Mercado 4 (Market 4), Asuncion

Market 4 (or Mercado Cuatro, as it’s called locally) is one of the most vibrant and dynamic urban markets in Asunción. Nestled in the Pettirossi neighborhood and spilling into surrounding districts like San Roque, Ciudad Nueva, and Pinozá, this sprawling marketplace has become an essential hub for daily commerce, cultural exchange, and street-level storytelling.

Unlike many markets that lean toward tourist appeal, Market 4 is unapologetically local. Here, every day Paraguayans come to shop for everything from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and groceries to hammocks, clothing, electronics, and imported odds and ends. Its tightly packed corridors and colorful stalls evoke the feel of an Arab souk-buzzing with energy, layered with aromas, and alive with constant movement.

The origins of the market date back to the early 1940s, when workers from the old Guasu Market-once located where the Plaza de la Democracia now stands-were relocated to this site. Under the administration of General Higinio Morínigo, the government expropriated vacant land near Rodríguez de Francia Avenue, later expanding the market across Perú and Pettirossi streets.

Open daily (except for Sunday afternoons), Market 4 is not just a shopping destination but a microcosm of Paraguayan urban life. Bargain hunters, home cooks, merchants, and curious wanderers all converge here. Whether you're searching for a good deal, an authentic souvenir, or simply a slice of local life, Market 4 is one of Asunción’s must-experience places.