Markets in Tenerife: the best markets and street fairs to visit

Exploring the markets in Tenerife is one of the most authentic experiences the island has to offer. Beyond the beaches and natural parks, the local markets connect you with Canarian culture, the island’s produce and the everyday rhythm of its people. If you want to experience Tenerife like a local, these are the markets you simply cannot miss.

The best markets in Tenerife

Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with the family, the markets in Tenerife offer far more than a place to shop — they are spaces of community, gastronomy and tradition. From stalls brimming with tropical fruit and artisan cheeses to handmade jewellery and vintage clothing, the variety is remarkable. Here are the highlights.

Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is, without doubt, the most iconic market on the island.

Located in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this covered market with its colonial architecture has been in operation since the 1940s and is an essential stop for anyone wanting to explore the Canarian larder.

Inside you will find tropical fruits, seasonal vegetables, fresh fish, meats, cheeses from across the islands, spices and flowers. The upper floor is home to the popular Sunday rastro, where stalls selling second-hand goods, crafts and curiosities fill the space every week.

• Market opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00–14:00.
• Sunday rastro: Sundays, 9:00–14:00.
• What to buy: papas bonitas, gofio, queso majorero, Canarian mojo, Canary Island bananas.

Los Cristianos Market

One of the largest and busiest markets in the south of Tenerife, the Los Cristianos market takes place on Tuesdays and Sundays along the Paseo Marítimo. Its seafront setting makes it a perfect excuse to combine a spot of shopping with a coastal stroll. You’ll find clothing, footwear, jewellery, natural products and souvenirs, all within a lively and varied atmosphere.

• Days: Tuesdays and Sundays.
• Opening hours: 9:00–15:00.
• What to buy: handmade crafts, aloe vera products, jewellery and textiles.

Farmers’ markets in Tenerife

The farmers’ markets are an institution in Tenerife. Promoted by the Cabildo Insular, they are spaces where small local producers sell their harvest directly: fruit, vegetables, honey, cheeses, wines and home-made pastries. There is no better way to take the authentic flavours of the island home with you.

Some of the most popular are in La Laguna (Plaza del Cristo, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 6:00–14:00), Tacoronte (Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00–14:00) and Puerto de la Cruz (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:00–14:00).

Rastros and vintage markets

If you’re drawn to antiques and objects with a story, Tenerife has some interesting options here too.

The rastro at the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Sundays) is the best-known. Still, you can also find second-hand stalls at the Las Galletas Market (Fridays at the Puerto Deportivo, 9:00–15:00) and the El Médano Market (Saturdays at the main square, 9:00–14:00). The latter has a more alternative and creative character, making it ideal for finding unique pieces and local crafts.

Markets in the north and south of Tenerife

The north of Tenerife is greener, more traditional and less touristy, and its markets reflect this. They are genuine, frequented mainly by locals, with agricultural produce taking centre stage.

The highlights in the north are:

• Puerto de la Cruz: a classic market with stalls selling clothing, antiques, Canarian gourmet products and crafts. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:00–14:00, near the historic town centre.
• La Laguna (Farmers’ Market, Plaza del Cristo): fruit, cheeses, flowers, bread and home-made pastries. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 6:00–14:00.
• Tacoronte: locally grown produce, local wines, avocados and home-produced honey. Saturdays and Sundays, 8:00–14:00.
• Los Silos (Plaza de la Luz): small and charming, set right in the historic village centre. Sundays, 8:00–14:00.

Markets in southern Tenerife

The south attracts the greatest number of visitors and, with them, some of the island’s largest and most varied markets. These tend to be more eclectic, blending crafts, textiles, local produce and general goods.

• Los Cristianos: Tuesdays and Sundays along the Paseo Marítimo, 9:00–15:00.
• Adeje (Fátima area): Wednesday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00–14:00. Fresh fruit, vegetables and home décor.
• El Médano: Saturdays at the main square, 9:00–14:00. Crafts, organic products and handmade clothing.
• Las Galletas (Puerto Deportivo): Fridays, 9:00–15:00. Antiques, flowers and local delicacies.
• Guaza: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00–14:00. A large and varied market, very popular with residents.

