets listed below open from 9-2 and the same stalls tend to turn up at every market along the coast. They sell fresh fruit and vegetables and a good range of clothes, shoes, accessories, toys and most things to attract tourists!
The flea markets tend to sell only second hand goods with a mixture of antiques, bric a brac and clothes.
Most are held on fairgrounds so during the feria time, some markets might be cancelled. The local tourist offices or press will give information.
Costa del Sol Coastal Resort Street Markets
Torremolinos holds its market on Thursday on the fairground. On Sunday a car boot sale is held near the auditorium
Benalmadena (Arroyo de la Miel) has a large market on Friday on the Tivoli car park. On Wednesday is a car boot sale near the Paloma Park.
Mijas – Las Lagunas on Saturday a large street market on the Camino de Coín. Mijas Pueblo has a daily indoor market selling fresh produce. Parking in the multi storey car park. Walk 10 mins.
Fuengirola has a large Tuesday market and a Saturday flea market, both held on the fairground. On Sunday, a smaller market is held near the Mosque, in the direction of the castle.
La Cala de Mijas holds two weekly markets, Wednesday and Saturday both held on the fairground. Another is planned for Thursday.
Urbanisation Calypso on Mijas Costa is planning the return of their street market, no dates yet.
Las Chapas, nr Elviria on western outskirts of Marbella holds a small friendly market on the side of the A7.
Marbella’s market day is Monday with a large market held on the fairground. Close by is Puerto Banus where there is a popular flea/antique market on Saturdays, located around the bullring area of Nueva Andalucia
San Pedro de Alcantara is a traditional town undergoing complete transformation and road improvements. Its street market is held on Thursdays, on the fairground.
Estepona has its street market in the town centre on Wednesdays and in the port on Sundays is a flea market.
Close by is Puerto de la Duquesa where a Sunday car boot sale is held.
Sabanillas is a large sea side town on the A7 on the way down to Gibraltar. The street market is held on Fridays on the Paseo and a car boot sale is held on the fairground on Sundays.
La Linea is the border town with Gibraltar and on the open ground close to the crossing is a Wednesday street market.
Street Markets are Busy and Colourful Places
The Costa del Sol street markets are full of colourful stalls, packed with visitors and tempting things to buy. Flamenco and Spanish pop music blare out from the CD stalls and there is always plenty of diversion. Beware of pickpockets as they do well in this type of environment!
Vivien Pelmore - I love travelling, exploring new places and finding out as much as I can. Andalucia in Spain is my home and has been since 1997 although I ...
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