Mercado de la Ribera

The Mercado de la Ribera stands on Erribera Kalea on the riverside edge of Casco Viejo in Bilbao, in Spain's Basque Country. Opened in 1929, the Art Deco building is widely described as one of the largest covered food markets in Europe, with long halls under glass and a curved, ship-like front that faces the Nervion. Inside, stallholders sell fresh fish and shellfish, meat, cured sausages, cheese, vegetables, fruit and bread, and the fish hall in particular shows what the Bay of Biscay and the Cantabrian coast supply to local kitchens. Visitors who come to watch rather than shop will find that the market is still used by residents, restaurants and bars from the old quarter, which gives it a working rather than a museum atmosphere. The upstairs gastronomic area has bars and small counters that serve pintxos, wine and local specialities, and it makes a convenient stop for a light meal. A visit generally takes one to two hours, depending on how long is spent tasting and browsing. Photo angles include the interior from the upper gallery, the stained-glass windows and the exterior from the riverside path, from which the building's Art Deco lines can be seen against the water. Crowds are heaviest on Friday and Saturday mornings, when the stalls are best stocked and local shoppers fill the aisles; that same timing offers the best selection, so visitors who prefer a calm walk-through may go on a weekday morning. The market is typically open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays, with some stalls closing early in the afternoon, so mornings are the safest time. Entry is free, and food and drink are paid for at each stall. The market is five minutes' walk from the Casco Viejo metro station, the Siete Calles and the San Anton bridge, so it fits naturally into a morning of old-town exploring.