Which market to visit, day by day

Not sure when to go or which market is on today in Tenerife? This guide will help you plan:

• Monday: Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Santa Cruz).
• Tuesday: Los Cristianos or the La Laguna Farmers’ Market.
• Wednesday: Puerto de la Cruz and Adeje (evening).
• Thursday: La Laguna Farmers’ Market.
• Friday: Las Galletas and Guaza.
• Saturday: Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Tacoronte, El Médano, Adeje and Guaza.
• Sunday: Rastro at the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, Los Cristianos, Tacoronte, Los Silos, Guaza and Adeje.

Saturdays and Sundays offer the greatest concentration of markets, particularly if you want to combine north and south in a single weekend.

What to buy at the markets in Tenerife

The markets in Tenerife are an endless source of genuine, local products. Beyond the usual souvenirs, there are certain items well worth seeking out:

• Canarian crafts: pre-Columbian-style ceramics, traditional embroidery, hand-woven palm baskets and carved dragon tree wood figures.
• Fresh produce: Canary Island bananas, papas bonitas, avocados, seasonal tomatoes, local cheeses (particularly the smoked cheese from La Palma) and varietal honeys. If you’d like to explore the island’s wine culture further, don’t miss our guide to the best wineries in Tenerife.
• Prepared foods: bottled red and green mojo, gofio in various varieties, artisan jams, red wines from northern Tenerife and Canarian honey rum.
• Aloe vera: the island is one of the world’s leading producers. At the markets you’ll find pure gel, natural cosmetics and toiletries made with Canarian aloe vera, often sold directly by small local producers.
• Fashion and accessories: the markets in the south have stalls with summer clothing, jewellery and accessories at prices more affordable than in the tourist-area shops.

Tips for visiting the markets in Tenerife

To make the most of your visit, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Bring cash. Most stalls do not accept card payments, particularly at the farmers’ markets and rastros. A small amount in low-denomination notes will make shopping far easier.
• Go early. The most popular markets fill up by mid-morning. If you arrive between 9:00 and 10:00 you’ll find it quieter, the produce fresher and the stallholders more willing to have a chat.
• Check opening times before you go. Some markets change their days or close on public holidays or due to adverse weather. It’s worth confirming in advance before making the trip.
• Getting there and parking. Markets in the north are often in historic town centres with limited parking. Consider using public transport or parking on the outskirts and walking in. In the south, markets such as Guaza and Adeje have free parking nearby.
• Combine the market with a meal. At the larger markets you’ll find street food stalls and nearby bars where you can try Canarian tapas, papas arrugadas or a sandwich filled with slow-cooked meat. It’s all part of the experience.

Where to stay to explore the markets in Tenerife

If you want to explore the markets of Tenerife at a leisurely pace, choosing the right accommodation makes all the difference. The Princess hotels in Tenerife are located in Costa Adeje, in the south of the island, putting you just minutes from some of the area’s most lively markets.

Guayarmina Princess, an adults-only hotel (+16) on the front line of Playa Fañabé, is a perfect base for couples looking to combine relaxation by the Atlantic with a morning at the Los Cristianos or Adeje markets. Several of the south’s busiest markets are just a short distance away, and from here it is also easy to organise a day trip north to visit the Puerto de la Cruz market or the Sunday rastro at the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz.

Princess Inspire Tenerife, also in Costa Adeje and exclusive to guests aged 16 and over, combines a calm, elegant atmosphere with a location that makes it straightforward to travel across the whole island. Ideal for those looking for an all-inclusive hotel in which to unwind after a day exploring the markets and villages of Tenerife.

Discover all Princess hotels in Tenerife and find the one that suits your trip best.

Categories: Canaries, Travel Tips, Tenerife