La Mata Market

There is no building here and no fixed shop fronts: the stalls go up on the road early and come down again at 2pm, the same hours every Wednesday. The 160 pitches split roughly between food and everything else.

Fresh vegetables and fresh fruit are the backbone of the market, sold loose by the kilo from crates rather than pre-packed, so bring a bag.

The rest is clothing and textiles, footwear and leather: rails of shirts and dresses, tables of trainers and sandals, belts and bags. Walk the whole length before buying, because the same kind of stall turns up more than once.

La Mata is on the coast, and the area around La Mata puts you within easy walking distance of the market, with plenty of apartments and small hotels to choose from.

If you'd rather base yourself in the main town, Torrevieja Centre is a short drive or bus ride away, with more options for restaurants in the evening.

The market runs along Avenida de Francia and Canal del Acequión in La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja, a short distance inland from the La Mata beachfront. Street parking near the stalls goes early on a Wednesday. It is one of several street markets in Torrevieja, and the town also has covered municipal markets open on other days.