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The best markets and food halls in the Basque Country: days and opening times

Food halls in Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, La Bretxa, La Ribera, Santo Domingo, Ordizia, Tolosa and village markets: a day-by-day guide.

By Eztebe4 min

To get a real feel for the Basque Country, nothing beats a market: sheep’s cheeses, peppers, fish from the coast, gâteaux basques and producers who take the time to chat. Here are the must-sees, on both sides of the border. Days and opening times can vary with the season: check before you go.

North of the border: covered markets on the coast

Bayonne

  • Les Halles (the covered market), on the banks of the Nive, especially on Saturday mornings, when around sixty producers set up around it on both banks of the river: fruit, vegetables, cheese, cured meats.
  • Sainte-Croix market (place des Gascons) — Wednesdays, 8:00–13:00: the biggest in town, with around 120 traders.
  • Marquisat market and Polo Beyris market — Fridays, 8:00–13:00.
  • Fish sold by professional fishermen every morning except Sunday, on the allées Marines.

See our guide to Bayonne.

Biarritz

  • Les Halles, near the Grande Plage: open every day from 7:30 — cheese, fish, cured meats, pastries, wine.
  • Farmers’ market around Les Halles on Saturdays, all year round.
  • Neighbourhood markets: Wednesdays in Saint-Martin, Fridays in Saint-Charles.
  • In summer, night markets at the Port des Pêcheurs (Wednesdays and Fridays) and on the quays (Tuesdays).

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

  • Les Halles — open every morning all year round, 7:00–13:00, with 37 stalls run by traders and producers.
  • Open-air market on the square in front (more than 70 stallholders) — Tuesday and Friday mornings all year round, and Saturday mornings in July and August.
  • Makers’ market on Sundays, from 1 June to 15 September.

North of the border: inland markets

South of the border: the big covered markets

La Bretxa, San Sebastián

Opened in 1870 on the Boulevard, at the entrance to the Parte Vieja (Old Town), the market takes its name from the breaches made in the city walls during the sieges of the town, notably on 31 August 1813. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00–20:00. San Martín market (1884), in the city centre, completes the picture. See our guide to San Sebastián.

La Ribera, Bilbao

Opened on 22 August 1929 in the Casco Viejo (Old Town), La Ribera market (architect: Pedro de Ispizua) has around 10,000 m² of retail space, making it one of the largest covered markets in Europe. It entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 as the most complete municipal market. The first phase of its rebuilding was inaugurated in 2010. See our guide to Bilbao.

Santo Domingo, Pamplona

Santo Domingo market (plaza de Santiago), built in 1876, brings together 45 stalls. Open Monday to Saturday, 8:00–14:00, and also on Fridays, 16:30–20:00. See our guide to Pamplona.

South of the border: farmers’ markets

Ordizia, on Wednesdays

Ordizia market (Goierri, Gipuzkoa) is held every Wednesday of the year. It was established by Queen Joanna I of Castile after the fire of 1512. You will find seasonal fruit and vegetables, mushrooms, Idiazabal cheese, honey, cider, txakoli and gâteaux basques. In early September, Ordizia’s Basque festival hosts a sheep’s cheese competition and auction.

Tolosa, on Saturdays

Every Saturday, the area’s farmers and livestock breeders gather at the Tinglado in Tolosa. It is also the town of the famous black bean.

Balmaseda, the medieval market

Every year in May, Balmaseda holds a two-day medieval market, with more than 200 stalls and locals in period costume.

Our tips

  • Come early: the best produce goes fast, and most markets are morning affairs.
  • Bring a bag and some cash for the small producers.

Sources

Ongi etorri — and happy market day!

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