Hotels near Mercado Central

Mercado Central is one of the largest covered fresh-food markets in Europe, opened in 1928 inside a Modernist building of stained glass, ceramic tiles, wrought iron, and a soaring central dome topped by a parrot weathervane. It covers more than 8,000 square metres and hosts close to 1,000 active stalls selling everything that goes into a Valencian kitchen.

The layout repays a slow lap. Outer stalls sell fruit and vegetables grown in the surrounding huerta irrigated farmland; the central rings hold seafood, jamón ibérico carved to order, cheeses, dry-cured sausages, and the dried beans, snails, and bomba rice that go into a proper paella valenciana. Central Bar by Ricard Camarena - a 20-seat tapas counter inside the market - is one of the best lunches in the city. The market closes at 15:00 daily and all day Sunday.

Pro Tip: Grab a bocadillo de calamares and a glass of vermouth at one of the bar stalls between 12:00 and 13:00 - locals stop by on their way home from work and the energy is at its peak. Avoid 14:30 onwards when stallholders are packing up.