Street Markets in Cuevas del Almanzora

There is no single big market day here. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday each carry one street market, and nothing sets up on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. That spread suits anyone staying in the area for a few days, since you can catch a market on three mornings out of seven without repeating yourself. All three open at 8am and finish by 2pm, which is earlier than the coastal resort markets further south and worth knowing if you were planning a slow start. The city's full market listing covers every market in the municipality.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are the reason to come early, and alongside them the stalls carry clothing and textiles, footwear and leather goods, handicrafts, and secondhand books and magazines. It is a practical mix rather than a tourist one: this is where people in Cuevas and the outlying villages do a weekly shop. Traders begin packing up before the 2pm close, so the first two hours are when the tables are still full. Carry cash, since card acceptance varies from one stall to the next. Almería province runs hundreds more markets, listed on the province page.

Staying in the town centre puts you within walking distance of the Wednesday market and the castle and main square, which is the simplest option if you would rather not drive to an 8am opening. The town has limited accommodation of its own, so many visitors base themselves a short drive away in Vera, which has far more hotels and apartments. From there a car is essential, particularly for the Sunday market at Villaricos on the coast, which is not walkable from the town.