Try to make it to one of the farmers’ markets in Gran Canaria if you can. The farmers sell their own produce and it is a joy to buy lovely fresh fruit and vegetables. The prices are good and you can find all kinds of things for sale.
There are other markets in Gran Canaria selling everything from clothing to souvenirs, handmade pottery, and so much more. Even if you don’t buy, it’s fun to look around 🙂
Photo by Karen V Bryan
You can haggle over prices at a Gran Canaria market. If you don’t haggle you are likely to pay too much. If you are able to haggle well, by the time you leave you will have picked up some great bargains and had a lot of fun. Don’t be shy about haggling!
This is a guide to when the different markets are on. You can see that some towns have more than one a week. Some of these markets are in towns which have museums and other places of interest, so you perhaps you could combine your shopping at the market with some sightseeing, and make a full day of it.
Aguimes |
Thursday. 8am until 2pm. Situated next to the municipal swimming pool. |
Arguineguin |
Tuesday. 8am until 2pm. Held in the market square. Thursday. 8am until 2pm. Held at the Ancora Centre. |
Arucas |
Saturday. 8am until 2pm. On Calle Alcalde Codorniú Rodríguez y Fernando Caubín Ponce. |
Galdar |
Thursday. 8am until 2pm. At the market place in Plaza de Santiago. |
Ingenio |
The first Sunday of every month. 9am until 3pm. Held in the Ejido. |
Jinámar, Telde |
Sunday. 9am until 3pm. Held at the entrance to Jinámar town. |
Las Palmas |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. On the top floor of the bus terminal next to San Telmo Park. |
Vegueta |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. Not held during July, August and September. The rest of the year it is found in the Plaza del Pilar Nuevo. Look out for the top-quality handmade goods. |
Maspalomas |
Saturday. From 10am until 2pm(ish). This is a car boot sale specialising in second hand items. Held in the car park at the Faro 2 shopping centre. Another market is every second Sunday from 9am until 2pm. This one is a farmers’ market. Held in the Pista de Patinaje (skating rink), San Fernando. |
Moya |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. Held at the bus station (estación de guaguas). |
Puerto de Mogan |
Monday. 9am until 2pm. Held at the Plaza del Parking. You can buy traditional Canarian goods here. Another one is Friday from 8am until 2pm and this one is in the harbour (come by ferry from Arguineguin or Puerto Rico). |
Playa del Ingles |
Daily except Sunda, 7.30pm until 11.30pm. Held in the Parque Europeo, close to the Aguila Roja (Irish Centre). |
San Bartolome de Tirajana |
Sunday. 9am until 2pm. Held at the Mercatunte marketplace. |
San Fernando |
Wednesday and Saturday. 8am until 2pm. Held at the Mercado Municipal market hall opposite the fire station. |
San Mateo |
Saturday. 7am until 7pm. Also Sunday 7am until 2pm. A real Canarian market with Canarian singing and dancing. Held in market hall. |
Santa Brigida |
Saturday and Sunday. 8am until 8pm. To find it, just follow the crowds and the noise, as this town is very small. |
Santa Lucia |
Sunday. 9am until 2pm. Located next to the town hall. |
Santa María de Guía |
Tuesday and Sunday. 8.30am until 1pm. Very close to the town hall. |
Telde |
Saturday. 8am until 2pm. Situated next to the bus station. |
Teror |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. Located in the square next to the church. Buy the fresh local produce or try the sweets which are handmade by the local nuns. |
Valsequillo |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. Held in the Valsequillo marketplace. |
Valleseco |
Sunday. 8am until 2pm. Held in the Mercado Municipal market hall. |
Vecindario |
Monday. 8am until 2pm. This is a Canarian/farm, held in the market building, Calle Juan XXIII. There is another on Wednesday. 8am until 2pm. This is a regular market. Also in Vecindario is a market every second Saturday. 8am until 2pm. This is another Canaria/farm market and is held in La Karpa, Avenida de Las Tirajanas. |
You can pick up gifts and souvenirs, food, clothing, ornaments and much, much more. And don’t forget to haggle! The initial prices are often deliberately high because haggling is expected, but once you give a price you are expected to stick to it, so if you don’t want to buy something you should politely refuse. Don’t back out once you’ve said a price – that’s considered bad form.
You aren’t going to have time to visit all these markets in Gran Canaria and many are held away from the resort towns, so it might be worth considering a hire car, for all or part of your holiday 🙂
Nice list, I have bookmarked it for our next stay on Gran Canaria. We visited the market in San Mateo in February. I was really blown away of how big it was and so much delicate food, not only vegetables, but cheese, wine, bread, cakes, snacks…and you name it! I have been to the markets on the south side of the island many times, but the trip to San Mateo was definitely worth it!!