Úbeda Food Market

The 25 stalls cover a full daily shop: fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, cheese and dairy, and bread and pastries. Because this is a covered hall rather than an open square, the fish and meat counters trade in the shade right through a Jaén summer, and the same traders are there six mornings a week rather than on one market day. Come before mid-morning if you want the fish counters at their best, since the 7am opening is set by locals doing the day's shopping, not by visitors.

Úbeda's historic centre is the obvious base, putting you within easy reach of the market and the stunning Renaissance architecture all around it. Try the Parador de Ubeda, which sits right on the Plaza de Vázquez de Molina and is one of the finest paradores in Andalusia, or look at options in Casco Histórico if you want something smaller and more affordable.

Staying central means you can walk everywhere without needing a car, which makes the whole visit a lot more relaxed. The Hotel Palacio de Úbeda is another solid choice if you want boutique character in a historic building close to the action.

The market is at Plaza Gallego Díaz, 1, in Úbeda's historic centre, within easy walking distance of the city's main Renaissance monuments. Street parking is available in the surrounding streets, and public car parks sit close to the old town. Úbeda is about 57km from Jaén city by road. The hall is wheelchair accessible, so you can get in and around the counters step-free, and stalls take contactless and mobile payments as well as cash.