Noucentista Market

Mercat Noucentista is an annual open-air market in Vilanova i la Geltrú, held each May around Sant Isidre, the patron saint of farmers. Around 30 stalls wind from Plaça de les Cols along Carrer del Comerç to Plaça de Pau Casals, with the highlight being a flavours and aromas tasting experience in the garden of the nearby Museu Romàntic Can Papiol. Vendors dress in early 20th-century costume, weigh produce on antique scales, and display goods in wicker baskets and wooden crates, recreating the street market atmosphere of the Noucentisme era.

What to buy

The focus is squarely on local and seasonal produce. You'll find escarola perruqueta and col paperina, two vegetable varieties closely associated with Vilanova, alongside honey, cheese, artisan bread, cured meats, wine, oil, and craft beer. A separate tasting area at Can Papiol serves traditional coques, creams, and tapas made with local ingredients. Most stalls are run by farmers and small producers from the Garraf coast and the Penedès farmland just inland.

How to get to Mercat Noucentista

The market starts at Plaça de les Cols in the centre of Vilanova i la Geltrú. Rodalies trains run from Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia roughly every 15 minutes, with the journey taking around 40 minutes. Direct bus service from Barcelona (Sepúlveda/Urgell stop) takes about 47 minutes. The square is a short walk from Vilanova train station. For other municipal markets in Vilanova i la Geltrú, the Centre Market on Plaça Soler i Carbonell is open year-round Monday to Saturday.

Where to stay in Vilanova i la Geltrú

Staying close to the seafront puts you within easy reach of the Noucentista Market and the town's main attractions. Town Centre is your best base, with most hotels a short walk from the market. The Hotel Ceferino is a solid, centrally located option that many visitors use as a comfortable starting point.

If you prefer something closer to the beach, the area around Passeig Marítim gives you easy access to both the sea and the town centre, and you can walk to the market in under ten minutes from most spots there.

When does the Mercat Noucentista take place?

The market is held annually in May, timed to coincide with Sant Isidre (15 May), the feast day of the patron saint of farmers. It runs on a Sunday morning, typically from 10am to 2pm. Check the Vilanova tourism website closer to the date for the exact day each year.

What is the Mercat Noucentista famous for?

It's one of the few markets in Catalonia that recreates a historical market atmosphere in full period style. Vendors wear early 20th-century dress, use antique weighing scales, and display produce in wicker baskets. The inclusion of the Can Papiol museum garden as a tasting space, serving noucentista-era flavours, sets it apart from any other local market event.

What local produce can you find at the Mercat Noucentista?

The market showcases produce specific to the Vilanova area, particularly escarola perruqueta and col paperina, two traditional vegetable varieties cultivated locally. You'll also find honey, oils, cheese, cured meats, and seasonal fruit and vegetables from Garraf coast farms and the Penedès farmland nearby.