Best Markets in Mexico City

Visit some of the best Markets in Mexico City

Markets (mercados) in Mexico City are fascinating, and visiting them is the best way to immerse yourself in some of the Mexican traditions, cuisine, daily life, and culture. Mexico City alone has more than 120 permanent markets and over 1000 tianguis (flea markets), temporary mobile markets that move around different zones.

Latin American countries generally have incredible markets, but Mexico City’s are special. Here you’ll find exotic meats, artisanal goods, fresh produce, jewelry, and more.

Wherever you go in the world, make sure to stop by a local market at least once, so don’t forget to include one of these markets in your list of things to do in Mexico City

What are the most popular and best markets in Mexico City?

Mercado de San Juan, La Merced Market, Sonora, Cental de Abastos, La Viga, and Mercado de Coyoacan are the most popular markets in Mexico City. 

What is a Mexican tianguis?

A Mexican tianguis is an outdoor street market that’s similar to a farmer’s or flea market. There are over a thousand registered tianguis markets in Mexico City alone. 

What is the etiquette for bargaining over price in Mexico?

Bargaining over the price at markets is a common practice in Mexico and it’s something that you should try out. You should never be rude or pushy in your negotiations; remember, for vendors, this is a business, and they have to make some money. However, don’t feel bad; it’s normal and recommended to bargain with vendors a bit if you want to get the best price for your goods. With that being said, don’t do this over every little thing. Oftentimes, you’ll only be saving yourself a couple of dollars. 

Find the best Airbnb or Vacation Rentals in Mexico City so you can bring and enjoy produce from any of the best markets in Mexico City

Mercado de la Merced

Mercado de la Merced is the oldest one. This market started in 1594 when vendors gathered around el Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Monastery of our lady of Mercy) to sell their merchandise. Since then, this market has become a colorful labyrinth with the widest variety of products. This market survived three massive fires, 1988, 1998, and 2013, when 70% of the covered market was lost. However, it has always made its comeback, and today it’s still a must-see place.

Visiting this market is better during the day and with a guided tour. As in any other crowded place in the world, pickpockets can be an issue, so don’t bring backpacks or large purses, and spread your cash into different places in your clothes.

Mercado de Sonora – best markets for unusual things

Mercado de Sonora, also known by some as the witchcraft market, is an unusual thing to see. Located southeast of the city, this market is part indoor, part outdoor. On the outside, it looks like any other market where you can buy toys, seasonal decorations, pottery, piñatas, and costumes. However, once you enter the market’s internal corridors, there´s a change in the atmosphere where you will encounter voodoo, Santeria, and other mystical potions, items, and herbal remedies. People visit this Mercado to find remedies to cure any kind of disease or spells, to get rich, find love, or get the promotion you´ve been waiting for; additionally, you can hire one of the healers or witches, and they will do their magic. In addition, there´s a separate section where they sell live animals, including chickens for spiritual cleansing and exotic animals; however, this is not legal; imagine this is like the dark web of the market.

Central de Abastos

Central de Abastos (supply center) is one of the biggest markets in the world: 2,000 businesses spread across 810 acres. It serves as the primary distribution market for retailers, smaller markets, and vendors throughout the city. This immense market is like a city. It´s formed by streets and avenues, and you may want to drive from zone to zone because distances are very long. Around 300,000 people visit it daily, and about 52,000 trucks leave their platforms every day.

Mercado de la Viga – the best market for seafood

Nuevo Mercado de la Viga is the second biggest seafood market in the world. Restaurant chefs come here to buy fresh products. Here you will find more than 300 sea products for every taste, from bass to octopus to chocolata clams. Inside the market, there are 17 restaurants full of fresh seafood and the best price-quality in the city.

Mercado San Juan – the best market for gourmet products

Mercado de San Juan is a smaller market and one of the most prestigious in the city. This market is a gourmet kind where chefs and foodies go to buy high-end products and eat European meats and cheeses at the food stalls. Here you will find exotic ingredients like bugs, barnacles, scorpions, and meat like alligator, iguana, armadillo, and wild boar. Some say that you can get lions and tigers if you ask discreetly, although we don’t recommend that, as eating these animals is illegal.

Mercado Lagunilla – the best market for antiques

Mercado de la Lagunilla specializes in antiques, mid-century furniture, vintage clothes, records, jewelry, and rare books. If you’re looking for something specific, the vendors might be able to source it.

Mercado de la Ciudadela – the best market for souvenirs

Mercado de la Ciudadela is the most significant Mexican craftwork market. You will find pottery, stone sculptures, glassware, hammocks, embossed mirrors, textiles from Oaxaca, embroidery, art, ceramic from Chiapas, Taxco silver, jewelry, and many more. This is the place to go if you are looking for authentic and high-quality souvenirs at a reasonable price.

Mercado Coyoacan

Mercado de Coyoacan is a colorful market and one of the most visited by tourists, so don’t expect the same prices that you will find in other markets. The market is located in a lovely neighborhood called Coyoacan, where Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera used to live, so they were frequent customers at this market. The food here is amazing, from classic quesadillas to sopes, tostadas, barbacoa, carnitas (fried pork meat), mixiotes, seafood, juices, and smoothies. In addition, you can buy fruit, flowers, vegetables, pottery, toys, textiles, witchcraft, plants, seeds, candy, dairy, etc.