One of the most sought-after experiences we are often asked to include in our Mexico City programs is a visit to one of the local markets. Mexico is a country of markets of all kinds and a visit to one is very often a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will be amazed by the colour, vibrancy and vast array of all kinds of produce to buy when you visit one. Here we present a few of the more well-known markets in Mexico City and encourage you to think of including a visit to one in your next program to Mexico City.

Antiques to flowers, food stalls, witchcraft supplies; Mexico City’s public markets run the gamut for souvenirs and an education on Mexican culture.

Mexico City’s markets offer citizens both the work necessary to sustain their livelihoods and the goods they use as they do so. They also offer travelers the opportunity to gain deeper insight into this country’s values and traditions by way of its foodways, handicrafts, and cultural artifacts. Travel along with us to some of our favorite destinations in Mexico City for commerce, culture, and taste.

Tuesday Tianguis in Condesa
Every Tuesday, three small blocks of side streets in west Condesa are blocked off to traffic for a fun little farmers' market (called Tianguis de Condesa, Martes, in Spanish). Because of its location, things tend to be more expensive, but there's a wide array of stalls to choose from for meat, fruit, and vegetables. Look for the older indigenous women on the outskirts of the market; they often grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables, while the other vendors pull from commercial distribution. Among these stalls you'll find beautiful wild mushrooms, farm fresh eggs, avocados, and wild greens.

Mercado Roma
Neighborhood residents protested Mercado Roma before it was built, saying that gentrification would ruin the area. The three-story market is indeed more upscale than its surroundings, but it's the perfect place for sipping Spanish wines, eating tapas, shopping for expensive cheeses, and nibbling snacks. You'll find satellite puestos from restaurants around town, a coffee counter, vegan tacos, and cured meats. There's also a rooftop beer garden, complete with a foosball table, and a ground-floor patio filled with herb boxes. The market also has a second location in Coyoacán.

La Lagunilla
The Sunday market has roots in the pre-Hispanic period, when people would convene to sell and trade at a local tianguis. So it's maybe no surprise that the specialty here is antiques: mid-century modern furniture, vintage clothes, records, and jewelry. Though bargaining is expected, vendors know the worth of what they hold, so that original Saarinen end table won't come cheap. Order a michelada (Mexican beer mixed with fresh lime juice and a trinity of Tabasco, Worcestershire, and soy sauces) to get the liquid courage you need to argue the best price.


Mercado Coyoacan
Established in 1921 (although the location has moved since), the Coyoacan Market, one of Mexico City's most iconic shopping destinations, has been selling everything under the sun from veggies to baskets for the better part of the 20th century. Whether you want to gawk at the rows of colorful products or snag some affordable textiles, this market is good for anyone who wants a truly local experience. Be warned that the shopping alleys are narrow, so stay away if you're not a fan of tight, crowded spaces.



La Ciudadela
La Mercado de Artesanías, or "La Ciudadela," is the place to buy traditional Mexican handicrafts and regional specialties like textiles from Oaxaca, ceramics from Chiapas, Guerreren silver, lucha libre shirts made by local artisans, and art from all over the country. You'll find wool blankets, loom-woven blouses, stone-plated jewelry, and hand-carved gourds—along with plenty of tourists from Mexico and abroad.



Mercado Sonora Witchy handicrafts, crystals, idols, incense, tarot, even—eek—animals for sacrifice, Mercado Sonora is a trip. There’s a solution, soap, tonic, or powder for just about anything that ails you at Sonora. Those interested in mysticism and indigenous Mexican religions, from Santa Muerte to Voodoo, will be particularly delighted by the wares. Charms and crystals are some of the more premium products. Buy what you want but read up on its significance before you set it on your bedside table.

Source:CN Traveler