Mercado de Plata, Taxco

Taxco's Mercado de Plata spreads across the steep cobblestone streets radiating from Plaza Borda, where hundreds of silver workshops and stalls sell everything from small souvenir jewelry to museum-quality pieces, a trade that has defined the town's economy since William Spratling's 1930s silver revival. Shops range from tiny family-run stalls displaying trays of rings and earrings to larger workshops where visitors can watch silversmiths at work behind the counter. Pricing is generally based on weight (silver is typically sold by the gram) and craftsmanship, with .925 sterling silver the standard for reputable shops; visitors are advised to ask for a hallmark stamp confirming purity on more expensive pieces. Because the market is really the town's entire historic core rather than a single building, exploring it involves walking Taxco's narrow, hilly streets, which offer views over the town's red-tiled rooftops between shopfronts. A couple of hours is enough for casual browsing, though visitors seeking a specific custom piece or comparing several workshops may spend longer. Late morning through early afternoon is the best window, when most workshops and stalls are open and staffed, while some smaller stalls close for a midday break. Bargaining is customary at smaller independent stalls but less common at established workshops with fixed pricing.