Villena Market
The Villena Market is held in Villena (Alicante) and is open every Thursday. It is located at the Villena Fairgrounds. It is a general-interest market: its stalls offer a mix of food, fruits, and vegetables along with other typical items found at street markets. The stalls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hours may vary on holidays and special dates, so it’s advisable to check in advance.

What will I find at this market?
Generalist
Everything You Need to Know
Get to Know the Market
A little background
Founded in 1488.

he Thursday market in Villena has its origins in the free market privilege granted to the town in the 13th century, and it was held for centuries in the Plaza Mayor. In 1480, the Catholic Monarchs signed the General Confirmation of Villena’s Privileges—preserved in the Municipal Historical Archive—which ratified the town’s historical privileges, customs, and exemptions, including the free Thursday market.
The monarchs’ visit to Villena in 1488 became linked in local tradition to the townspeople’s defense of that market right, an episode that is reenacted today during the Medieval Festival. The weekly market continued to be held in the Plaza Mayor until the 1980s.
How to Find the Market
Address
Who's in the market?
A group of 90 sellers with valid authorization. Tap each card to see more details.
A unique experience
Tradition and Experience
A historic market, organized by the City Council with all the necessary safeguards.
Wide variety
Dozens of street vendors selling local products, handicrafts, and more.
Unique Setting
Enjoy the town's atmosphere and get to know the local shopkeepers.
Easy access
Well-connected and with a parking area nearby.
How to Get There and Park
Parking, public transportation, and services near the market.
⏱ Estimated time: 60–120 min
Where can I park?
How do I get there by public transportation?
You can park at Public parking (just a step away, 91 m away) or take train from Villena (the stop is 7 min on foot, 563 m away).
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♿ Accessibility for People with Limited Mobility
Market status regarding accessible ramps, restrooms, and parking.
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Upcoming Dates
Calculated automatically based on market trends and the holiday calendar.
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Thu8OctNext
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Thu15Oct
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Thu22Oct
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Thu29Oct
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Thu5Nov
Holidays are automatically excluded.
Nearby markets
Other markets located near this one due to their geographical proximity.
How to Get a Stall at the Villena Market
Would you like to set up a stall at the Villena Market market, located at Villena? To sell as a street vendor, you need a municipal street vending permit or license: this is issued by the town council, not the market itself, and typically requires that you be registered as a self-employed individual or a business, be in good standing with the tax authorities and Social Security, and have liability insurance that covers the stall.
Villena Market is held on Thursdays. The exact fee is set by the Villena town council; please check it before submitting your application.
Applications are submitted to the town council, usually online or in person, and may be granted directly (if there are open stalls) or through a public call for stall applications with a waiting list when demand exceeds the number of available stalls. You can download the municipal ordinance on street vending from Villena (check the town council’s official website to make sure it’s still in effect, in case it has been updated).
Check the procedure on the Villena town council website: https://www.villena.es.
- Contact the town council's commerce or markets department
- Gather the necessary documentation: registration as a self-employed individual or business, proof of being up to date with the tax authorities and Social Security, and liability insurance
- Submit the application for a street vending permit (through the online portal or at the registry office)
- Pay the applicable municipal fee, if required by the town council
- Pick up your authorization and bring it with you on market day
Frequently Asked Questions for Merchants
What do I need to set up a stall at the Villena Market market?
How much is the fee for the stall?
Where and when do I apply for the permit?
Who should I contact at the Villena town council?
Are you interested in this market? Write to us
Leave us your contact information, and we'll forward it to the town council so they can let you know how to get your stall.
Documents and Resources
All official market documentation in one place.
Villena Market — street market in the municipality of Villena
The “Villena Market” is one of the most popular street markets in the municipality of Villena, in the province of Alicante (Comunitat Valenciana). Its stalls offer a variety of items, including “textile products, footwear, fresh food, handicrafts, accessories, and household goods,” all in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that makes it a regular destination for locals and visitors alike. The municipality has 34,712 inhabitants.
Villena Market opens on Thursdays, from 08:00 – 14:00.
The tradition of the “Villena Market” dates back to the year 1488, when the first municipal permits gave shape to the market as we know it today. With centuries of history behind it (XV century), it remains an essential gathering place in the province of Alicante for street vendors and shoppers.
To get to the Villena Market by public transportation, the closest stop on the train is “Villena,” which is 563 meters away.
If the Villena Market is too far away, or if you want to plan a route through several markets in the area, here are the closest street markets by geographical proximity:
- Abastos San Cayetano Yecla Market (Yecla) 16 km
- Santa Pola Central Market (Santa Pola) 18 km
- El Mercaico de los Domingos (Yecla) 18 km
- La Virgen de la Cabeza Street Market (Elda) 18 km
See also all the practical information about the market: interactive map of the market · vendor directory · Villena Thursday Market.
Villena Market FAQs
Where is the "Villena Market"? Villena Market is located in the municipality of Villena, in the province of Alicante (Comunitat Valenciana).
What can you buy at the "Villena Market"? At Villena Market, you'll find textile products, footwear, fresh food, handicrafts, accessories, and household goods, among other typical items from street markets.
On which days is the "Villena Market" open? Villena Market opens on Thursdays, from 08:00 – 14:00.
What time does the "Villena Market" open and close? Villena Market is open from 08:00 – 14:00. We recommend arriving early to find the best stalls.
Market Calendar
Is the "Villena Market" open today? No, Villena Market is not open today, 6 October. The next market day will be Thursday 8 October.
Is the "Villena Market" open tomorrow? No, Villena Market isn't opening tomorrow, 7 October.
Villena Market—when is it open next? Villena Market is once again hosting Thursday 8 October 2026 (2 days from now). The schedule is available at from 08:00 to 14:00.