Madrid el Rastro
I enjoyed spending an entire morning to lunch time exploring the famous Sunday Rastro market in Madrid. A popular weekend market, the Madrid el Rastro is worth visiting and find some unique antiques, collectibles or take some some yummy treats and souvenirs from your visit. Located in them Latina district of Madrid, the Rastro is casual and colorful to walk around the various streets in town.
Walking around the main streets of La Latina, this over 400 year old flea markets sells everything from curios, clothing, kitchen finds and furniture, jewelry, antiques to everyday objects.
For visitors and locals alike, el Rastro is a gathering place for local madrilenos to come shop, stroll and grab a bite at local bars and tapa bars around the La Latina neighborhood.
Where is el Rastro market located
The Rastro is located around La Latina mostly on La Ribera de Curidores and many of the side streets nearby. El Rastro meaning “the trails” comes from the old tanneries that existed in the area where the animals were transported from the slaughterhouses to nearby tanneries. The trail of blood being coined “El Rastro”
You can take the metro line to the La Latina district to La Latina or Tirso de Molina stations or walk directly from the main train station or surrounding neighborhoods
Find unique sellers and specialized stores in the area
Along the side streets of Calle Ribera de Curtidores are specialzed stores and sellers that sell specific items and products including:
Celle de San Cayetano – Called the painters’ street with several shops selling paintings, works or art and collectibles
Calle Fray Cefeino Gonzalez – Known as the bird street with many vendors that sell birds in the past, there are still a few shops that sell some colorful birds
Calle de Rodas, Plaza del General Vara del Rey – These streets sell a variety of paper proucts, cards, stickers and magazines
Calle del Carnero and Calle de Carlos Arniches – Used book vendors
Specialty fan vendor at el Rastro
Check out the specialty “barquilleros” (wafer sellers) around el Rastro
Tips to visiting el Rastro
Look out for specialty food vendors that sell delicious take away foods or hand made dishes
Walk through the side areas and not the main thoroughfare which gets clogged up easily, also take the side streets to visit other areas that are less crowded.
Attend early, it does get very crowded after 11am.
As always cash is king so bring enough Euro for any buys.
La Latina is a fun neighborhood to eat and explore after you are done with el Rastro
Check out the specialty shops that are also open and carry unique finds, antiques and collectibles.
Be careful of your wallet, cell phone and carry-ons, there are pick pockets that easily prey on distracted visitors.
Open hours – 9am and pack up at roughly 3pm. Located in the vicinity of Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores,
Checking out local deli specialties in La Latina district
Further Reading on Madrid
Free things to do in Madrid, Spain
Conclusion on a Madrid el Rastro
Thanks for checking out this post on Madrid el Rastro at Visiting Spain and Mediterranean.com, hope that this was helpful for planning a visit with things to do, attractions and other fun places to explore. Please come back again for more adventures in Spain and the Mediterranean coast.
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