Mercado Medieval de Segovia
Every November, Segovia's old city hosts one of Spain's most atmospheric medieval markets, filling the streets around the cathedral and Plaza Mayor with craftspeople, jousting displays, fire-jugglers and the smell of roasting meats. It's not a theme-park imitation — many of the artisans sell genuinely handmade leather goods, ceramics and ironwork you won't find in any chain shop.
What to buy and what to eat
The market specialises in traditional Castilian crafts: hand-tooled leather belts and bags, blown-glass pieces from local workshops, hand-forged knives, and intricate lacework. Prices are fair and the makers are usually right there to talk you through their process — a rare pleasure in an age of mass production.
Food stalls cluster around the cathedral square selling cordero asado (roast lamb) carved straight from the spit, churros with thick hot chocolate, and almendras garrapiñadas (caramelised almonds) whose scent drifts through the entire old town.
The rest of the year: Mercado de Abastos
For everyday market life, head to the Mercado de Abastos on Plaza del Campillo — Segovia's covered food market, open Tuesday to Saturday mornings. Stalls sell local cheeses (particularly the nutty curado from the surrounding villages), fresh game, seasonal mushrooms from the Sierra, and the dark, almost purple chorizo that is a Segovian speciality.
It's a small, unhurried market where stallholders still wrap purchases in paper and will happily let you taste before you buy. Arrive before 10 am for the best selection and a genuine slice of local daily life.
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