Page 27 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2022 DISCOVERING MADRID
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El Rastro Flea Market
The first morning of our Madrid stay, we set
out to grocery shop and, just around the corner
from our La Latina apartment, we stumbled
across a gigantic flea market. We didn’t know it,
but we had discovered one of Madrid’s most
popular events held 9 a.m to 3 p.m. every Sun-
day and on holidays.
Tens of thousands shuffle shoulder to shoul-
der through this multi-block open-air market of
700 stalls selling clothing, jewelry, antiques,
vintage furniture, memorabilia, housewares,
and art. It’s a major social gathering for friends
and families who cap a morning of shopping
with a leisurely meal at one of the many venera-
ble tapas bars along the market’s streets..
As festive and colorful as Rastro is, the
crowds can be overwhelming. Frequently, we
moved from the packed streets to sidewalks be-
hind the booths, which were less mobbed. Occa-
sionally police set up entry checkpoints to
control access. The event also attracts pick-
pockets, so act accordingly.
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