La Merced Market, Mexico City

La Merced Market covers approximately 968,752 square feet (88,000 square meters) and houses over 5,500 merchants across seven interconnected buildings selling fruits, vegetables, meats, spices, flowers, and household items to millions of residents in the central area.

The market area has been a center of commerce since the early colonial era in the 16th century, with permanent structures first built in 1863 on the grounds of the old monastery and official opening in 1957.

Visitors can sample traditional street foods such as quesadillas made with Oaxaca cheese and fillings like stewed pork, huitlacoche, or squash flowers, along with tostadas featuring various toppings and homemade salsas prepared by local vendors.

The market operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is accessible through multiple metro stations, including La Merced station, which connects visitors easily to the city center and major commercial areas.

The market features traditional hand trucks called diablos with curved handles resembling devil horns, used to transport goods through narrow aisles packed with products from regions across Mexico including Chiapas, Veracruz, Jalisco, and Michoacán.