Astonishing and unique markets of Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the most diverse capitals of the world. Numerous markets offering a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, cheeses, wines, bread, both local and foreign products are one of its bright images. In addition to more than 300 food markets, Mexico City has floral, flea markets, markets of antiques, fine arts, furniture and even music! Let’s check the list of the most popular ones.

1. San Juan Market

Located in the city center, it is a favorite market for chefs and those who are serious about the creativity in the kitchen. Here you can buy gourmet products and various exotic things, including the meat of lion, deer, or crocodile. Exquisite herbs, cheeses, exotic and seasonal fruits have always the highest quality.

2. La Lagunilla

A visit to this market is one of the favorite activities of people who are keen on antiques. Searching the interesting things, they come here even from outside of the capital. Even modern designers are looking for inspiration here. On the Sunday morning, you can find here objects of art, furniture of different centuries, carpets, lamps, hats, glasses, magazines, toys, old books and much, much more.

3. La Ciudadela

Here you can get lost by hours, as the market abounds with products of folk art and various souvenirs from all over the country. Toys, decorations, home décor objects, dishes, hammocks - all in a calm, relaxing environment, unlike other markets. La Ciudadela was organized in the run-up to the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, to present the diversity of Mexican folk crafts products in one place.

4. Medellin Market

Located in the center of the district La Roma, the market offers, besides the usual Mexican products, the ones from Colombia, Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil, which are in requisition of the people who moved from there and now live in Mexico City. The market is also famous for its seafood restaurants, they have the line of people from early morning.

5. Sonora Market

Known as the market of witches and shamans. The buyers come here in search of love potions, luck amulet and medicines based on herbs. They say that in the market you can also buy animals and plants that are on the verge of extinction, that’s why you can regularly meet the police officers here controlling the situation. The medical items and ones of magical, occult character are not divided in the market, as traditional Mexican medicine is closely related to religious and magical practices.

6. Jamaica Market

The most famous market of flowers and plants, as well as goods related to this area, which are sold at 1150 market places. The market sells about 5 thousand species of flowers and plants from the states of Puebla, Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Estado de Mexico, and Michoacan.

7. Tianguis Chopo

In the 80s, the people brought here CDs, cassettes and posters to change. On October 4, 1980, the First Musical Tianguis was organized (tianguis in Mexico is a mobile market), which was planned for a month, but it was such successful that it was extended for 2 years, and then the market was fixed. Chopo was the name of one of the streets where the market is located, and it began to use to name the market itself. Now it’s not only dedicated to music, but also is a refuge of local punks, darks and goths.

8. La Merced Market

It is located to the east of the main square of the capital, Zocalo, and occupies several buildings. The metro station with the same name has an exit to one of these buildings. La Merced Market is considered as the most diverse in the city: its main building is entirely devoted to fruits and vegetables, in others, besides the foodstuff, household appliances, kitchen utensils, and household chemicals are also sold.

9. Coyoacan Market

One of the most touristic areas of the capital has its own market, which has been famous for more than 50 years with the traditional Mexican menu: tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and other types of street cuisine.

10. Central de Abasto

A significant part of the economy of the whole country depends on this giant, the place of work of manufacturers and wholesalers from all over the Republic. Every year, the market working capital is more than 9 billion dollars, daily from 18 to 25 thousand tons of foodstuff are sold here (65% of operations are performed with fruits and vegetables). Meanwhile, you can also buy by retail in the market.