Ávila Ecological Agriculture Market

Fifteen stalls is a small market by Spanish standards, and that is the point: a four-hour Saturday slot means growers bring what has just been cut rather than what has been sitting in a cold store. Arrive nearer 10am than 2pm for first choice of the vegetables, and bring a bag.

Organic vegetables and fruit are the backbone of the market, changing with the Castilian growing season. Alongside them are bread and baked goods, spices and herbs, and stalls selling flowers and plants, which makes this a useful stop for a window box as well as for the week's cooking.

Staying within Avila's medieval walls puts you closest to the market and the city's main sights. Try the Parador de Avila for something special, or the Hotel El Rastro if you want a charming, well-located option at a more modest price. If you'd prefer more choice, the city centre has several good hotels and guesthouses within easy walking distance of Plaza del Ejército.

Plaza del Ejército, 05001 Ávila, is a short walk from the city walls and the cathedral, so the market folds easily into a morning on foot around the old town. The city council lists opening hours and any changes on its markets page. If you want somewhere indoors instead, see Ávila's covered municipal markets.