Colón Market

In times past it was a market, today it is home to flower stalls and the finest restaurants. But it has always been one of the most beautiful buildings in Valencia. Colón Market was designed by the architect Francisco Mora Berenguer in the early 20th century, making it one of the most iconic examples of Valencian art nouveau, which has certain features that recall Gaudí’s buildings in Barcelona.  

The large building occupies 3,500 m², divided into three sections, enclosed at either end by two brick and stone entrances in the style of triumphal arches. The colourful façade is highly decorative, with the ceramic details typical of the region. An artistic wrought iron fence surrounds the premises. All these features have been painstaking restored. Today, the height of its ceiling and numerous entrances make the market a bright, open space. 

Conceived to meet the needs of the bourgeois of the period, it is in fact still located in one of the areas with the highest purchasing power in the city, the Ensanche. Every day it receives numerous visitors, who come to pass the time at its outdoor cafés, which are especially crowded on weekends and when the nice weather arrives. The market hours are from 8.00 a.m. to 1.30 in the morning, but each establishment can set its own opening times. 

Today, Colón Market is home to a number of well-known businesses, including Carnes Varea and Frutería Fina, but its key attractions are its restaurants, with highlights including Habitual by Ricard Camarena, Ma Khin Café and Manglano. Other popular eating and drinking establishments include such popular spots as Las Cervezas del Mercado, the café Bocados, and Daniel, a horchata (tiger nut milk) stand. Florist’s Baladre was the first to set up shop in the courtyard, and it now shares the space with Vinos y Flores. The venue also hosts numerous events, normally linked to the culinary world.