If you’re anything like me, when you go on holiday you’ll be hoping to come home with a few souvenirs of your trip. Tenerife’s markets stand out as the top places on the island for a spot of retail therapy if, like me, you love seeking out authentic local stores and bustling street stalls when travelling.
To help you decide which of the island’s markets you want to visit – or how much time you’d like to dedicate to each – I’ve put together a brief guide to three of the biggest and best.
Mercado de la Laguna
Mercado de la Laguna is held every day in Plaza del Cristo in San Cristobal de La Laguna, with the stall holders typically opening from 14:00 local time. This is a food market, so it’s an absolute must-visit if you’re keen to try a host of Tenerife’s delicacies, as well as specialities from elsewhere in Spain.
There are fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat and various other products on sale, with many of the vendors offering samples of their produce to the numerous shoppers who flock here every day. The majority of the stallholders are local farmers, so you know that anything you try is fresh.
Before you rush in to sample all the delicious goods on offer, take a moment to admire the impressive flower display by the entrance to the market. If you visit on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, you can also pay a visit to the agricultural market that is held here alongside the usual stands.
Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa
Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa is one of Tenerife’s largest markets, with over 300 stalls found here. It’s located in the island’s capital Santa Cruz and is always a delight to explore, although I’d especially recommend doing some shopping on a Sunday when the Santa Cruz Rastro also takes place around the edges of the main market.
In addition to excellent fresh food, you’ll also find a range of arts and crafts products on sale, including leather items, musical instruments and a host of other trinkets that make wonderful souvenirs.
The Mercado de Nuestra Senora de Africa has been held since the 1940s and you really can turn your shopping expedition into a day trip, as the building where the stalls are set up is also home to numerous cafes and food outlets around its charming courtyard.
Mercadillo del Agricultor de Tacoronte
My final choice of a market to visit in Tenerife is Mercadillo del Agricultor de Tacoronte, which is held in the district of San Juan in the north of the island. As with the other two markets I’ve mentioned, this one also specialises in food and local produce, again giving you a wonderful opportunity to sample authentic Canarian cuisines and ingredients.
This market has been running since the early 1980s and is open every Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 until 14:00 local time. Among the best items to look out for here are the locally-made honey and wines that are produced in the surrounding area. I think a bottle or two of one of Tenerife’s vintages would make a great present for friends back home, or be an excellent way for you to remember your holiday in the sunshine after you’ve returned home.
