Valencia’s Mercado Central is one of Europe’s oldest operational markets. It was built in the open air over a nearly 10-year period, and was officially inaugurated in 1928. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, it is the ideal place to experience the pulse of the local culture. Visitors can lose themselves in numerous passageways while discovering seasonal, local produce. Housed in an impressive Art Nouveau building, it is a wonderful example of 20th-century architecture. The imposing metal structure houses 900 small stalls, over an area covering 88,000 square feet.