Who can still remember the “old” Spain, at the time of the Pesete?

Alongside many positive things, progress and globalization have unfortunately also brought about an ever greater convergence of traditions, dishes, fashions and consumer behaviour, with the result that many original things have been lost.

Franchises here, big chains there. The inner cities of the major metropolitan areas are becoming more and more alike, and even small towns are increasingly losing their own charm.

This makes it all the more pleasant to come across something original that has hardly changed over the decades. This regularly includes the markets of medium-sized to small towns. The offer is still very much geared towards the needs of the local population, without fast food chains, system catering businesses, industrial bakery vendors or flagship stores having taken over.

And so you can still shop in the Mercado de las Verónicas today, just as you did 50 years ago. Even small drugstores, which have presented a practically unchanged range for decades, make it possible to buy fragrances and cleaning products that you would look for in vain in the large department stores and supermarkets.

Local butchers and cheese counters sell international, national and local specialties.

But what stands out the most are the small bars and pubs in the corners of the market. There you can not only try their small delicacies in the form of tapas, but even have the fish and shellfish you have just bought just a few meters away prepared for you.

Shopping with a difference!