We found Benavente quite quiet until it was Thursday which is market day in Benavente. The town suddenly comes alive on Thursdays, with people everywhere! I love visiting the markets in Spain and I am looking forward to the covered markets in Pontevedra and Santiago. I remember the wonderful markets in Leon and Oviedo!
The Market
The food market is in the Plaza Mayor, while the clothes market in the Canada de la Vizana. We started in the Plaza Mayor. It is in the centre of the town and the two main commercial street in the old town lead to the square.
It was the time of year when peppers are celebrated. They were absolutely enormous! And cheap! You could buy 5 kilos for 5€!! What to do with so much? Salmorejo, mousses, grilled for a salad, gazpacho, romesco sauce…..
The vegetables were huge and fresh, prices good and the bread is delicious. There were no fish or meat stalls in the market – there are plenty of butchers in the old town, and the supermarkets and some small shops sell fish.
Clothes on market day in Benavente
The clothes market is in Canada de la Vizana – the street is closed off until the evening. There were some beautiful clothes in the market – rather more upmarket than Lewisham! I noticed the stalls were starting to display warmer clothing…
The clothes market in Benavente on a Thursday
People!
There were people everywhere – chatting, shopping, in the cafes – really fun and busy!
What a super few hours investigating the markets, people watching, stopping for a drink… Market day in Benavente was a real pleasure.
I would love to hear from you!