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Reasons to Visit Madrid’s Farmer’s Market

Written by Laurence

Madrid Cultivates and Produces is the headline slogan for Madrid’s now famous farmer’s market, the Dia de Mercado. This farmer’s market was created in 2011 by the Agricultural Association of the Community of Madrid, the Cámara Agraria, in response to a growing need to create a formal meeting point for local Madrid farmers and producers to sell their products direct to the public without intermediaries.

Held once a month on in the Puerta del Angel neighbourhood, at Calle de la Puerta del Ángel 4, 28011, the market is easily accessed by metro, at stations Lago (L10) or Puerta del Ángel (L6). The market days are generally held on the first Saturday of each month, but ShMadrid always advises you to check out the website of the Cámara Agraria, before setting out to be sure.

Related article: The Best Organic Supermarkets in Madrid

Why you should visit this market

It’s free!

5 glasses of wine with 5 different cheeses

Photo via Pixabay

There’s no entrance fee to the market, and it can be a great family day out, or even a fun date for couples. It’s a beautiful setting within Madrid’s huge green space Casa de Campo, and overlooks the Casa de Campo lake.

After you’ve done your shopping, why not make a picnic of your fresh produce on the lake’s edge, or relax in the area’s shady pine groves.

Enormous variety

At the farmer’s market, you’ll find pretty much everything you could want, including:

  • breads and pastries
  • meat and poultry
  • organic produce
  • eggs
  • olive oils
  • honey
  • local handicrafts
  • cheeses and cured meats
  • wines, beers, ciders, ales and of course, local vermouths

Free wine tastings!

Be sure to purchase a wine glass at the entrance to the market, which can be used for free wine tastings throughout the stalls.

Related article: Where to Do a Wine Tasting in Madrid

Fresh and organic

fresh fruit on display, blueberries, plums, nectarines

Photo via Pixabay

Regulated by the farmer’s association, the Camera Agraria, you can be sure that market stalls claiming organic status have been thoroughly tested and approved.

Madrid locals take their organic and bio-dynamic produce seriously, as will be evidenced by the abundance of fresh certified organic produce on offer.

Support local producers

With effects of the economic crisis still weighing heavily upon Spanish shoulders, and unemployment still a great issue within Madrid’s economy, you’ll feel great to know you’re supporting locals, rather than conglomerate supermarket chains and buying overseas imports.

Help the environment

Because all produce is sourced/grown/made/reared locally within the Communidad de Madrid, you can be sure that there are no air miles going into the transport of your food, and minimal C02 emissions – especially if you ride your bicycle to the market!

Have you been to the farmer’s market before? Did you like it here?

About the author

Laurence

Laurence is an Australian expat, who has been living in Europe for about 10 years.

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