Oh, how much I love food markets! I don’t know how others are, but to me, no visit to a new place is complete without looking up for the city’s central market. I left behind long ago those spirited years when I was running around museums and galleries, statues and famous buildings trying to cover everything was there to be seen and photograped. Nowadays, just give me directions to a central city food market and I am the happiest explorer around. There are so many things you learn about a community and a place you are visiting just by strolling around the area were locals buy their provisions. Here in Spain, most of the “Mercados de abastos” are real food paradises on earth and Cadiz Central Market is no exception. Renovated few years ago with pride and respect for the past, the market offers open and covered areas. Welcoming vendors, appetizing products and inviting aromas excite the senses and the entire atmosphere.
Colorful and fresh fruit and vegetables
The most impressive area here is the fish department. Being a harbor to the Atlantic ocean, Cadiz boasts all kind of sea creatures and seafood, fish you can name or struggle to recognize: shrimp, mussels, sword fish, tuna, tiny morsels, or deep sea monsters. We wondered around the stalls admiring beautiful displays of fragrant fruit and vegetables, fresh and colorful out of this world seafood, aromatic herbs and tasty cold cuts. What a great exposure to a charming mix of butchers, fish dealers and vendors of everything from fruit and veggies to nuts, honey, jamon and cheese. We finished our excursion into this garden of delights at a small bar inside the market trying some delicious tapas. Of course we couldn’t leave the market before treating ourselves to a glass of the famous local sherry. That’s exactly what we did and it seemed we weren’t the only ones doing it. As climate is mild and healthy, both locals and tourists literally flock to Cadiz Central Market to enjoy their wine, excellent tapas, and, last but not least, a nice chat!
Spices, and dried herbs
Tempting cold cuts and cheese
The most impressive area in the market. The fish and seafood department
…and of course we did what locals do, enjoyed a cold glass of sherry and one of wine
Cadiz Central Market on the web:
