Flea markets have become multi-faceted spaces, where you can just as easily buy a pair of eco-friendly trainers as you can enjoy the latest craft beer or pick up the most vintage items for next to nothing – second-hand, of course. Barter also plays a very important role, as do, of course, antiques, which can be found around Calle Ribera de Curtidores – the area occupied by El Rastro, in the central neighbourhood of La Latina, the former site of the tanneries, very close to the abattoir. The market’s name comes from the fact that, as the cattle were driven to the tanneries, they left a trail of blood, which gave rise to the name of this famous market. Every Sunday and on public holidays for over 400 years, thousands of people have gathered around these streets, rummaging through the stalls in search of relics from the past, works of art and old books.

And walking down Ribera de Curtidores, we reach the Matadero, the hub of several markets. Madrid Productores is one such market where you can spend the whole morning or the whole day with friends and family. More than 90 producers gather in Madrid’s Plaza del Matadero, almost always on the last weekend of the month, to offer their produce. In this way, they promote local, high-quality trade. In addition, another area of the Matadero also hosts the Madrid Design Market once a month, where you’ll find a wide range of food and drink, live concerts and plenty – and I mean plenty – of design. The next event will be on the weekend of 7 and 8 April.

From the Matadero, heading up the Paseo de las Delicias, lies the old Delicias railway station, inaugurated by Alfonso XII and his wife María Cristina in 1880. It currently houses the Railway Museum on a permanent basis, and also hosts the so-called Mercado de Motores on the second weekend of every month. Once again, music, fashion, design and gastronomy – particularly via food trucks – come together perfectly for visitors, who can also admire and even step inside the old locomotives and carriages that form part of the museum.

The first weekends of each month feature two notable markets: on the one hand, the Mercado de las Ranas, which offers a chance to explore the beautiful Barrio de las Letras in a festive, colourful and lively atmosphere. And on the other hand, the Salesas Village Festival between Campoamor and Santa Teresa streets, one of Madrid’s most beautiful and commercially interesting neighbourhoods.

These are just a few examples of the many markets and street markets organised by each neighbourhood or community in Madrid. A great way to spend Saturdays and Sundays as a couple, with family or with friends. With spring just round the corner, these markets are brimming with outdoor cafés, music and fun.