Today, El Rastro is one of the largest European street markets with thousands of stands set up along the winding, narrow streets and plazas in the area.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, El Rastro was a meat market. In fact, the name El Rastro meaning “the trail”, comes from the bloodstain trails of the animals sold in these markets.
Today however, it may be worrisome if you’re in the market and you find bloodstain trails.
Quick Rastro Facts
When: Sundays & Public Holidays 9:00am- 3:00pm (the earlier the better to avoid big crowds)
Where: Plaza de Cascorro is the market center. The edges of the market are outlined by Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo.
How to Arrive: Metro- LaLatina (Line 5- Green)
Puerta de Toledo (Line 5- Green)
Tirso de Molina (Line 1- Blue) plus a 5 minute walk.
Taxi- Tell the taxi driver to drop you off at Ronda de Toledo
Walking– Just a 15 minute walk from Puerta del Sol
Bargaining is acceptable, although several stalls may have fixed prices.
You can find anything from…
beautiful, hand-made jewelry
ugly, cheap jewelry
antiques of all sorts
samurai swords
old coins & stamps
books, old Spanish newspapers, magazines, comic books
artwork, crafts, posters
CDs, DVDs, video games
scarves, scarves, scarves… and more scarves
leather bags, purses
clothes, shoes, sandals
sunglasses, hats
cosmetics
kitchenware
lightbulbs, batteries, ink cartridges, pocket knives
work tools
old furniture
Personally, I love these vintage clocks.
I noticed this red gramophone the last time I went to the market.
…and I’m almost tempted to buy it for 2 main reasons.
1) To watch people’s reactions as I carry this bad boy through the streets. (Keep in mind that I’m barely 5ft, and extremely awkward, so it would be hilarious).
2) To put it in our teeny 40m-squared apartment, then leave. So, when my boyfriend comes home from work, he find this..
Some Rastro WARNINGS: Don’t be surprised if…
- Used bottles of hand soap, in clear containers that unmistakably have 15 pumps remaining (At least they’re… honest?)
- 20 year-old, broken mobile phones that weigh as much as a small child
- Used, rusty silverware
- Noticeably used hairbrushes with the vendor’s hairs still stuck in the bristles
- Gas masks
- Little sarcophaguses… sarcophagai?
Guess the price…
Great Tapas in the Area
El Capricho Extremeño
Address: Calle de Carlos Arniches 30, Metro Puerta de Toledo, 28005 Madrid
Area: Lavapiés, Embajadores
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am-3:30pm
Prices: Tostas 2€-3€. Drinks 1.5€.
An incredible variety of toasts with toppings: ham, chorizo, salmon, gulas, shrimp, octopus, tuna, lacón, spanish tortilla, etc.
My personal favorites are pulpo a la gallega (octopus) and jamón serrano (serrano ham).
{Zoom-in on the Jealous faces.} Ha, this cracks me up.
General Rastro Tips:
Especially for those of you with little street smarts (like yours truly). I’m giving you some tips! (The blind leading the blind, I suppose).
- Arrive around 9-10am if you prefer avoiding the crowds
- Watch for pickpockets, even on your way to the market. Pickpockets know that thousands of people are arriving by metro, so they plan accordingly (sneaky son of a gun, as my grandma would say). Wait, if it’s plural is it “sons of a gun” or maybe “sons of guns”? hmmm, deep.
- Bring a purse that zips completely
- Wear your backpack on the front. (Yes, it’s super dorky, but it’s not like you’re ever going to see these people again)
- Carry small bills/ change
Wander around aimlessly. Have fun. Take it all in. And let me know if you run into these guys…
Lost in Madrid 