Paz Market

The market opened on 4 October 1882, designed by architect Antonio Ruiz de Salces. Built to serve the then-new Barrio de Salamanca, which was developed under Madrid's Castro expansion plan in the 1860s, it was the last 19th-century municipal market to be built in the city. The iron and glass construction draws on the same industrial aesthetic popularised by Gustave Eiffel's work. A major renovation in 1985 and 1986 modernised the interior while preserving the original structure. Three entrances serve shoppers: the main door on Calle Ayala, plus access from Lagasca and Claudio Coello.

The stalls cover all the essentials: fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, cheese and dairy, and fresh bread. Quality skews high, as you'd expect in Salamanca, and several stalls are worth seeking out specifically. Casa Dani, which has operated here since 1991, is widely considered one of the best places in Madrid to eat tortilla española, turning out around 200 a day with a gooey, barely-set centre. La Boulette focuses on Spanish and French artisan cheeses, while Pescadería José Ramón is the stall for almadraba bluefin tuna and premium shellfish. Nine small restaurants and a bar are also inside the market, including a spot specialising in oysters and champagne. Cash, cards, and contactless payments are all accepted throughout.

The market is at Calle de Ayala 28B. The nearest metro stations are Serrano and Velázquez on Line 4, both within a short walk. Lines 5 and 9 also serve the area. There's a parking garage at the market itself, plus public car parks at Serrano 39 and Velázquez 50 nearby. You can browse the full range of municipal markets in Madrid to plan further stops, including Mercado de Chamberí in the adjacent neighbourhood. The official market website at mercadodelapaz.com also has an online shop if you want to order from individual stalls.