Many people like to visit the markets of each destination they go to, since these reflect the everyday life of the city. This is the case with Our Lady of Africa Market, popularly known as La Recova (egg market), located in the local capital. Tasting the best cheeses or fresh seafood can be more than a reason for you to visit.
Our Lady of Africa Market opened its gates in 1944 and, ever since, has been through multiple crises. Its last crisis, was resolved by a group of businessmen that formed a cooperative suggesting a project to the local government to manage the market, so that they don’t give up on the work of a lifetime. In fact, in 2018 this cooperative received the Golden medal from the Town Hall of Santa Cruz and the Canarian Government.
In La Recova, which is open every day through the year, can be found the municipal market. There you can taste the typical canarian fruits like the exotic mango, the much requested and expensive avocado or the delicious orange papayas. All fresh fruits are collected from the sellers themselves.
You will also be able to buy fresh fish or go to the ground floor and eat the best local seafood along with a glass of white wine. If you do go, make sure you try the barnacles (‘percebes’ in spanish), a crustacean found only in Spain, specifically in Galicia. We’re not going to lie. Barnacles are nothing but cheap and are visually unattractive, but it’s considered to be the king of seafood. There must be a reason, don’t you think?
It’s very complicated capturing them considering that fishermen have to confront the power of the sea to pull them out of the rocks. Careful! When you eat them make sure you have a few napkins and some cologne in your bag, because they’re so delicious that you’ll end up getting your hands dirty, just like a kid with a lollipop.
You will also be able to enjoy the delicious cheese found at the stalls of La Recova. There you can choose the quantity you’ll take, being able to previously taste it. Don’t miss out on the delicious Maxorata cheese, that has been chosen as the best one worldwide, just like the cheese from La Palma. A gastronomic delicacy in the middle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
On the outside of the building you’ll find two emblematic statues, that cannot go unnoticed: ‘La Lechera’ (The Milkmaid) located in front of the door, and the ‘Homenaje al chicharrero’ (Homage to the native man), that represents the sacrifice of two fishermen dragging their boat. There are also two images on the inside: a statue of the Virgin of Africa and another one of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary islands. It will be a wonderful discovery for photography and sculpture lovers.
Every month there are gastronomic acts organized, such as Christmas “chocolatadas” (hot cocoa parties) or tastings in the charge of different chefs. Also, there are occasional night events that mix music, gastronomy and a nice atmosphere, like the night of the Canaries (31/05), the night of Halloween (31/10) or the winter and summer party nights.
If you need to buy last minute gifts during the celebration of the Three Wise Men (Reyes Magos), La Recova can be the place for you, as it is open the night of the 5th of January. At the market there are different acts celebrated where many people can go dance and eat after the parade finishes, however at the flea market you’ll be able to find all types of objects to gift the most magical day of the year. The best jackets, trainers or t-shirts of futbol teams at a very good price.
The flea-market that is organized in the market every sunday morning is a key event in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Traders and purchasers of different parts of the map meet there and sell all kinds of things. And when we say ‘all kinds’ it is literal!
In every corner you will be able to find someone trying to sell you a ripped shoe or a flat tire. Also, relics like mobile phones from almost 20 years ago, second-hand clothes or electrical appliances of no use. Without a doubt, a big opportunity to get the best souvenirs at a really good price or simply just to have fun watching the imagination some people have! Although you might think it’s a total madness, you will surely end up buying something!
When you come to Tenerife, remember that Our Lady of Africa Marekt is a stop that you cannot forget to write in your itinerary. A mix of history, culture, gastronomy and a nice ambiance. The perfect place for all those photography lovers that would like to capture the architecture, the flowers that decorate the place, the tower or colors of La Recova.
Schedule of Our Lady of Africa Market
The schedule of the market is diurnal, from Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 14:00. On Sundays it opens an hour later, at 09:00, and it closes the same hour as during the week. While, the shopping mall opens from 09:00 to 21:00 and, on Sundays, from 09:00 to 15:00.
How to get to Our Lady of Africa Market
Arriving at Our Lady of Africa Market is possible using different ways. One of them is by car and parking won’t be an issue since there is a paid parking right in front of the market, by Avenida de San Sebastián. Another option could be to use the tram. Although it won’t drop you off right next to the market, you can use the line 1 till the stop of ‘Teatro Guimerá’ and walk towards Puente Serrador. After crossing the bridge, you’ll find La Recova.
Another option is to go by bus, or guagua as we like to call it here, since different lines can get you there. In fact, the bus station has a 10 minutes walking distance from the market. The closest stops are Casetas Azules, Tea, José Hernández Alfonso, Aguere and Miraflores. From these points there are also shifts to La Laguna or other spots of Santa Cruz, such as the lines 14 and 26 to La Laguna, 901 or 906 to Barrio La Salud, or 919 to Cuesta Piedra. There are also many other lines that you can find here.
Where to park close to the Our Lady of Africa Market
If you go by car, the best option is to park in the paid parking found inside the market, in Avenida de San Sebastián. You can also try parking close to Barranco de Santos, although almost always it’s an impossible mission. As a recommendation, better to not park in the area on Saturday nights as your car might not be there anymore when you go pick it up, or your belongings might have been vanished.
Additional information
On Mondays, many shops are closed. On Sundays the street of José Manuel Guimerá becomes paralyzed due to the flea-market that gets placed on it, so we don’t recommend passing from there. Furthermore, if you would like to know the following events that will be carried out in La Recova, click here.