Moraira Market

Holidaymakers staying in the towns and villages of north Costa Blanca who enjoy rummaging for a bargain should head for Moraira Market. With a picturesque backdrop of mountains and 8 kilometres of rugged coastline giving way here and there to secluded sandy bays, Moraira is a great place to visit on any day, but it's Friday mornings that really sees the town buzz with life.

As with most street markets on the Costa Blanca during peak season, parking on market day can be a nightmare and doubly so in Moraira as the market is held in the town's car park, leaving very little space for the additional vehicles arriving, although there is a further dusty area where cars can park (you will need to visit the car wash afterwards). Just a couple of kilometres inland from Moraira is the small town of Teluda that holds a Wednesday morning market, although not as large and touristy, the focus being mainly on fresh produce. Moraira Market is held every Friday from around 08:30 – 13:30 and it's advisable to arrive early.

Moraira Market Stalls

Wandering the lovely market stalls here you will notice how friendly the stall holders are, most of them locals and many having lived in the area all their lives, which is a pleasant change from the big city markets where a lot of the stall holders are not exactly ‘legal' in the country and with the cutthroat competition have become somewhat surly. Products on offer include the usual fresh fruit and veg stalls, butcher vans and fishmongers offering a delightful selection of fish and seafood fresh from Moraira's daily fish market.

A favourite at any market with the locals and foreigners alike are the delicatessen vans and stalls, groaning under the weight of huge blocks of cheese, cured haunches of delicious Serrano ham, strings of cured sausages, plump marinaded olives and all sorts of pickles, preserves, dried fruit and nuts. Hungry? Head for the cooked food stalls that offer snacks such as burgers, hot dogs, filled baguettes and mouthwatering rotisserie chickens and spare ribs. For those with a sweet tooth, the local ‘Churros' play a melody on the tong, especially when dipped in melted chocolate, and for the young ones there is always a great selection of pick & mix sweets.

It isn't really beneficial to try haggling on food items as, you may get an extra orange thrown in, but will more than likely just get a scathing look! Save it for the non food items where you will find some great buys such as the local leather goods, pottery, ceramics, basket ware, hand made embroidery, rugs, cushions, shawls and delightful girls flamenco dresses and shoes. Other items on sale include new and second hand clothing, shoes, hats, fashion accessories, jewellery, toys, electronics, gadgets, mobile phone accessories, home and kitchenware, DIY goods, tools, gardening items, plants and flowers.