Rastro Madrid is an open-air street market in the city’s Centro district, centered on Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores.
It runs every Sunday and public holiday, and you can plan your route around nearby Metro stations and the market’s main streets. Hostal Mediterranea is about 12.2 km from El Rastro; browse Hostal Mediterranea rooms when planning your stay.
- Location: Plaza de Cascorro, Ribera de Curtidores and surrounding streets
- Regular market hours: Sundays and public holidays, 09:00–15:00
- Nearby Metro stations include La Latina, Tirso de Molina and Embajadores
- For a less crowded walk, Madrid’s tourism office suggests arriving before 11:00
Where does El Rastro take place?
El Rastro spreads through the streets and squares around Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores. Madrid’s tourism office identifies Ribera de Curtidores as the main thoroughfare, while the market area also includes streets such as San Cayetano, Fray Ceferino González, Carlos Arniches and Mira el Río.
Plaza del Campillo del Mundo Nuevo and Plaza General Vara de Rey are also part of the market area. In the surrounding streets, you’ll find specialist shops, antique businesses, galleries, bookstores and bars. The City of Madrid identifies 1,200 stalls at the market.
El Rastro has been held for more than 250 years. Its name is commonly linked to the blood trail left by livestock being moved from the former slaughterhouse to nearby tanneries.
When is El Rastro open, and when is it busiest?
El Rastro’s regular street market takes place every Sunday and public holiday. The City of Madrid lists those hours, and its vendor rules set the same window for sales. Stallholders set up from 08:00 to 09:00 and remove stalls from 15:00 to 16:00.
Opening hours
- Sunday: 9:00–15:00
- Monday to Saturday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
For a quieter walk, Madrid’s tourism office suggests arriving before 11:00; from midday until 15:00, the market is busier. Street stalls do not operate on weekdays, though shops, antique dealers and galleries in the area open on working days.
A separate event is held in Plaza del General Vara de Rey on the first Saturday of each month, except July, August and November. Its schedule can vary, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get to El Rastro by Metro?
La Latina and Tirso de Molina are useful Metro stops for starting at Plaza de Cascorro. Embajadores suits an approach from the uphill end, while Puerta de Toledo lets you pass one of Madrid’s old city gates on the way.
La Latina and Puerta de Toledo are on Metro line 5; Tirso de Molina is on line 1. Embajadores has Metro lines 3 and 5, as well as Cercanías line C5. Bus routes serving the area include 002, 17, 18, 23, 26, 31, 32, 35, 41, 50, 60, 65, 148, C1, C2, C03, M1, M3, NC1, NC2 and N26.
If you’re arranging a broader city itinerary, this one-day route through central Madrid can help you fit the market into a day of sightseeing.
How can you plan a walk through the market streets?
Start at La Latina or Tirso de Molina if you want to begin around Plaza de Cascorro, then follow Ribera de Curtidores through the market area. From Embajadores, approach from the uphill end instead. The surrounding streets and squares give you room to extend the walk beyond the main thoroughfare.
On Sundays and public holidays, road closures run from 08:00 to 15:00, followed by stall removal and cleaning until 18:00. Parking for motorcycles, cars, personal mobility vehicles and bicycles is prohibited within the market area from midnight to 18:00 on those days. If you’re considering driving, check the City of Madrid’s official guidance before setting out.
The municipal listing labels El Rastro as accessible to people with reduced mobility. For a Metro-focused trip from the hotel area, the Madrid Metro guide from Valdecarros offers a starting point for planning your connection.
FAQs
How old is El Rastro?
Madrid’s tourism office says the market has been held for more than 250 years.
What does the name El Rastro mean?
The name is commonly linked to the blood trail left by livestock being moved from the former slaughterhouse to nearby tanneries.
Is El Rastro accessible to people with reduced mobility?
The City of Madrid’s municipal listing identifies the market as an installation accessible to people with reduced mobility.