Mercado de Gernika (Monday Market)
Every Monday morning since the 14th century, farmers and producers from the surrounding Urdaibai valley have converged on Gernika to sell their goods in one of the most authentic rural markets in the entire Basque Country. The stalls spill out from the covered market hall onto the surrounding streets, and the produce is startlingly good.
What to buy and eat
The Gernika pepper — a slender, mild green pepper that is the pride of local cooking — is sold here by the kilo at prices that will make you wish you had a bigger suitcase. Vendors also pile up Idiazabal cheese wheels, wild mushrooms in autumn, and the fat white Gernika beans (babarrunak) that define Basque winter stews.
Street food stalls around the market perimeter sell fresh-fried bacalao (salt cod) fritters and txistorra (spiced Basque sausage) in crusty rolls. Grab one and eat it standing at the market edge like a local.
The flower and plant section near Calle Barrenkale is a riot of colour from spring through early autumn — even if you are not buying, it makes for spectacular photographs.
Practicalities and atmosphere
The market runs from roughly 08:00 to 14:00 every Monday, rain or shine. The covered hall on Plaza Barria operates daily for meat, fish and dairy, but Monday is when the outdoor agricultural market transforms the whole town centre.
Arrive before 10:00 to see the market at its most vibrant and to beat the coach parties that arrive mid-morning from Bilbao and San Sebastián.
More of Gernika-Lumo
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Gernika-Lumo →
