Municipal Meat Market of Vilafranca del Penedès

Mercat de la Carn is a municipal market in Vilafranca del Penedès, housed in a catalogued 19th-century building on Plaça del Vall del Castell. The market opened in 1882 and was fully renovated in 2008, when a new intermediate floor doubled its floor space. It is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm and Saturday from 8am to 2pm.

About Mercat de la Carn

The building was designed by Catalan architect Adrià Casademunt i Vidal and is one of the older covered market halls in the Barcelona province. Originally dedicated entirely to meat sales, it now carries a full range of fresh produce across its 15 stalls. The 2008 renovation preserved the historic structure while modernising the facilities, and the market is fully wheelchair accessible.

For a full list of covered markets in the area, see municipal markets in Vilafranca del Penedès.

What to buy at Mercat de la Carn

Meat and poultry remain the market's core, but you'll also find fish and seafood, cheese and dairy, bread and pastries, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Stalls accept cash, contactless card and mobile payments.

The market has a terrace restaurant, La terrassa del Mercat, run by El Cigró d'Or. It serves breakfasts, lunches and dinners Tuesday to Sunday, with dishes based on produce from the market itself.

How to get to Mercat de la Carn

The market is at Plaça del Vall del Castell, 17, in central Vilafranca del Penedès. Vilafranca is around 50 km southwest of Barcelona and is served by the R4 train line from Passeig de Gràcia and Barcelona Sants. The walk from the train station to the market takes about 10 minutes. Street parking is available nearby.

Where to stay in Vilafranca del Penedès

Staying in the Town Centre puts you within easy walking distance of the Municipal Meat Market and the rest of the old town. The Hotel Domo is a solid central option, and there are several smaller guesthouses around the Rambla de Sant Francesc if you prefer something more low-key.

If you have a car, you could also consider staying in the surrounding Penedès wine country and driving in for the market. That way you get the best of both, a convenient market visit and some proper wine country scenery to go with it.

What are the opening hours of Mercat de la Carn?

Mercat de la Carn opens Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm, and Saturday from 8am to 2pm, with all 15 stalls trading during those hours. The market is closed on Sundays, so a Saturday morning visit is the best option outside the working week for anyone who can't make a weekday trip before 1:30pm.

Is there a restaurant at Mercat de la Carn?

Yes, La terrassa del Mercat is a terrace restaurant inside Mercat de la Carn, run by El Cigró d'Or, serving breakfasts, lunches and dinners Tuesday to Sunday with dishes built around produce from the market's own stalls, so you can eat what's actually on sale that morning.