Mercat Central d'Alacant is a covered food market on Avenida Alfonso El Sabio in central Alicante, spread across two floors. Its stalls sell fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, cheeses and cured meats, with tapas bars and places to eat among the counters. Look for local specialties such as mojama, red prawns from Santa Pola and turrón, or browse for unfamiliar fruit and freshly roasted nuts. It is a useful stop for seeing how locals shop and for putting together a market lunch.
A market across two floors
Mercat Central occupies a block on Avenida Alfonso El Sabio, between Captain Segarra and Carrer Calderón de la Barca. The covered hall has two levels, with meat stalls mostly upstairs and fish and vegetables on the lower floor. Across the market, stalls sell fruit, seafood, meat, cheeses, sausages, ham and other food for the kitchen.
Take time to look at what is on display, including unfamiliar fruits and vegetables. The market is also a practical place to pick up ingredients if you are staying somewhere with a kitchen. There are more than 200 stalls and shops, each with its own range of products.
Local flavors to look for
A few specialties connect the market to Alicante and its food traditions. Mojama is dry-cured tuna, while red prawns come from the nearby harbor of Santa Pola. Turrón, an almond-based sweet, is especially associated with Christmas. Other things to seek out include freshly roasted nuts, fruit you may not recognize and magdalena cupcakes from a bakery stall.
The market's food reflects Alicante's coastal setting, with seafood alongside produce from the nearby agricultural area. You can browse first, then choose a stall for a snack or ingredients to take away. Some counters have table or counter seating, and the market also has small tapas and wine bars.
Eating at the stalls
A visit can become a relaxed meal as well as a shopping stop. ANAMAR cooks food for €4 per plate, and a nearby chef prepares seasonal mushrooms at lunchtime. The market's tapas counters and cafés give you other places to pause, with wine and beer available at some stalls.
If you have time and are hungry, grazing across several counters lets you sample different offerings rather than settling on one meal. The produce stalls remain part of the setting, so expect to be among shoppers and food displays as you eat. The market is wheelchair accessible, with lift access reported by visitors.
Perguntas frequentes
What can you buy at Mercat Central d'Alacant?
The stalls sell fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, cheeses, sausages, ham and other food. You can also find local specialties such as mojama, Santa Pola red prawns and turrón.
Are there places to eat inside the market?
Yes. There are tapas and wine bars, cafés and stalls with counter or table seating. ANAMAR cooks food for €4 per plate, and a nearby chef prepares seasonal mushrooms at lunchtime.
How many floors does the market have?
The market has two floors. Meat stalls are mostly upstairs, while fish and vegetable stalls are on the lower floor.
Is Mercat Central d'Alacant open on Sundays?
No. The market is closed on Sundays.
