There is no better way to understand a local culture than by visiting its local food markets. Far from being just a place to buy groceries, food markets in Seville are gathering spots where neighbors chit chat and gossip, where they shop stall by stall and order their favorite tapas at the small market bars and restaurants. They’re places that allow you a unique peek at local life, where you can see what types of foods people are buying and imagine the delicacies they are cooking.

Seville is home to its fair share of food markets, but three markets stick out as something truly special. Here are our favorite local markets in Seville.

Mercado de Triana

Built over the remains of the Castillo de San Jorge (that’s right, a castle!) and completely renovated in 2001, there is something special about this beautiful Spanish market. From fresh fruits and veggies to booths specializing in oysters, spices, craft beers, and even snails, the Triana market is worth a visit to take it all in.

What’s more, the food offerings have become even better in recent years. It’s now also a great place to grab a pre-lunch bite, or even to stick around for the full deal as you wander through the Triana neighborhood.

Mercado de la Feria

Mercado de la Feria is a true treasure, hidden away towards the end of one of the most colorful streets in the city. It’s the oldest market in Seville, founded in 1719, and last restored in 1982. As you pass through its narrow hallways, you can imagine the Seville of years past, and as you have a beer and a tapa in the small courtyard you can’t help but fall more in love with this city.

Mercado de la Encarnación

When Seville’s central Plaza de la Encarnación was redone, it was a controversial subject, to say the least. But whether or not you are a fan of the setas (locals refer to the Metropol Parasol structure as “the mushrooms”), if you live in the neighborhood you likely shop at the food market located inside. Normally modern food markets in Spain risk losing their charm, everything is made to look uniform and the spaces are barely distinguishable from your local supermarket. But Mercado de la Encarnación has done a great job keeping the charm of older markets in Seville, and each vendor has their goods beautifully displayed. If you’re staying centrally without much time, definitely pop in for a great glimpse at market life.

Step into one of our favorite food markets in Seville when you join us on our Tastes, Tapas & Traditions of Seville Tour! Our experience starts off at Mercado de la Encarnación, where you’ll get an eye-opening look at this bustling center of day-to-day life where sevillanos come to grocery shop, meet up with friends, and so much more. That’s just the first of many fascinating stops along the way as we eat our way through the Andalusian capital!

This blog post was updated on March 23, 2017.