Santa Cruz's main covered market (Mercado Africano) selling fresh fish, produce, spices, and local Canarian products. A colourful, authentic market popular with locals.
The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, known colloquially as the Mercado Africano, is the principal covered market of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and one of the most architecturally striking public markets in the Canary Islands. Located in the city centre near the Rambla de Santa Cruz, the market was inaugurated in 1943 and occupies a grand two-storey building with a Moorish-influenced courtyard, colonnaded arcades, and ornate decorative tilework. It operates Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 14:00, making it one of the earliest-opening markets in the archipelago.
The ground floor is devoted primarily to fresh food. A large fish hall occupies one wing, where local fishing vessels supply fresh vieja (parrotfish), cherne (Atlantic wreckfish), sama (red snapper), and a rotating selection of deep-water Atlantic species landed at the Santa Cruz wharf. Adjacent stalls sell island-grown vegetables, tropical fruits, fresh herbs, and cuts of Canarian pork and goat. A spice section near the market entrance offers dried chillis, saffron, and blended spice mixes that give the market its African-influenced character — a reflection of Tenerife's historic maritime trade connections with the African continent.
The upper floor hosts artisan food vendors selling local cheeses (notably the semi-cured queso palmero from La Palma island), mojo sauces, gofio, palm honey (miel de palma), and local wines. A cluster of small bar-counters along the upper gallery serves tapas, fresh fish plates, and coffee to market-goers from early morning through to midday. Prices are fixed and cash is preferred, though some vendors accept card. The market is overwhelmingly local in character, with minimal tourist-oriented merchandise; prices reflect local consumer norms rather than resort-area premiums.
Location
28.4622, -16.2530 View on map
Highlights
- Grand 1943 Moorish-revival building with colonnaded courtyard and decorative tilework — one of the most photogenic covered markets in the Canary Islands.
- Fresh fish hall supplied daily from Santa Cruz de Tenerife's harbour, including vieja, cherne, and deep-water Atlantic species.
- Spice section with African-influenced dried chillis, blended mixes, and saffron reflecting Tenerife's historic trade connections with the African coast.
- Upper-floor artisan stalls selling queso palmero, mojo sauces, gofio, and palm honey from small-scale Canarian producers.
- In-market tapas bars open from early morning, serving fresh fish plates and coffee to local shoppers at competitive prices.
Tips for visiting
- The fish hall is freshest between 06:30 and 09:00; arrive early for the widest selection of freshly landed Atlantic species.
- Bring cash — the majority of stalls, particularly fish vendors and small produce stands, operate cash-only.
- The spice section near the main entrance offers blended mixes and whole dried chillis that are lighter and more unusual gift options than heavy cheeses or bottled wines.
- Prices are significantly lower than resort-area supermarkets, especially for fresh fish and tropical fruits — the market rewards shopping for provisions.
- Combine a morning market visit with the nearby Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre and the Rambla de Santa Cruz gardens, both within easy walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África open on Sundays?
No. The market operates Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 14:00 and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Saturday mornings tend to be busier and livelier than weekday visits.
Why is it called the Mercado Africano?
The popular name reflects Tenerife's historic maritime trade connections with the African continent, particularly in spices, which are prominently sold at the market entrance. The official dedication to Nuestra Señora de África is a Marian devotion with roots in the island's African trade history.
Can visitors eat at the market?
Yes. Several small bar-counters on the upper gallery level serve tapas, fresh fish plates, coffee, and juices from early morning through to midday. These spots are popular with local workers and market vendors and offer some of the best-value fresh fish lunches in central Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Is the market suitable for vegetarians?
The market carries an excellent range of fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, artisan cheeses, and local honey, making it well suited to vegetarian shoppers. The fish hall and butcher stalls are prominent, but vegetarian produce is well represented across the ground floor and upper artisan stalls.