Gran Canaria Markets
Spanish islands generally have many markets, and Gran Canaria is certainly no exception. The island is teeming with markets, especially on weekends. The main markets are located in the holiday villages on the south coast, and here it is the tourists who dominate. The more authentic markets typically take place in the mountain villages.
The supply of goods is very different. The tourist markets offer just about everything from local food to clothing, handicrafts and jewellery. Local markets are often limited to fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses, cakes and other foods from local producers.
Note: Markets are open from approximately 8:00 am to 2:00pm, if nothing else is specified.
Las Palmas (Monday to Sunday)
Las Palmas’ largest market is Mercado Central De Las Palmas, which is close to Plaza de España. It is a market hall with 120 fixed stands, open all day Monday to Saturday. Here there are butchers, fishmongers, cheese merchants and much more.
In the beautiful historic district of Vegueta there are two other options. Every Sunday there is a cozy market on the Pilar Nuevo Square, often with music and entertainment between the beautiful buildings. The second option is Mercado de Vegueta, a market hall built back in 1863, and thus the oldest market in Las Palmas. The market is open daily from Monday to Saturday.
Puerto de Mogán (Monday and Friday)
The Friday market at the port of Puerto de Mogán is one of the largest markets in Gran Canaria. The market is targeted by tourists and the stands are partly the same as in the markets of ArguineguÃn and Maspalomas. Lots of goods of all kinds, and lots of people.
Monday’s market is smaller and focuses on local artisans who sell their products.
ArguineguÃn (Tuesday and Saturday)
ArguineguÃn’s largest market is held on Tuesday in the area around Plaza Negra. Here there is an offering of diverse range of goods targeted at the island’s tourists. On Saturdays there is a flea market in ArguineguÃn, it is held at plaza de las Marañuelas, right where the beach and the harbor meet.
Maspalomas, San Fernando (Wednesday and Saturday)
The market in the district of San Fernando in Maspalomas, together with the Puerto de Mogán and ArguineguÃn markets, is among the largest markets in Gran Canaria. In the other two cities the surroundings are a little nicer, but the goods offered in the three markets are pretty much the same.
Puerto Rico (Monday and every other Sunday)
The market in Puerto Rico is held every other Sunday. Although the market is located in the island’s second largest tourist town, it is not a distinct tourist market. Many of the stands sell fresh food directly from the farms and local producers. Occasionally there is music and folk dancing at the market, which is located in the area of the large shopping center.
In the same place there is market every Monday night from 5:00pm to 10:30pm, but only in the timeframe of October to March. In this market, the most local artisans sell different kinds of handicrafts etc.
Arucas (Saturday)
Arucas is a nice mountain village with a weekly market every Saturday. There are about 100 stands, and several of them sell the rum Arehucas from the city’s rum factory. The rum factory is unfortunately closed on Saturdays, but it is still worth visiting the nice old town.
Telde (Saturday)
Telde is the second largest city in Gran Canaria. Saturday’s market is also quite large, but the special thing about the market is that it is not overrun by tourists. On the market, agricultural products and other food products are mainly sold from local producers. Duplicates of the sculpture Idolo de Tara (see picture) are often seen at the market in Telde, as the original is believed to have been found in the nearby village of Tara. Idolo de Tara is considered the goddess of fertility.
Teror (Sunday)
The market in Teror used to be a secret tip, but that’s no longer the case. The beautiful city and the beautiful surroundings draw many visitors to the relatively large market. The specialty of this market is the sausage Chorizo de Teror, which is smeared on homemade bread.
San Mateo (Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday’s)
The market in San Mateo is located in a covered market hall with around 100 stands, which predominantly sell groceries. Often there is live music to enjoy.
Jinamar (Sunday)
On Sundays there is a market in the town of Jinamar, which is just south of Las Palmas. Despite the fact that most people have probably never heard of Jinamar, it is a huge market with about 300 stands. It is predominantly visited by local residents, and that means lower prices. Many stands sell Canarian regional dishes that can be enjoyed on site.
Other markets
Aguimes: By the local swimming pool – Thursday
Galdar: Plaza de Santiago – Thursday
San Bartolom̩: Plaza de Santiago de Tunte РSunday
Santa MarÃa de GuÃa: At the City Hall – Tuesday
Valsequillo: Calle Isla de la Gomera – Sunday
Vecindario: Plaza de Sant Rafael – Wednesday
