Mercado de Atarazanas (Shipyards Market), Malaga (must see)

When is a shipyard not a shipyard? When there are no ships, no yard, no water—and what you find instead is a market. The market’s name comes from Arabic, meaning “house of manufacture” or shipyard, referring to the Nasrid-era shipyards that once occupied this area during the Islamic period. When Málaga was under Muslim rule, this zone lay close to the shoreline and functioned as a centre for naval construction and repair. After the Christian conquest in the late 15th century, the shipyards gradually lost their original function, yet the name endured.

The present market building dates largely to the 19th century, when Málaga experienced an industrial boom. It incorporates iron architecture typical of the period, while preserving a key historical element: the monumental Nasrid marble gate that once formed part of the original shipyards. This gate, now integrated into the market’s façade, features carved vegetal motifs and stands as one of the few surviving architectural reminders of Málaga’s Islamic past within today’s urban fabric.

Inside the market, the spacious hall is organised into aisles of stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, meat, spices, and local specialities, offering a clear sense of Andalusian food culture. The stained-glass window above the main entrance depicts scenes from the city’s port and historic skyline. More than a place to shop, the market also functions as a lively social space where locals gather daily. And with its reputation for tapas, it’s easy to see why this is a popular meeting point.