Mercado de Abastos
A vibrant market where you buy fresh seafood downstairs and have it cooked upstairs, offering an authentic taste of Galicia.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Freshest produce & 'buy and cook' service
Mercado de Abastos
Best Time
Freshest produce & 'buy and cook' service
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant market where you buy fresh seafood downstairs and have it cooked upstairs, offering an authentic taste of Galicia.
"Experience the freshest seafood imaginable at this market – buy it downstairs, have it cooked upstairs!"
🎯 'Buy and Cook' Timing
Plan to arrive before 13:00/13:30 to use the 'buy and cook' service upstairs.
🐟 Select Your Own Seafood
Choose your fish downstairs and have it cooked your way upstairs for ultimate freshness.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Fresh Seafood Delights
Ground floor stalls and upstairs restaurant
Experience the aroma of the sea! Choose your catch downstairs and have it cooked to perfection upstairs.
Vibrant Produce Stalls
Ground floor
A colorful array of local fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Perfect for sampling or picking up picnic supplies.
Tapas and Drinks Upstairs
First floor
Enjoy a vermouth or tapas at one of the bars, often featuring ingredients sourced directly from the market below.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Morning Freshness
The 'Buy and Cook' Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Travelling in Pontevedra with parents in 60s (sorry to post in English)
🎯 'Buy and Cook' Timing
Plan to arrive before 13:00/13:30 to use the 'buy and cook' service upstairs.
🐟 Select Your Own Seafood
Choose your fish downstairs and have it cooked your way upstairs for ultimate freshness.
🍷 Upstairs Tapas Experience
Don't miss the tapas bars upstairs for a drink and light bites.
🚶♂️ Easy Access for All
The market is well-maintained and offers easy navigation, suitable for all ages.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 'Buy and Cook' Timing
Plan to arrive before 13:00/13:30 to use the 'buy and cook' service upstairs.
🐟 Select Your Own Seafood
Choose your fish downstairs and have it cooked your way upstairs for ultimate freshness.
🍷 Upstairs Tapas Experience
Don't miss the tapas bars upstairs for a drink and light bites.
🚶♂️ Easy Access for All
The market is well-maintained and offers easy navigation, suitable for all ages.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Mercado de Abastos, particularly praising the unique 'buy and cook' experience where fresh seafood bought downstairs is expertly prepared upstairs. The vibrant atmosphere, fresh produce, and delicious tapas also receive high marks. Some note that the 'buy and cook' service has specific hours, so planning is key.
"This is an authentic market with lots of fish and seafood (love the aroma). The best time to visit in the morning when everything is at its freshest. There is even a small restaurant upstairs that will cook and serve your fish that you purchase downstairs! You can find public washrooms upstairs too."
Ken Hook
"AMAZING!!! MUST TO GO!!! Get your fresh catch you can only imagine or choose from huge selection of meats, buy it and bring it up stairs where lovely people in the bar Praza will prepare it for you in your preferred way.
It just can't be any fresher and better in general."
Tomas Zimeris
"Really cool market. Downstairs is the traditional Spanish market with fruit, veg, fish and meat. We picked up a few chorizos. Not expensive, Upstairs is a range of tapas bars, wine and cocktail bars. Great place to visit, eat a tapa or have a drink. We had a vermouth - lovely. We had a few tapas - cheap and good. Such a nice place. Something for everyone"
Patrick Bastow
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mercado de Abastos is centrally located in Pontevedra, making it easily accessible on foot if you're staying in the city center. If arriving by car, there are parking garages nearby. Public transport options are also available, with bus stops close to the market.
Yes, the market is well-maintained and has accessible facilities, including public washrooms upstairs. The layout is generally easy to navigate, making it suitable for visitors of all ages, including those in their 60s.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to Mercado de Abastos is generally free. You only pay for the food and drinks you purchase within the market.
The market is typically open in the mornings, with the 'buy and cook' service upstairs available until around 13:00 or 13:30. It's best to check specific hours closer to your visit, especially for the upstairs establishments.
Absolutely! This is one of the main attractions. You buy your fresh fish downstairs and take it to one of the upstairs bars to be cooked for you.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You'll find a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and an exceptional selection of seafood. Upstairs, you can enjoy tapas, wine, cocktails, and meals prepared from the fresh market ingredients.
The 'buy and cook' service is generally considered very reasonably priced, offering excellent value for the freshness and quality of the meal.
While the market is renowned for its seafood and meats, you can find fresh fruits and vegetables downstairs. Some of the upstairs tapas bars may also offer vegetarian options, but it's best to inquire directly.
Yes, you can find stalls selling local cheeses and cured meats like chorizo downstairs, perfect for sampling or taking home.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed, but it's always polite to ask vendors before taking close-up shots of their produce or if you're photographing people directly.
The colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, and seafood downstairs offer great photo opportunities. The lively atmosphere upstairs at the tapas bars can also make for interesting shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting in the morning when it's less crowded. While the focus is on fresh ingredients, some upstairs bars may offer simpler options that appeal to younger palates. Public washrooms are available upstairs for convenience.
👴 Seniors and Those Seeking Comfort
The 'buy and cook' service is ideal, allowing you to select your meal and then relax while it's prepared. This minimizes the need for prolonged standing or walking, making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience for seniors.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The 'Buy and Cook' Culinary Experience
It's important to note the timing for this experience. The 'buy and cook' service is typically available only until around 13:00 or 13:30. Therefore, planning your visit for the morning is essential to fully enjoy this extraordinary culinary adventure. The combination of selecting your own ingredients and having them expertly prepared at a very reasonable price makes this a must-do for any food lover visiting Pontevedra.
Exploring the Market's Offerings
Upstairs, the market transforms into a lively hub of tapas bars and eateries. Here, you can savor a variety of small plates, enjoy a glass of local wine or a refreshing vermouth, and soak in the bustling atmosphere. It's a fantastic place to experience the local culture and sample a wide array of flavors, often using ingredients sourced directly from the market below.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit