A modern gourmet food market beneath the spectacular Metropol Parasol (Las Setas) — Seville's contemporary landmark. Food stalls, restaurants, and an archaeological museum (with Roman ruins below). Worth visiting for the structure as much as the market.
The Mercado de la Encarnación sits beneath the Metropol Parasol — the vast undulating wooden canopy designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer H. and completed in 2011 — in Plaza de la Encarnación at the edge of Seville's historic centre. Known universally as Las Setas (The Mushrooms) for the organic rounded forms of the parasol structure, the complex is one of the largest wooden structures in the world and serves as both architectural landmark and functioning market space.
The ground-floor market operates across a series of open stalls selling fresh produce, regional cheeses, cured meats, wine, olive oil, and prepared foods. Compared to the Mercado de Triana, the Encarnación leans noticeably toward gourmet and specialty products rather than bulk provisioning. Several stalls focus on premium Andalusian pantry goods — cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil from Jaén, locally cured Iberian pork, artisan honeys from Sierra Norte, and craft conserves — making it a useful stop for visitors wanting to carry home quality regional produce. Prices reflect the premium positioning and the central location; goods here cost more than at the neighbourhood markets in Triana or Macarena.
The restaurant and bar level above the market operates a ring of establishments serving tapas, raciones, and seafood throughout the afternoon and into midnight. The culinary range is wide, from traditional Sevillano fare to contemporary Andalusian cuisine. Tables fill quickly on weekend evenings, particularly during the warmer months when the outdoor terraces benefit from the shade cast by the parasol above.
Beneath the market, the Antiquarium Seville houses an archaeological museum displaying Roman and Phoenician ruins unearthed during construction; the site was a significant discovery that delayed the building project by several years. Entry is separate from the market with a modest admission fee. At the top of the structure, a rooftop walkway offers panoramic views across the Seville skyline. The combination of shopping, dining, archaeology, and architecture makes the Encarnación one of the most versatile stops in Andalusia.
Payment by card is widely accepted at the restaurant level; produce stalls have a mixed cash-and-card approach. Bargaining is not standard. The restaurant concessions are VAT-registered for EU tax-refund purposes on qualifying purchases.
Good to know
- Best for
- Gourmet food, local products, architecture
Location
Plaza de la Encarnación, s/n
37.3937, -5.9926 View on map
Highlights
- Gourmet food market at the base of the Metropol Parasol — Seville's most ambitious 21st-century architectural landmark
- Antiquarium beneath the market displays Roman and Phoenician ruins discovered during construction in the 2000s
- Premium Andalusian produce: Jaén extra-virgin olive oil, Sierra Norte honey, and artisan Iberian charcuterie
- Rooftop walkway on the Metropol Parasol with panoramic views across Seville's historic skyline
- Restaurant level open until midnight offering tapas, raciones, and contemporary Andalusian cuisine
Tips for visiting
- Visit the produce stalls in the morning (9 AM–2 PM) and the restaurant level in the evening — the two halves of the complex operate on different rhythms
- Buy a combined ticket for the Antiquarium and the rooftop walkway to get full value from the complex
- Weekday mornings are significantly quieter than weekend afternoons at both the market and the rooftop
- Treat this as a delicatessen rather than a daily market — premium goods here cost more than equivalent items at Triana or neighbourhood markets
- The parasol structure is spectacular after dark when lit from below — worth revisiting in the evening even without shopping
Frequently asked questions
What is the relationship between Las Setas and the Mercado de la Encarnación?
Las Setas is the popular nickname for the Metropol Parasol, the large wooden canopy structure. The Mercado de la Encarnación is the food market at street level beneath that structure. The two names refer to different components of the same complex.
Is the Antiquarium inside the complex free to enter?
The Antiquarium is a separate paid attraction in the basement of the Metropol Parasol complex. It houses Roman and Phoenician ruins discovered during construction in the 2000s. A combined ticket covering the Antiquarium and the rooftop walkway is available at the complex entrance.
What type of food products are sold at the market stalls?
The stalls specialise in premium Andalusian pantry goods including extra-virgin olive oil, cured Iberian meats, regional cheeses, artisan honeys, and local conserves. The emphasis is on quality and provenance rather than everyday grocery shopping.
Is the market open on Sundays?
The produce market stalls operate Monday to Saturday, closing in the early afternoon around 2 PM. The restaurant and bar level above operates seven days a week, typically from lunchtime into late evening.