On the first Sunday of every month, Plaza de la Merced fills with around 50 artisan stalls selling handmade jewellery, ceramics, leather goods, and original art. The Mercado Artesanal La Merced runs from 11 am to 7 pm, and entry is free.
It’s a different kind of market to Atarazanas or the other food halls. There’s no fresh fish here, no fruit stalls. This is about handmade goods from local makers, street musicians between the stalls, and a Sunday atmosphere that feels more like a neighbourhood festival than a shopping trip.
The square itself helps. Plaza de la Merced is one of the most recognisable spots in Malaga’s old town, and where Picasso was born and grew up. His birthplace is on the northeast corner, now the Fundación Picasso Museo Casa Natal.
When Is the Mercado Artesanal La Merced?
The first Sunday of every month, 11 am to 7 pm.
The market runs year-round, though summer months draw bigger crowds and sometimes a few extra stalls. In winter, the market still operates but vendors occasionally pack up earlier if the weather turns.
Arriving before midday gives you the best selection and the quietest browsing. By early afternoon the square gets busy, especially in spring and summer when tourists mix with locals out for their Sunday paseo.
What Can You Buy?
The market is organised by CATs Markets in collaboration with Malaga City Council, and most vendors are local artisans who make their own products.
Jewellery is the strongest category. You’ll find silver, beaded, and leather pieces from independent designers, many of whom only sell at this market and online. Prices range from a few euros for simple bracelets to €40-50 for more detailed work.
Ceramics are another highlight. Hand-painted tiles, small bowls, mugs, and decorative pieces, most made in workshops around Malaga province. Some vendors do live demonstrations.
Leather goods include wallets, belts, bags, and journal covers, often stamped or hand-stitched. The quality is a clear step above what you’d find at the Friday street markets along the coast.
You’ll also find original art prints, illustrations, handmade soaps, candles, textiles, and vintage books. The selection changes month to month as different vendors rotate in and out.
Most stalls accept cash only. There’s no ATM on the square itself, but several banks with cash machines are within a 2-minute walk on Calle Carretería and Calle Victoria.
Where Is the Market?
Plaza de la Merced is in the heart of Malaga’s old town, about 5 minutes on foot from the Picasso Museum and the Roman Theatre.
The stalls are arranged around the central obelisk monument to General Torrijos. The plaza is pedestrianised, flat, and easy to navigate.
If you’re coming from outside the centre, the nearest parking is underground at Plaza de la Marina, about a 10-minute walk south. For more options, check the Malaga parking guide.
By bus, lines 1, 3, 11, and 36 all stop within a few minutes’ walk. The Malaga public transport system makes getting here straightforward from most parts of the city.
What Else to Do on Market Day
The first Sunday of the month is also free entry day at several museums in Malaga, including the Picasso Museum, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, and the Centre Pompidou. Combining the market with a free museum visit makes for a full morning.
After browsing, grab a coffee at one of the terrace bars on the plaza. Café Central and El Jardín are both on the square and do decent breakfasts.
If you want to keep exploring, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle are a 15-minute walk south. The best viewpoints in Malaga are worth the climb, especially on a clear Sunday morning before the crowds arrive.
The Other Monthly Market on Plaza de la Merced
Don’t confuse this with the Mercado de la Merced indoor food market, which is a separate building on the same square, open Monday to Saturday for fresh produce and tapas.
Plaza de la Merced also hosts occasional evening markets, craft fairs, and seasonal events, particularly around Christmas and during the Feria de Malaga. Check the Ayuntamiento de Málaga website before visiting if you want to confirm dates.
