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El Rastro Review

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El Rastro

Address: Ribera de los Curtidores s/n, Rastro, Madrid | Map It

Category: Markets/Bazaars
Location: Rastro and Lavapiés

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5

Fodor's Review:

Named for the arrastre (dragging) of animals in and out of the slaughterhouse that once stood here and, specifically, the rastro (blood trail) left behind, this site explodes into a rollicking flea market every Sunday from 10 to 2. For serious browsing and bargaining, any other morning is a better time to turn up treasures such as old iron grillwork, a marble tabletop, or a gilt picture frame, but Sunday brings out truly bizarre bric-a-brac ranging from stolen earrings to sent postcards to thrown-out love letters. Even so, people-watching is the best part.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by kcaJ from Atlanta on 10/29/09
What fun! Rastro is no longer, primarily a bird and antique market; rather it's a full fledge flea market with an astounding array of real and imitation items.

What your pockets and your little ones; there is constant contact and the crowds seem to move like the tide.

Watch for the gypsies too; pan handling can be an art (not necessiarly needing reward) when done right. Good bargains abound; but don't expect high quality, just plenty of fun.